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Last Updated: Monday, 22-Jul-2002 14:49:09 MDT Field Trip to Baltimore |
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TOPIC: MORE WHAT TO SEE - Ideas received since I returned home From: Gary B. Ruppert - "I know you mentioned planning your 'next trip', so I am offering a few additional suggestions to you. First you should make every effort to visit the Baltimore City Archives, repository of the city government's papers since 1797. This is not primarily a genealogy resource but is set up for use of the government, legislators, etc. They do possess a huge WPA cardfile index to city government papers through about 1930 which contain the names of petitioners, letter writers, accidental deaths, taxes, polls, etc, etc. I have found original letters and signatures of many, many of my ancestors in this facility. They also have the original Passenger Lists for Baltimore, some original tax and voters poll lists as well as many other collections. Remember, this is not primarily a facility intended for genealogical research but is open to the public. I would definitely call in advance. Secondly, although you mentioned the Maryland Historical Society, you did not appear to use their manuscript collections. This is another wonderful resource which is mostly indexed (though in a bit of a bizarre set up). Especially useful here is a collection of funeral home records that have been indexed. There are a number of other business records, etc. The manuscript room is closed on Saturday and I believe now requires a telephone call in advance. Also the MHS has a nice photograph collection. It will soon (?) be searchable on line, but I don't know when. There are some (human) subjects identified in the collection but mostly you will come away with a better sense of how the city appeared and functioned. You should plan on spending some time at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. The visit you had to Zion (where nearly all of my ancestors attended at some point) I am certain was quite informative for you. However, the entirety of their ecclesiastic records are available on microfilm at the MSA. There are of course many other Lutheran and additional denominational congregational records available at the MSA." From: Chip White - [The following excerpts were taken from Chip's post to the LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS mail list. The post, "Research Rating!" was brought to my attention by Kitty Crowley.] 1. National Archives....You must know how, when, where & whom you are looking for or your wasting time. Been there...done it several... 2. Lib. of Congress.... a little better, very small research area, if catalog cards are used, can take several hours to pull the book...be sure its the one you want. This is referring only to genealogy. The rest is unbelievable...a must see. Staff; will give instructions so fast and turn away before you can say "what?" 3. DAR ... The only place you can go in DC., and just plain search from scratch and come out ahead. Regardless of how crowded, it wont interfere. If no seating is left on main floor, go up to the tables or desks on the second floor balcony over looking the library. One area is for published family books (thousands) A - Z. The main floor is rowed by States, than counties. Upstairs everything else, including most Countries around the world. Mon - Fri. Closed Sat. Sunday 12-4PM. The best for multi State search.......in detail. Staff; Kind, though little help its not really needed here. 3. Society of Cincinnati... Mutimillion dollar refit...Huge library the most complete history of persons & events of Revolutionary war..bar none! Reservation needed, been there twice, only person besides the librarian. Five minuets, you can find anything promise. Have at least one family members name who served ready while making the reservation, they can refuse you. 4. Maryland State Archives ... As earlier stated by other Rooters, frustrating alone even if you find a reader that works half way. Very under staffed, though they are understanding and try to be helpful. It works ok if again you know who, when and where. 5. McNabb Research Center, Salisbury ...For Eastern Shore genealogy and history ...No wasted space. Though small in space, it works. For the meek beginner or a blood sucking, bone hungry I want to know everything kind of researcher ...this is the place .. period. As busy as my life is, I have no time to waste "special time" and get frustrated even with my self when I`m not sure what I`m looking at times. At McNabb I have stumbled by accident into more family history than knowing what I was looking for at other libraries. Staff; When not real real busy they will get you started, (walk you around, not a point there) and darned if they wont come back and check on how your making out. Common place to see a staff member as well as the director pull up a chair with a researcher, quickly review their research, than advice on additional possibilities of sources or ideas. They have scraped me from the brick wall more than once, that's the Gods truth. 6.Maryland Historical Society .. Only been there twice with little time, but was pleased and will go back. Copying very expensive .. I think. Unlike DAR or McNabb where you can freely talk with other researchers, its a very quiet environment. Staff; They will greet you at the door, than disappear. If you find them later, don`t ask ..I swear the`ll bite your head off. 7. The LDR list [the LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS mail list].. When its too cold or too hot in the season and most stay indoors..the data flows. I could go on and on but will spare you. Combined and used ins ink with the Web sites, this Rooters have become a irreplaceable source. At least four times a year I will receive to die for info from this list that causes me take a day and drive to the Shore to see for my self. The annual gathering of fellow researchers for this list is creeping up soon....come see, and experience your ancestral stomping grounds. 8. Dover, De. Fantastic place and resources. Staff knows their there for you, it shows. 9. Eastern Shore Library at Accomac, ok, fair maybe I missed something. Now the people of Accomac, Co. will stop their day for you. Chances are, if your on this list, your folks probably started or stopped at one time on their way to Maryland. 10. Don`t forget the Virginia Eastern Shore. Families very tied in together with those in Maryland. Serious research and researchers no doubt. Visit http://www.esva.net/ghotes"
who have allowed me to include their suggestions on these pages.  Field Trip to Baltimore: Planning Ahead The Visit |