Maryland Court Records: Difference between revisions
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| link3=[[Maryland, United States Genealogy|Maryland]] | |||
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| link5=[[Maryland Court Records|Court Records]] | |||
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==Online Records== | |||
*'''1790-1871:''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1248/ U.S. Circuit Court Criminal Case Files, 1790-1871] at Ancestry ($), images only | |||
=== Locate recent court cases online === | === Locate recent court cases online === | ||
Court Cases can be an outstanding source of genealogical and biographical data on ancestors. [ | Court Cases can be an outstanding source of genealogical and biographical data on ancestors. [https://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/ Maryland's Case Search] allows users to type in the name and quickly search various court records, or to search by court case number. To open the online search database, simply click on the checkbox to agree to the terms of use, and click "Continue." The following screen will allow you to search for an ancestor's name. Court cases go back as far as the 1970s in some cases, but most only date back to the late 1990s. Click [https://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/ here] to get started. | ||
=== Clickable Circuit Courthouse Map === | === Clickable Circuit Courthouse Map === | ||
One of the best ways to locate records on ancestors is to contact individual courthouses specific to the area where your ancestor lived. Circuit courts often contained divorce records, guardianship records, and other civil and community dispute cases. Contact the court clerk to learn about the records | One of the best ways to locate records on ancestors is to contact individual courthouses specific to the area where your ancestor lived. Circuit courts often contained divorce records, guardianship records, and other civil and community dispute cases. Contact the court clerk to learn about the records available for specific counties and courthouses. Locate various circuit courthouses using the [https://www.mdcourts.gov/circuit Circuit Court Map].<br> | ||
For a list of all Maryland Circuit Courts see the [ | For a list of all Maryland Circuit Courts see the [https://guide.msa.maryland.gov/pages/viewer.aspx?page=circuitcourts Guide to Government Records] at Maryland State Archives. | ||
=== Clickable District Courthouse Map === | === Clickable District Courthouse Map === | ||
Locate district courts using the [ | Locate district courts using the [https://www.mdcourts.gov/district/directories/courtmap District Court Map]. Most courts include a toll-free number. Contact the court clerk to learn more about the records available for the specific District Court | ||
=== Maryland Court Record Time Periods === | === Maryland Court Record Time Periods === | ||
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Major Maryland courts that have kept records of genealogical value include the following: | Major Maryland courts that have kept records of genealogical value include the following: | ||
'''1637-1805'''<nowiki>: | '''1637-1805'''<nowiki>: The Provincial Court (later General Court) was a statewide court that ruled on capital crimes, land disputes, and other civil matters.</nowiki> | ||
'''1637-1851'''<nowiki>: | '''1637-1851'''<nowiki>: County courts were county-wide courts that had jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. County courts were replaced by circuit courts.</nowiki> | ||
'''1668-1851: | '''1668-1851: ''' The Chancery Court was a statewide court with jurisdiction over equity cases, such as divorces, name changes, mortgage foreclosures, civil damage suits, and guardianships. | ||
'''1776-present''' | '''1776-present:''' The Court of Appeals is the highest court in the state with jurisdiction over criminal, civil, and probate appeals. | ||
'''1800s-present: | '''1800s-present: ''' District courts, known by several different titles prior to 1971, have jurisdiction over lesser criminal and civil cases. There are 12 judicial districts. | ||
'''1851-present: | '''1851-present: ''' Circuit courts have county-wide jurisdiction over major civil and criminal cases and appellate jurisdiction over district courts. These courts replaced the county courts. | ||
Additional types of court records are described in [[Maryland Probate Records]] and [[Maryland Naturalization and Citizenship]]. | Additional types of court records are described in [[Maryland Probate Records]] and [[Maryland Naturalization and Citizenship]]. | ||
=== Court Records available through the Maryland State Archives | === Court Records available through the Maryland State Archives === | ||
The [ | The [https://msa.maryland.gov/ Maryland State Archives] has all the original records and indexes of the [https://guide.msa.maryland.gov/pages/viewer.aspx?page=courtsbefore1776 Provincial, General, and Chancery courts]. The state archives also has many of the original records and indexes of the county, circuit, and district courts and the Court of Appeals, often into the twentieth century. Some of the Provincial Court records have been published in the Archives of Maryland (see [[Maryland Public Records]]). The Maryland State Archives also has a collection of miscellaneous court papers for the years 1729 to 1904. The collection contains naturalizations, county court cases, manumissions, mortgages, depositions, bonds, voting, and other records. The Archives also has an index to this collection produced by the Historical Records Survey. See a list of the [https://guide.msa.maryland.gov/pages/viewer.aspx?page=indices#court Court Records] available through the Maryland State Archives, and learn how to [https://guide.msa.maryland.gov/pages/viewer.aspx?page=placeorder order these digital records online].<br> | ||
