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The Hall of Records, predecessor of the Maryland State Archives,
was created as an independent agency in 1935, charged with the
collection, custody, and preservation of the official records,
documents, and publications of the state (Chapter 18, Acts of
1935). Impetus for its development can be traced to the state's
tercentenary celebrations of 1934. The Maryland Tercentenary
Commission made a modern, centralized archives a key feature of
the commemoration of the state's 300th anniversary. A memorial
hall of records was proposed as early as 1928, and in 1931, the
General Assembly appropriated funds to erect an archives building
which was opened to the public in 1935. A Hall of Records
Commission was also created in 1935 to serve as management for
the archives; it took on an advisory role in 1984. The Hall of
Records was incorporated into the Department of General Services
in 1970 (Chapter 97, Acts of 1970). In 1984, it was renamed the
State Archives and became an independent agency within the office
of the Governor (Chapter 286, Acts of 1984).
The state archives serves as the central depository for
government records of permanent value. Its holdings date from
Maryland's founding in 1634, and include colonial and state
executive, legislative, and judicial records; county probate,
land, and court records; church records; business records; state
publications and reports; and special collections of private
papers, maps, photographs, and newspapers. These records are kept
in a humidity and temperature controlled environment and any
necessary preservation measures are conducted in the archives's
conservation laboratory.
State, county, and municipal government agencies may offer the
archives all files, documents, and records not in current use.
The records of all state agencies, boards, and commissions that
were abolished or have concluded their work must be transferred
to the archives. Departments and agencies must dispose of their
records according to established retention schedules approved by
the state archivist. Records found to be permanently valuable may
be transferred to the archives as determined by these schedules.
Records that are in the county courthouses created prior to
Maryland's ratification of the United States constitution on
April 28, 1788, are deposited at the archives. Current deeds,
mortgages, and releases recorded in the circuit courts are
microfilmed and preserved at the state archives, and it is the
official depository for duplicate copies of subdivision plats
formerly sent to the land office to insure against loss of
originals. The archives also preserves and makes accessible vital
records information, a responsibility shared with the Division of
Vital Records of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The archives maintains a collection of publications and reports
of state, county, and municipal agencies which it has collected
since 1947. It receives state publications and reports under the
state publication depository and distribution program established
in 1982. It is also the official depository for county charters,
codes, and laws, and the Department of Legislative Reference
deposits municipal charter amendments and annexations with the
archives after publication.
The archives creates historical exhibits and produces finding
aids, guides to research, directories, historical monographs, and
essays. It also compiles, edits, publishes, and distributes the
Maryland Manual, a biannual guide to Maryland government.
Independent of his duties as archivist, the State Archivist is
designated Commissioner of Land Patents and is responsible for
issuing land patents and conducting court hearings (Chapter 355,
Acts of 1967). Land patents, granting land in the state, were
issued by the proprietors during the colonial period and later by
the state. Though most land has been patented, land discovered to
be vacant due to survey errors or tract inaccessibility may be
patented after a title search is conducted.
The State Archivist also serves as the State Historical Records
Coordinator for the Maryland Advisory Board of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission. This board,
appointed by the governor, consists of seven members
representating archival and research institutions and
organizations in Maryland. The state advisory board works to
carry out the historical records program of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). The
commission supports preservation and accessibility of records and
cooperative efforts among institutions and organizations. In
conjunction with this mission, the advisory board evaluates
records grant proposals submitted to the NHPRC by state
institutions, sponsors surveys of the condition and needs of
historical records in the state and publishes survey results, and
develops and reviews NHPRC funded historical records projects
carried out in Maryland.
See also:
Maryland Tercentenary Commission. MSA SH154.
Hall of Records Commission. MSA SH226.