With support of a National Historical Publications and Records Commission Documenting Democracy Grant, this record series was completely digitized and item level processed by name in 2016. To search results, please visit the Legacy of Slavery database found at http://slavery2.msa.maryland.gov/pages/Search.aspx.

In 1805 the General Assembly passed a law to identify free African Americans and to control the availability of freedom papers. As the lawmakers explained: "great mischiefs have arisen from slaves coming into possession of certificates of free Negroes, by running away and passing as free under the faith of such certificates" (Chapter 66, Laws of 1805). The law required African Americans who were born free to record proof of their liberty in the county court. The court would then issue them a certificate of freedom. If the black person had already been manumitted, the court clerk or register of wills would look up the manumitting document before issuing the certificate of freedom. A typical certificate not only indicates how the individual became free, but also lists physical characteristics that could be used to establish identity. These include age, height, complexion, hair color and texture, as well as any distinguishing scars and/or marks.