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Map of Maryland

Prior to 1683, land was granted to those who transported settlers to the colony. The names of such immigrants found in the land patents, 1633–80, are listed in Gust Skordas, ed., The Early Settlers of Maryland (1968; reprint; Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1986). Land patents, with indexes, from 1634 are at the Maryland Hall of Records in Annapolis, as are quit rents, rent rolls (1639–1776, incomplete), certificates of survey (1705 to date), and warrants and assignments (1634–1842). A separate index covers private and proprietary manors as found in the patent records. See Elizabeth Hartsook and Gust Skordas, Land Office and Prerogative Court Records of Colonial Maryland (1946; reprint; Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968, 1989).

Deeds, mortgages, and bills of sale were recorded in the county circuit court, where standard indexes are also available. Mortgages were often recorded separately in later years. Films of all county land records are available at the Maryland Hall of Records, which also has the original record books and indexes of many counties. Many microfilm copies are also available at the FHL. Early deeds could be recorded in both county courts and provincial and general courts. Indexes to the latter for 1658–1815, by name of person or tract, are available at the Hall of Records.

Background information can be found in Clarence P. Gould, The Land System in Maryland, 1720–1765 (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1913), and Paul H. Giddens, "Land Policies and Administration in Colonial Maryland, 1753–1769," Maryland Historical Magazine 28 (1933): 142–71.

Eastern States Office
Bureau of Land Management
7450 Boston Blvd.
Springfield, VA 22153
Tel: (703) 440-1600
FAX: (703) 440-1599

Maryland Historical Society
201 West Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(443) 685-3750, ext. 359

Allegany County
Allegany County Clerk
3 Pershing Street
Cumberland, MD 21502-3043
Telephone: (301) 777-5911

Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County Clerk
44 Calvert St.
Annapolis, MD 21401-1930
Telephone: (410) 318-6119

Baltimore County
Baltimore County Clerk
401 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Telephone: (410) 887-2601

Baltimore City
Baltimore City County Clerk
6550 Reisterstown Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21202-3417
Telephone: (410) 764-3038

Calvert County
Calvert County Clerk
175 Main St.
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Telephone: (410) 535-1600

Caroline County
Caroline County Clerk
P.O. Box 207
Denton, MD 21629-0207
Telephone: (410) 479-1811

Carroll County
Carroll County Clerk
225 N. Court St.
Westminster, MD 21157-5107
Telephone: (410) 876-2085

Cecil County
Cecil County Clerk of the Circuit Court
129 E. Main Street, Room 108
Elkton, MD 21921
Telephone: (410) 996-5376

Charles County
Charles County Clerk
P.O. Box B
La Plata, MD 20646-0167
Telephone: (301) 645-0500

Dorchester County
Dorchester County Clerk
P.O. Box 26
Cambridge, MD 21613-0026
Telephone: (410) 228-0480

Frederick County
Frederick County Clerk
100 W. Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Telephone: (301) 694-1976

Garrett County
Garrett County Clerk
203 South Fourth Street
Oakland, MD 21550-1535
Telephone: (301) 334-8970

Harford County
Harford County Clerk
20 W. Courtland St.
Bel Air, MD 21014-3833
Telephone: (410) 838-6000

Howard County
Howard County Clerk
3430 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043-4300
Telephone: (410) 992-2025

Kent County
Kent County Clerk
103 N. Cross St.
Chestertown, MD 21620-1512
Telephone: (410) 778-4600

Montgomery County
Montgomery County Clerk
101 Monroe Street
Rockville, MD 20850-2540
Telephone: (240) 777-9460

Prince George's County
Prince George's County Clerk
Administration Building
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3050
Telephone: (301) 952-4576

Queen Anne's County
Queen Anne's County Clerk
107 North Liberty Street
Centreville, MD 21617
Telephone: (410) 758-0322

St. Mary's County
St. Mary's County Health Department
P.O. Box 316 Peabody Street
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Telephone: (301) 475-475-4427

Somerset County
Somerset County Clerk
P.O. Box 99
Princess Ann, MD 21853
Telephone: (410) 651-1555

Talbot County
Talbot County Clerk
Courthouse
Easton, MD 21601
Telephone: (410) 822-2401

Washington County
Washington County Clerk
Summit Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Telephone: (301) 790-7991

Wicomico County
Wicomico County Clerk
P.O. Box 198
Salisbury, MD 21801
Telephone: (410) 548-4801

Worcester County
Worcester County Clerk
Courthouse
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Telephone: (410) 632-1194