Maryland State Archives — Local services in Annapolis

I spoke to the help desk at least 12 times while doing family research. They were always pleasant and helpful. Never rude like you might find at the Dept of Vital Records.

Some things I needed were not available through an online directory, so I drove down one day. Being there in person was just as nice, and totally worth the 90 minute drive. They really do go above and beyond to make sure you know every possible avenue to what you may be looking for. I never felt rushed, or stupid because I didn’t know exactly how to ask for certain info.

The next time I go down, I’ll be sure to go in the morning so I have more time to go through...

Lots of historical records; for that they should be getting a 5-star rating. We needed to look at Revolutionary War era records. The only complaint was their lack of creature comforts; they get a 0-star for that. They offer Annapolis city water and restrooms- that's it. Vending and food services are available for staff, but are off limits for visitors. We thought we would only be there an hour, but ended up spending 6 hours at the Archives. Warning: if you're unsure about the length of your stay, pack a lunch bag and store it in one of the lockers. There are no restaurants...

I had a great experience with the Archives recently when I needed a copy of a divorce decree for my family members. Because I needed the copy mailed abroad, I needed to call. The person who answered the phone was extremely helpful and professional. There were two cases in the index that could have had the decree, and she checked both and sent me the decree from the right one. The copy arrived stamped at my home in a reasonable amount of time, and it's exactly what I needed....