Source:Carr, Lois Green. St. Mary's County Career Files

Introduction to Files

Dr. Lois Green Carr, distinguished historian and preeminent authority on life in 17th and 18th century Maryland, secured a grant from The Society of the Ark and the Dove to preserve and make her research notes digitally accessible through the Maryland State Archives. Spanning her career, Dr. Carr's notes document information about the early residents of St. Mary's County, Maryland. Entries vary from just a name to more complete biographical information, including family relationships and political positions held in the colony.

Career File Records

The Career Files consist of over 47,000 5x8 index cards and slips of paper, with both typewritten and handwritten research notes about over 6600 individuals . They were created as a result of a grant provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities in the 1970s. Record stripping began with the records of the Provincial Court, for information about every identified St. Mary's County inhabitant. Probate records, particularly from Maryland's Prerogative Court followed next. Third, additional information about people identified through court records was uncovered by searching record indices at the Maryland State Archives. Fourth, researchers examined St. Mary's County quitrent rolls for 1659 and 1704 for landowners who may not have been mentioned in other records. Finally, all of the information gathered was combined into an alphabetical file, and summary cards were prepared for each individual.

How to use the Carr files

To see the Career File note cards for a specific individual, find names using the index then search for that individual. You may either search by first or by last name. On the search screen select from the drop down list selecting St. Mary's City Career Files.

Men - MSA SC 5094 Women - MSA SC 4040