Washington County, Maryland Genealogy

∣ Societies and Family History Resources ∣ Government Records ∣ Genealogy Links ∣ Publications ∣ Census Records ∣
∣ Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records ∣ Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records ∣
∣ Cemeteries & Graveyards ∣ Church & Bible Records ∣ County History ∣ Military Records ∣ Schools & Directories ∣

Washington County, Maryland family history and genealogy research page. Discover links to record collections, history, and genealogy resources to assist you to you trace your own Washington Co., ancestors. Get started by creating a Free Family Tree.

Washington County

Washington County was founded on September 6, 1776 from Frederick County. This county was named in honor of George Washington, first President of the United States.

The Washington County Seat is situated in Hagerstown additionally, the county government website is www.washco-md.net/

Areas next 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 (southeast), Frederick County (east), Franklin County, Pennsylvania (northeast).

Cities and towns to be found in Washington County include Hagerstown (incorporated 1813), Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Funkstown, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg, Smithsburg, Williamsport.

Washington County consists of Federal Census Schedules to guide in looking into your family tree. Federal Population Schedules can be found for 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.Washington Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Washington Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Washington Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research.

Back to top

Washington County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources

A list of Washington County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also Maryland Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

Government records of Allegany County are available in original, microfilm and digital formats from the Maryland State Archives

Back to top

Washington County Courthouse and Government Records

Genealogist typically overlook the advantages of Washington County court, probate, and land documents as a source of genealogy and family history details. Buried away in Maryland courthouses and archives just about everywhere are often the aspirations and frustrations of countless Maryland inhabitants.

The possibilities are very good that your particular ancestors have left a detailed record of at least some elements of their lives in the Washington County court records. Even if your ancestors and forefathers is not discussed in a Court case, give some thought to all of the other procedures that could have lead to her or him appearing in court records.

Please make sure to speak to the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other details just before visiting or looking for information because of occasionally changing contact info. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The documents are available to interested parties, barring confidential issues. Many workers will guide individuals in finding the materials, but it is up to the particular person to complete the research.

The following indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Washington county. The dates indicated below are the first known records for this county which may include records of land, estates, taxes, vital records, divorces, naturalizations, voter registration, court records, and so forth. Some records were lost in a courthouse fire in 1871. 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."

Maryland Historical Records - Databases include Maryland Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Maryland Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Maryland Voter Lists & Census Records; Maryland Immigration & Emigration Records; Maryland Obituary Records; Maryland Military Records; Maryland Family Tree Records; Maryland Pictures; Maryland Stories, Memories & Histories; Maryland Directories & Member Lists and much more....
Back to top

Washington County Genealogy Links

The following are links to Genealogy, Records and Resources relating to Washington County. A majority of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a payment. This is simply a listing that has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to provide your own favorite Washington County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.

Washington Co. MD Books, Newspapers & Publications

Washington Co. MD Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Washington Co. MD Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Washington Co. MD Census Records

Washington Co. MD Cemeteries & Graveyards

Washington Co. MD Church & Bible Records

Washington Co. MD Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Washington Co. MD General and History Websites

Washington Co. MD Immigration & Naturalization

Washington Co. MD Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Washington Co. MD Military Records

Washington Co. MD Schools & Directories

Back to top
Site Map | Copyright © 2013 GenealogyInc.com,