Those original county records on microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan (see Papenfuse's inventory in the [[Maryland Archives and Libraries]]). Additional resources include: | Those original county records on microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan (see Papenfuse's inventory in the [[Maryland Archives and Libraries]]). Additional resources include: | ||
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*''The County Courthouses and Records of Maryland'' (2 vols); Morris L., Radoff, G. Skordas and P. R. Jacoobsen, pub. 1960-1963, Annapolis, Maryland | *''The County Courthouses and Records of Maryland'' (2 vols); Morris L., Radoff, G. Skordas and P. R. Jacoobsen, pub. 1960-1963, Annapolis, Maryland | ||
=== <br>Maryland Court Records at the | === <br>Maryland Court Records at the FamilySearch Library <br> === | ||
The | The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah has the following records available on microform: | ||
*General Court judgments, 1777 to 1805 ( | *General Court judgments, 1777 to 1805 (FS Library films {{FSC|308505|author-id|disp=013038}}-62). | ||
*Provincial Court judgments, 1679 to 1778 ( | *Provincial Court judgments, 1679 to 1778 (FS Library films {{FSC|271666|title-id|disp=012941}}-68). See [[Maryland Public Records]] for published records, 1637 to 1683. | ||
*Court of Appeals judgments and decrees, 1788 to 1891 ( | *Court of Appeals judgments and decrees, 1788 to 1891 (FS Library films {{FSC|282748|title-id|disp=12999}}-13037) | ||
*Some county court records. | *Some county court records. | ||
U.S. district court dockets and U.S. circuit court case files, dockets, and minutes (which include some naturalization proceedings) from 1790 to 1911 are at the National Archives—Mid-Atlantic Region at http://www.archives.gov/midatlantic/. The minutes have been microfilmed and are available at the | U.S. district court dockets and U.S. circuit court case files, dockets, and minutes (which include some naturalization proceedings) from 1790 to 1911 are at the National Archives—Mid-Atlantic Region at http://www.archives.gov/midatlantic/. The minutes have been microfilmed and are available at the FamilySearch Library (FS Library films {{FSC|227415|title-id|disp=940136}}-42). | ||
=== Indirect participation in Court Cases: Depositions === | === Indirect participation in Court Cases: Depositions === | ||
| Line 61: | Line 64: | ||
Many people were called to testify in court cases and to give a deposition, or testimony of relevant events. The following books contain abstracts of many of these depositions: | Many people were called to testify in court cases and to give a deposition, or testimony of relevant events. The following books contain abstracts of many of these depositions: | ||
*Peden, Henry C., Jr. ''Maryland Deponents 1634-1799''. Two Volumes. Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publications, 1991. ( | *Peden, Henry C., Jr. ''Maryland Deponents 1634-1799''. Two Volumes. Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publications, 1991. (FS Library book {{FSC|504432|title-id|disp=975.2 P28p}} and P28pa.) This series gives the name of the deponent, age when known, and source where the original record can be found. | ||
*Hooper, Debbie. ''Abstracts of Chancery Court Records of Maryland, 1669-1792''. Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publications, 1996. ( | *Hooper, Debbie. ''Abstracts of Chancery Court Records of Maryland, 1669-1792''. Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publications, 1996. (FS Library book {{FSC|767091|title-id|disp=975.2 P28h}}) | ||
The Place Search of the | The Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog lists more of these records under: | ||
MARYLAND - COURT RECORDS | MARYLAND - COURT RECORDS | ||
MARYLAND, [COUNTY] - COURT RECORDS {{Maryland|Maryland}} | MARYLAND, [COUNTY] - COURT RECORDS | ||
{{Template:Pros-MD}} | |||
{{Maryland|Maryland}} | |||
[[Category:Maryland | [[Category:Maryland, United States]][[Category:Court records by U.S. state]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:03, 19 April 2024
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Online Records[edit | edit source]
- 1790-1871: U.S. Circuit Court Criminal Case Files, 1790-1871 at Ancestry ($), images only
Locate recent court cases online[edit | edit source]
Court Cases can be an outstanding source of genealogical and biographical data on ancestors. Maryland's Case Search allows users to type in the name and quickly search various court records, or to search by court case number. To open the online search database, simply click on the checkbox to agree to the terms of use, and click "Continue." The following screen will allow you to search for an ancestor's name. Court cases go back as far as the 1970s in some cases, but most only date back to the late 1990s. Click here to get started.
