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Washington 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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Washington County was created in 1776 and was formed from Frederick County. The County was named for George Washington (1732-1799), commander of the Continental forces during the Revolutionary War, and first president of the United States. The County Seat is Hagerstown. No records were lost in a courthouse fire in 1871. See bottom of "Records at the Washington County Courthouse " Section for more info.

Washington County, located in western Maryland, Appropriately enough, it was Washington County that produced the first monument to George Washington, erected on July 4, 1827 outside of Boonesboro and completed in one day by the townspeople. During the Gettysburg campaigns the monument, which had almost fallen to pieces, was patched with logs and used as a Union signal station. In 1934, ten acres of land, including the monument, were deeded to the State of Maryland, and additional land was subsequently acquired for a state park. A copy of the earlier monument was built of local stone by the Civilian Conservation Corps and rededicated on July 4, 1936.

Hagerstown, the county seat, lies in the fertile valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the intersection of two important truck routes, I-81 and I-70. These roads follow respectively the historic north-south pathway through the Cumberland and Shenandoah valleys and the old National Pike, over which pioneers for decades traveled to settle in the country beyond the Appalachians.

The county's rich heritage is a delight for history buffs. Here visitors can roam the Antietam National Battlefield, the site of the bloodiest one day battle of the Civil War; Fort Frederick, erected in 1756 for defense against the French and Indians; or the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, stretching from Georgetown to Cumberland.

Counties adjacent to Washington County are Fulton County, Pennsylvania (northwest), Allegany County (west), Morgan County, West Virginia (southwest), Berkeley County, West Virginia (south), Jefferson County, West Virginia (south), Loudoun County, Virginia, Frederick County (east), Franklin County, Pennsylvania (northeast).

Washington County Cities Include Hagerstown. Towns Include Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Funkstown, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg, Smithsburg, Williamsport. Communities Include Fairplay, Van Lear. (Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people and listed in many collections of towns, but they lack local government.)

Various organizations, such as the United States Census Bureau, the United States Postal Service, and local chambers of commerce, define the communities they wish to recognize differently, and since they are not incorporated, their boundaries have no official status outside the organizations in question. The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county: Cavetown, Chewsville, Fort Ritchie, Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, Halfway, Highfield-Cascade, Leitersburg, Maugansville, Mount Aetna, Mount Lena, Paramount-Long Meadow, Robinwood, Rohrersville, St. James, San Mar, Wilson-Conococheague

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

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

Government records of Washington County are available in Original , Microfilm and Digital formats from the Maryland State Archives The Official County website is located at http://www.washco-md.net/. 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. Some records were lost in a courthouse fire in 1871.

Washington County Register of Wills/ Clerk of Orphan's Court has Probate Records from 1777 and is located at 95 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown 21740; (301) 739-3612

The Register of Wills is responsible 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.

Washington County Circuit Court Clerk has Land Records from 1777 and Marriage Records from earliest to 1919 and is located at 95 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown 21740; Mailing Address: P.O. Box 229, Hagerstown, MD 21741; 301-733-8660

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.

COURTHOUSE FIRE: From "The Herald and Torch Light," the weekly Hagerstown newspaper, of December 13, 1871, we read, "The records in the several offices [of the courthouse] were removed, except some papers in the Clerk's Office vault, which were somewhat scorched, but not rendered illegible. The Safe in the County Commissioners Room, which contained many valuable papers, was not removed, and was subjected to the firery [sic] ordeal, but when opened several days afterwards, the papers and books were found in good condition, the covers of the latter being only slightly scorched. Other books and papers of the Commissioners were rescued by Henry W. Lyday, Esq., on of the Commissioners, and E.W. Funk, Esq., late Clerk."

The only court records not now extant are:

  1. Marriage licenses 1776-1860 (although the index remains which lists the bride, groom, date, and minister)
  2. Court dockets for 1780-1792

It is not known when, or how, these two sets of records were lost, but it was not in the courthouse fire.

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Washington 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. Washington County Health Department has Births, Death and marriage records after 1919, 1302 Pennsylvania Avenue , Hagerstown, MD 21742; 240-313-3395, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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 Washington County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Washington 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 Washington County Maps. Email us with websites containing Washington 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 Washington County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Washington 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 Washington County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Washington County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Submit a website for Washington Co. Genealogical Addresses
  • Western Maryland Historical Regional Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 - Historical documents and photographs from the libraries and historical societies of Allegany, Garrett and Washington Counties, Maryland
  • Washington County Historical Society, P. O. Box 1281, Miller House, 135 West Washington St., Hagerstown, MD 21741 - 1281, (301) 797-8782
  • Washington County Free Library, Hagerstown, Maryland;
    We list: Obituary Locator 1790-2007; Historic Newspaper Index; Whilbr - Western Maryland Digital Marriage Records; School Records; Church Records; Land Records; 1877 Atlas; City Directory 1893-9; Cemetery & Death records.
    Also a list of published materials available in the Library: County & Regional Histories; Military Records; Telephone Directories; Census records; Historical Maps; Naturalization records; School Yearbooks; Hagerstown Farmers Almanacs; Manumission records; City Directories; Wills & Estates.
  • Maryland State Archives, 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401
  • Maryland Genealogical Society, 201 W. Monument Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-4674.
    Publishes the Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin Quarterly.
  • The Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument Street, Baltimore MD 21201-4674
    Has published a quarterly magazine Maryland Historical Magazinefor over 90 years
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Maryland Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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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 Washington County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Washington County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Washington County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Washington 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 Washington County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Washington County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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