Research at the Baltimore City Archives

The Records of Baltimore City are organized and described following a slightly modified version of the National Archives model of Record Groups, an archival management system that was introduced in the 1980s, and that led to the reorganization and re-distribution of a chronological inventory and filing system devised by the WPA Historical Records Survey.

All Baltimore City records currently being incorporated into the Maryland State Archives on-line catalog retain the record group number preceded by BRG for record groups, BMS for manuscripts, and BTR for records pending accessioning into record groups or disposal by records retention and disposal schedules. To view a record group in the guide by number simply enter BRG with the record group number immediately following in the Series ID box.  For example BRG1 will take you to the inventory of Baltimore City Archives Record Group 1 which are the records of the (Baltimore Town Commissioners), 1729-1797.

A good place to start your research is the Guide to Records at the Baltimore City Archives and other general Guides and Indexes.

Other good resources for specific records or topics:

• Mayor’s Office
• City Ordinances and Proceedings of the City Council
• Law Department/City Solicitor
• Board of Estimates
• Topics
• Transcribing and Inventorying the Records of Baltimore City, 1905-1940
• The Demography of Baltimore City: Sources
• The Geography of Baltimore City: Sources
• The Historiography of Baltimore City
• Property Tax Records for Baltimore City
• Vital Records of Baltimore City
• Land Records of Baltimore City