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Dorchester County, Maryland

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

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The exact date and legal origin of Dorchester County are unknown, but it was in existence by February 16, 1668/69, when a writ was issued to the county sheriff by the Lord Proprietary and was formed as an Original County. The County was named for a form of Dorset; the Earl of Dorset. a family friend of the Calverts (the founding family of the Maryland colony). The County Seat is Cambridge. There are gaps in the court records. Some were probably lost in a fire in 1852.

Counties adjacent to Dorchester County are Caroline County (north), Sussex County, Delaware (northeast), Wicomico County (east), Somerset County, Talbot County (northwest).

Dorchester CountyCities Include Cambridge. Towns Include Brookview, Church Creek, East New Market, Eldorado, Galestown, Hurlock, Secretary, Vienna.Communities Include Bishops Head-Toddville, Crapo, Crocheron, Elliott-Salem, Fishing Creek-Hoopersville, Linkwood, Madison-Woolford, Rhodesdale, Taylors Island, Wingate. (Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people and listed in many collections of towns, but they lack local government.)

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Maryland Land Records, Marriage Records, Court, Tax & Probate Records

Government records of Dorchester County are available in Original, Microfilm and Digital formats from the Maryland State Archives The Official County website is located at http://www.docogonet.com/index.php?page=local_government.See also Courthouse History.

NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. There are gaps in the court records. Some were probably lost in a fire in 1852.

Dorchester County Register of Wills/ Clerk of Orphan's Court has Probate Records from 1852 and is located at the courthouse, 206 High St., Cambridge, MD 21613;

The Register of Wills is responsibl for appointing personal representatives to administer decedents estates and for overseeing the proper and timely administration of these proceedings. We also perform the following duties: assist and advise the public in the preparation of all required forms; maintain and preserve the permanent record of all proceedings; serve as the Clerk to the Orphans Court; track estates and refer delinquent matters to the Court; determine and collect inheritance taxes and probate fees/court costs; audit accounts of personal representatives and guardians; and, verify compliance with court orders.

Dorchester County Circuit Court Clerk has Land Records from 1669 and Marriage Records from earliest to 1919 and is located at the courthouse, 206 High Street, P.O. Box 150, Cambridge, Maryland 21613 . Phone Number: 410-228-0481, 410-228-0480

The Clerk's responsibilities include supervising Clerk's office personnel in the civil, criminal, courtroom clerks, business license, marriage license, land records, and juvenile units.

There are a few online databases for Court, Land and Probate Records which include: Maryland Calendar of Wills, Maryland Marriages, 1655-1850 and Maryland Marriages, 1667-1899.

The earliest tax records are to be found among the proprietary papers, dating from the 1630s. At the Maryland State Archives is a tax list for St. Anne's Parish, Anne Arundel County, 1764-66. Also here are the surviving 1798 U.S. direct tax records, for Anne Arundel County (indexed), Baltimore County and City, and the counties of Caroline, Charles, Harford, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Saint Mary's, Somerset, and Talbot.

Below is a list of online resources for Dorchester County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Dorchester County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Maryland

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Division of Vital Records Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, 6550 Reisterstown Rd., Reistertown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215; (410) 764-3038 or (800), 832-3277, Fax: (410) 358-0738. The Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issues certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates for events that occur in Maryland. The Division also provides divorce verifications. The Division provides information on procedures to follow for registering an adoption, legitimation, or an adjudication of paternity.

RECORDS AVAILABILITY AND COST

  • Birth Certificates: The state of Maryland began issuing certificates for births since Aug 1898. Birth certificates for individuals born in Maryland after 1939 are also available for same day service at local health departments in all jurisdictions except Montgomery County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County. The State of Maryland Archives has Birth certificates since 1875 for Baltimore City and 1898 for Maryland counties.
    • Cost is $25.00 per certificate, payment is payable to the Division of Vital Records. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Death Certificates:The state of Maryland began issuing certificates for deaths since since 1969. Within 30 days of a death, copies of the record may also be obtained from the local health department in which the funeral director filed the death certificate, with the exception of Baltimore City and Baltimore County health departments. You must apply in person at the appropriate local health department. The State of Maryland Archives has Death certificates prior to 1969.
    • Cost is $25.00 per certificate, payment is payable to the Division of Vital Records. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Marriage Certificates: The state of Maryland began issuing certificates for marriage since since Jan 1, 1990. The State of Maryland Archives has Marriage certificates since 1640. Marriage Certificates are availible since before Jan 1, 1990 from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the license was issued.
    • Cost: $25.00 from the Division of Vital Records, payment is payable to the Division of Vital Records. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail. Contact the Maryland Archives and the Clerk of the Circuit Court for fees.
  • Divorce Certificates: The Division of Vital Records issues verification only since Jan 1961. Certified copies should be available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Fees vary.
    • Cost: $25.00 from the Division of Vital Records, payment is payable to the Division of Vital Records. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $12.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for fees.

ORDERING RECORDS

  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.
  • Order In Person:  Birth certificates for individuals with valid, government-issued photo identification who were born in Maryland are available for same day service at the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore. Same day service is also available at local health departments in all jurisdictions except Montgomery County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County for individuals born after 1939.
  • Order By Mail: Turn around is estimated at 3 to 6 weeks from the day the request is received. However, people are urged to allow sufficient time for delivery for all birth/death records. Mail a check or money order of $12.00 for each certified certificate. Do not send cash. Mail to the following address: The Division of Vital Records, 6550 Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown Road Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21215. Please include return address on envelope and application form. Allow 3 to 6 weeks for the search by mail for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records.

The Maryland State Archives maintains many records that are invaluable for biographical and genealogical research. These include birth records, adoption records, marriage records, divorce records, and death records, and some indices to these records.

Below is a list of online resources for Dorchester County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Dorchester County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Maryland

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Dorchester County, Maryland are 1790 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.

Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Dorchester County, Maryland are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Dorchester County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Dorchester County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Maryland

Below is a list of online resources for Dorchester County Maps. Email us with websites containing Dorchester County Maps by clicking the link below:

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County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Maryland

Below is a list of online resources for Dorchester County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Dorchester County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Maryland Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Dorchester County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Dorchester County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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County County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Cemetery Records in Maryland

There are many churches and cemeteries in Dorchester County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Dorchester County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Dorchester County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Dorchester County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Church & Bible Records in Maryland

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Dorchester County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Dorchester County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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