Caroline County, Maryland Genealogy
Guide to Caroline County, Maryland ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Caroline County was created 15 Mar 1774[2] and was named for Lady Caroline Eden, wife of Maryland's last colonial governor, Robert Eden. Its county seat is Denton. It is located in the east-central area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse
Caroline County Courthouse
P O Box 207
109 Market Street, Room 123
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: 410-479-1811
Caroline County Website
Clerk Circuit Court has marriage, divorce, court and land records from 1774.
Register of Wills has death and probate records. [4]
Caroline County, Maryland Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1865[6] | 1774 | 1898 | 1774 | 1774 | 1774 | 1790 |
Record Loss
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
For tips on accessing Caroline County, Maryland Genealogy census records online, see: Maryland Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1790 | 9,506 | — |
| 1800 | 9,226 | −2.9% |
| 1810 | 9,453 | 2.5% |
| 1820 | 10,108 | 6.9% |
| 1830 | 9,070 | −10.3% |
| 1840 | 7,806 | −13.9% |
| 1850 | 9,692 | 24.2% |
| 1860 | 11,129 | 14.8% |
| 1870 | 12,101 | 8.7% |
| 1880 | 13,766 | 13.8% |
| 1890 | 13,903 | 1.0% |
| 1900 | 16,248 | 16.9% |
| 1910 | 19,216 | 18.3% |
| 1920 | 18,652 | −2.9% |
| 1930 | 17,387 | −6.8% |
| 1940 | 17,549 | 0.9% |
| 1950 | 18,234 | 3.9% |
| 1960 | 19,462 | 6.7% |
| 1970 | 19,781 | 1.6% |
| 1980 | 23,143 | 17.0% |
| 1990 | 27,035 | 16.8% |
| 2000 | 29,772 | 10.1% |
| 2010 | 33,066 | 11.1% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Federal Census reports available 1800-1930 including slave and veterans schedules.
Church Records
- 1668-1995 Maryland, Church Records, 1668-1995 at FamilySearch — index- How to Use this Collection
- Maryland State Archives Guide to Maryland Religious Records is not intended to be a complete listing of all Religious institutions in Maryland. It was originally based upon the churches recorded by the Federal Works Progress Administration during a records survey conducted from 1935 to 1941. It has been expanded by later acquisitions from religious organizations to the Maryland State Archives. Search for church records at the Archives by denomination, by county or by title.
Church of England
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
- 1897-1952 Maryland, Baltimore Passenger Lists Index, 1897-1952 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
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Genealogies
- Barnes, Robert W., F. Edward Wright, Vernon L. Skinner and Henry C. Peden. Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. 23 vols. Westminster, Md.: Family Line, 1996-2003; Lewes, Del.: Delmarva Roots and Colonial Roots, 2007. FS Library US/CAN Book 975.21 D2b v. 1 ff. [Caroline County families appear in Vols. 7 and 11.]
- Genn - Hillman, Ralph E. "James Genn of Northumberland County, Virginia, and Some of His Descendants," The American Genealogist, Vol. 72, No. 1 (Jan. 1997):32-38; Vol. 72, No. 2 (Apr. 1997):101-108.
- Wright - Wright, Charles W. The Wright Ancestry of Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset and Wicomico Counties Maryland. Baltimore: Baltimore City Printing and Binding Co., 1907. Available at FS Library
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
Maryland State Archives has uploaded free images and indexes to the complete series of Caroline County Deed Books (1774-present). Visit their site to find the land records that interest you: A Digital Image Retrieval System for Land Records in Maryland. (Free registration is required.)
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- History of Caroline County, Maryland from its Beginning. 1920. Federalsburg, Maryland : J.W. Stowell Printing Co. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
for more resources
Migration
Military Records
Revolutionary War
Caroline County men served in the 5th Maryland Regiment.[9]
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841. 1967 reprint: FS Catalog Collection 973 X2pc 1840. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Maryland, Caroline County on page 127.
War of 1812
- List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance... Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. FS Catalog Collection 973 M2Lp v. 5. Online at: Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Vol. 5, Maryland, Caroline County, pp. 139-140. Identifies War of 1812 veterans living in this county in 1883.
