Maryland State Archives - Guide to Government Records

Probate Records

To find a record, you'll need to use the archives' searchroom computers. Request an appointment so that our staff can best assist you. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Benefits include: no wait time for help or for a workspace, ability to quickly ask an Archivist any questions, and most importantly a guarantee that your record will be on site. Visitors may also walk-in without an appointment.

Introduction

Maryland’s probate records range from major records such as wills, inventories, and accounts to less well known documents such as renunciations, petitions, and indentures.

What can I do from home?

You can search indexes. Certain time frames and counties may also have scans of original records available online. After you find the index, record the information it provides and use that information to find the record. Make sure to note all information available in the index.

What years do we have probate records?

From 1634 to 1777, records were kept at the provincial (colonial) level and at the county level. The records we have vary by year, county, and record type. It is important find the index first, in order to then find the record you want.

What do I do if I am unsure of the county?

For a probate record from 1777 and earlier, click on any county name below, and use the indexes. The information you find in the index will provide information about the county. Use that information to find the record.

Find a Probate Record :

To find a record, you'll need to use the archives' searchroom computers.

Select the county of the probate record below

Allegany County

Formed in 1789 from Washington County

Probate Records

Introduction

What can I do from home?

What years do we have probate records?

What do I do if I am unsure of the county?

Find a Probate Record :

Select the county of the probate record below

Allegany County

Indexes

1777 and Earlier Records

Accounts

Inventories

Wills

Other records

Indexes

Records

Accounts

Inventories

Wills

Estate Docket

Other Records

Anne Arundel County

1777 and Earlier Indexes

Records

Accounts

Inventories

Wills

Other Records

Indexes

Accounts Index

Inventories Index

Wills Index

Estate Index

Records

Accounts

Inventories

Wills

Estate Dockets

Estate Papers

Other Records:

Baltimore City

1777 and Earlier Indexes

1777 and Earlier Records

Accounts

Inventories

Wills

Other Records

Indexes

1778 and After - Records

Accounts

Inventories

Wills

Estate Dockets

Estate Papers

Other Records

Baltimore County

1777 and Earlier Indexes

1777 and Earlier Records

Accounts

Inventories

Wills

Other records

Indexes

Accounts Index:

Inventories Index:

Wills Index:

Estate Docket Index:

Records

Accounts

Inventories

Estate Records

Estate Dockets

Estate Papers

Other Records

Calvert County

1777 and Earlier Indexes

1777 and Earlier Records

Accounts

Inventories

Wills