Clickable Circuit Courthouse Map[edit | edit source]
One of the best ways to locate records on ancestors is to contact individual courthouses specific to the area where your ancestor lived. Circuit courts often contained divorce records, guardianship records, and other civil and community dispute cases. Contact the court clerk to learn about the records available for specific counties and courthouses. Locate various circuit courthouses using the Circuit Court Map.
For a list of all Maryland Circuit Courts see the Guide to Government Records at Maryland State Archives.
Clickable District Courthouse Map[edit | edit source]
Locate district courts using the District Court Map. Most courts include a toll-free number. Contact the court clerk to learn more about the records available for the specific District Court
Maryland Court Record Time Periods[edit | edit source]
Major Maryland courts that have kept records of genealogical value include the following:
1637-1805: The Provincial Court (later General Court) was a statewide court that ruled on capital crimes, land disputes, and other civil matters.
1637-1851: County courts were county-wide courts that had jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. County courts were replaced by circuit courts.
1668-1851: The Chancery Court was a statewide court with jurisdiction over equity cases, such as divorces, name changes, mortgage foreclosures, civil damage suits, and guardianships.
1776-present: The Court of Appeals is the highest court in the state with jurisdiction over criminal, civil, and probate appeals.
1800s-present: District courts, known by several different titles prior to 1971, have jurisdiction over lesser criminal and civil cases. There are 12 judicial districts.
1851-present: Circuit courts have county-wide jurisdiction over major civil and criminal cases and appellate jurisdiction over district courts. These courts replaced the county courts.
Additional types of court records are described in Maryland Probate Records and Maryland Naturalization and Citizenship.
Court Records available through the Maryland State Archives[edit | edit source]
The Maryland State Archives has all the original records and indexes of the Provincial, General, and Chancery courts. The state archives also has many of the original records and indexes of the county, circuit, and district courts and the Court of Appeals, often into the twentieth century. Some of the Provincial Court records have been published in the Archives of Maryland (see Maryland Public Records). The Maryland State Archives also has a collection of miscellaneous court papers for the years 1729 to 1904. The collection contains naturalizations, county court cases, manumissions, mortgages, depositions, bonds, voting, and other records. The Archives also has an index to this collection produced by the Historical Records Survey. See a list of the Court Records available through the Maryland State Archives, and learn how to order these digital records online.
Those original county records on microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan (see Papenfuse's inventory in the Maryland Archives and Libraries). Additional resources include:
- The County Courthouses and Records of Maryland (2 vols); Morris L., Radoff, G. Skordas and P. R. Jacoobsen, pub. 1960-1963, Annapolis, Maryland
Maryland Court Records at the FamilySearch Library
[edit | edit source]
The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah has the following records available on microform:
- General Court judgments, 1777 to 1805 (FS Library films 013038-62).
- Provincial Court judgments, 1679 to 1778 (FS Library films 012941-68). See Maryland Public Records for published records, 1637 to 1683.
- Court of Appeals judgments and decrees, 1788 to 1891 (FS Library films 12999-13037)
- Some county court records.
U.S. district court dockets and U.S. circuit court case files, dockets, and minutes (which include some naturalization proceedings) from 1790 to 1911 are at the National Archives—Mid-Atlantic Region at http://www.archives.gov/midatlantic/. The minutes have been microfilmed and are available at the FamilySearch Library (FS Library films 940136-42).
Indirect participation in Court Cases: Depositions[edit | edit source]
Many people were called to testify in court cases and to give a deposition, or testimony of relevant events. The following books contain abstracts of many of these depositions:
- Peden, Henry C., Jr. Maryland Deponents 1634-1799. Two Volumes. Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publications, 1991. (FS Library book 975.2 P28p and P28pa.) This series gives the name of the deponent, age when known, and source where the original record can be found.
- Hooper, Debbie. Abstracts of Chancery Court Records of Maryland, 1669-1792. Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publications, 1996. (FS Library book 975.2 P28h)
The Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog lists more of these records under:
MARYLAND - COURT RECORDS
MARYLAND, [COUNTY] - COURT RECORDS