- Wright, F. Edward Caroline County (Maryland) militia in the War of 1812, (1977) pages 65.
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Maryland, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 Maryland, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index- How to Use this Collection
Regiments. Service men in Caroline served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Caroline:
- - 1st Regiment, Maryland Eastern Shore Infantry, Company D, E, F, and G:
World War II
- 1940-1945 Maryland, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
Naturalization and Citizenship
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Maryland, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- Online Digitized Newspapers at Maryland State Archives. Caroline County newspapers are identified in "Guide to Maryland Newspapers" at Maryland State Archives.
Obituaries
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- Maryland, Wills and Probate Records at findmypast - index
- 1634-1777 Maryland, Index To Colonial Probate Records, 1634-1777 at findmypast - index
- 1634-1777 Probate Records, Colonial Index, 1634-1777 online at Maryland State Archives website - free
- 1635–1743 Maryland Calendar of Wills 1635-1743 at Ancestry — index & images $
- 1635–1777 Maryland Wills and Probate Records 1635-1777 at Ancestry — index & images $
- 1796–1940 Maryland Probate Estate and Guardianship Files , 1796-1940 at FamilySearch images - How to Use this Collection
- Caroline County, Index to Will and Probate Records at Maryland Genealogical Society, index
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records
- 1783 Caroline County Tax List of 1783 at Maryland State Archives. Alphabetical index to names to all property owners assessed. The index cards include county, hundred, names of tracts of land and whether individuals were paupers or single males as provided in the law.
Vital Records
Birth
- 1865-1884 Births recorded by the Circuit Court in Series C474 at Maryland State Archives.
- 1898-Onward Births recorded in Maryland Counties. Scroll to sections "Maryland Counties (1898 to 1923)" and "Maryland Counties (1924)" at Maryland State Archives.
Marriage
- 1658-1940 Maryland County Marriages, 1658-1940 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1666-1970 Maryland Marriages, 1666-1970 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
- 1774-1815 Marriage Licenses of Caroline County, Maryland, 1774-1815 at Ancestry ($). Also in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 1774-1778: Vol. 28 (1904):209-215; 1779-1799: Vol. 28 (1904):320-345; 1800-1815: Vol. 28 (1904):428-455. For free online access, see WeRelate.
Death
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Caroline County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Maryland Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Dover Delaware FamilySearch Center
- Winterthur Library - an affiliate library.
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Caroline County. For state-wide library facilities, see Maryland Archives and Libraries.
Caroline County Public Library
100 Market Street
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: 410-479-1343
Website
Multiple locations
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Caroline County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Maryland Societies.
Caroline Historical Society
The Museum of Rural Life
Ridgely Historical Society
16 N. Second St.
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: 410-479-2730
Email: info@carolinehistory.org
Website
Greensboro Historical Society
111 South Main Street
Greensboro, MD 21639
Phone: 410-482-2100
Email: gpnash1@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Preston Historical Society
P.O. Box 661
167 Main Street
Preston, MD 21655
Phone: 410-200-6547
Email: prestonhistorical@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Upper Shore Genealogical Society of Maryland
P.O. Box 275
Easton, MD 21601
Email: USGSMD@yahoo.com
Website
Websites
- The Caroline County MDGenWeb Project, a member of The MDGenWeb Project, an affiliate of The USGenWeb Project
- "Caroline Co." in Genealogical Sources in Periodicals at The Maryland State Archives.
- The USGenWeb Archives Project, Caroline County
- FamilySearch Catalog - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Maryland.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Individual County Chronologies, https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/MD_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Caroline County, Maryland," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caroline_County,_Maryland&oldid=1220730707 (accessed May 8, 2024).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Maryland.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Caroline County, Maryland. Page 317-318 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 308-309.
- ↑ Maryland State Archives, Guide to Government Records, Birth Records
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Maryland.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Caroline County, Maryland," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_County,_Maryland, accessed 7 August 2018.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "5th Maryland Regiment," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Maryland_Regiment, accessed 31 May 2012.