Research directory
Places and tools worth knowing
Resources are grouped by purpose so you can go directly to the kind of record or help you need.
Local Research Centers and Libraries
- Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture Salisbury University’s major repository for Delmarva family and local history, including manuscripts, family papers, photographs, maps, newspapers, church and government records, rare books, and regional collections. Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons, 4th floor; use 1134 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21801 for GPS. 410-543-6312.
- Plan a Visit to the Nabb Research Center Current hours, visitor parking, reading-room procedures, collection requests, research services, and contact information. The Nabb Center recommends contacting staff before a research visit.
- Wicomico Public Libraries Local history and genealogy books, directories, church histories, maps, newspaper indexes, military materials, and genealogy databases. The library also provides in-library access to Ancestry Library Edition and access to HeritageQuest. Main system contact: 122 S. Division St., Salisbury, MD 21801; 410-749-3612.
- Wicomico Public Libraries Genealogy Databases Search the library’s online resources, including Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest, and other research databases. Access requirements vary by database.
- Lower Delmarva Genealogical Society Genealogical society serving the Lower Delmarva Peninsula, with publications, meetings, projects, surname resources, and regional research information. Mailing address: Box 3602, Salisbury, MD 21802-3602.
Courthouse, Probate, Land, and Vital Records
- Wicomico County Clerk of the Circuit Court Land deeds, mortgages, plats, conveyances, marriage licenses, and court records. 101 N. Division St., Courthouse, Room 105, Salisbury, MD 21801; mailing address P.O. Box 198, Salisbury, MD 21803-0198; 410-543-6551.
- Wicomico County Register of Wills Probate and estate records for Wicomico County. Courthouse, 101 N. Division St., Room 102, Salisbury, MD 21801; mailing address P.O. Box 787, Salisbury, MD 21803-0787; 410-543-6635.
- Maryland Estate Search Search Maryland probate estate information online. Useful for locating an estate before requesting or reviewing the underlying probate file.
- Maryland Land Records (MDLandRec) Free online images of Maryland land records presented by the Maryland State Archives and Circuit Court clerks. Wicomico land records begin with the county’s creation in 1867; earlier deeds may be in Somerset or Worcester County.
- Maryland Plats Online access to recorded plats and surveys. Plats can be especially useful for locating family land, subdivisions, roads, waterways, adjoining owners, and changes in property boundaries.
- Maryland Division of Vital Records Certified Maryland birth, death, marriage, and other vital records within the periods handled by the Division. The Baltimore lobby at 6764B Reisterstown Road is by appointment only; check the current site for eligibility, ordering methods, and record coverage.
Maryland Archives and Statewide Research
- Maryland State Archives Maryland’s central repository for state and county government records, including court, land, probate, church, map, newspaper, photograph, and special collections. 350 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-260-6400.
- Maryland State Archives Guide to Government Records Use the Guide to identify record series, date spans, indexes, and formats before searching or contacting the Archives. Particularly useful for Wicomico court, land, probate, tax, road, and plat records.
- Maryland Genealogical Society Statewide genealogical education, publications, webinars, research resources, and Maryland-focused links. Mailing address: 610 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201.
- FamilySearch Research Wiki: Wicomico County A research guide to record types, repositories, boundary changes, online collections, churches, cemeteries, newspapers, and other sources for Wicomico County.
Local History and Preservation Organizations
- Pemberton Hall Foundation Preserves and interprets Pemberton Hall, an important eighteenth-century Wicomico County property whose restoration draws on probate inventories and continuing historical research. 5561 Plantation Lane, Salisbury, MD 21801; 443-235-9616.
- Preservation Trust of Wicomico Local preservation organization concerned with historic buildings, sites, and cemeteries. Mailing address: P.O. Box 4695, Salisbury, MD 21803; 410-749-5168.
- Whitehaven Heritage Association Preserves and interprets the historic village of Whitehaven and its cultural and natural heritage, including the schoolhouse and former Methodist church. 2740 Church St., Quantico, MD 21856.
- Allen Historical Society Local history organization preserving the Huffington-Pollitt House at 3430 Allen Road and the Passerdyke Cottage at 3474 Allen Road in Allen, Maryland.
- Westside Historical Society Museum, collections, photographs, and a Genealogy and Family History Library and Research Center focused especially on western Wicomico County and the Lower Eastern Shore. 413 Main St., Mardela Springs, MD 21837; mailing address P.O. Box 194.
- Beach to Bay Heritage Area Regional heritage organization promoting and preserving the cultural, historical, and natural resources of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. 14 S. Main St., Berlin, MD 21811; 410-251-3163.
- Poplar Hill Mansion Historic house museum in Salisbury interpreting the Federal period, local families, early medical practice, agriculture, and the lives of enslaved people connected with the property. 117 Elizabeth St., Salisbury, MD 21801.
- Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University Museum devoted to the cultural heritage and traditional arts of Delmarva’s communities, including regional material culture and the collections associated with the former Ward Museum. 218 W. Main St., Salisbury, MD 21801.
Cemeteries, Historic Places, and Maps
- Paul J. Willing Wicomico Cemeteries Project Wicomico MDGenWeb cemetery transcriptions, cemetery links, photographs, reports, mapping resources, preservation information, and guidance for responsible cemetery research.
- Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites: Wicomico County Wicomico-specific cemetery preservation information and links from the statewide Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites.
- Burial Site Preservation Standards and Stewardship Guidance Coalition guidance for responsible documentation, conservation, maintenance, and treatment of burial sites and gravestones. Read this before cleaning, repairing, rubbing, or applying anything to an old stone.
- Maryland Historical Trust Medusa Search Maryland’s cultural-resource database for historic buildings, districts, sites, architectural survey files, photographs, maps, and Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties documentation.
- Wicomico County Map Room Official county GIS resources, interactive mapping, downloadable maps, parcels, zoning, election maps, and other geographic information useful for locating property and understanding the modern landscape.
- Wicomico County Historic Sites Map Interactive county map with information on historic and cultural properties throughout Wicomico County.
- Wicomico MDGenWeb Maps Historical maps, rectified maps, early USGS quadrangles, county GIS links, wildlife-management maps, and other map resources selected for Wicomico research.
- 1877 Wicomico County Atlas Browse the Wicomico pages from the 1877 Lake, Griffing and Stevenson atlas, including election districts, Salisbury, patron lists, and reference plates.
Newspapers and Digital Collections
- Maryland State Archives Digitized Newspapers Browse Maryland newspaper titles digitized by the State Archives. Coverage varies by title and date, but these scans can be invaluable for obituaries, marriages, court notices, advertisements, community news, and political activity.
- Gateway to Digitized Maryland Newspapers University of Maryland guide bringing together information and links for digitized Maryland newspapers hosted by multiple institutions.
- Wicomico MDGenWeb Historical Records Free transcriptions of Wicomico deeds, petitions, death certificate abstracts, family Bible records, wills, and other contributed records.
- Wicomico MDGenWeb History Articles Local history articles, community histories, churches, biographies, family material, and other Wicomico County historical research.
Neighboring Counties and Lower Delmarva
- Somerset County, Maryland MDGenWeb Essential for Wicomico research before 1867 because much of present-day Wicomico was formerly part of Somerset County.
- Worcester County, Maryland MDGenWeb Important for families and records from the portion of Worcester County used to create Wicomico in 1867 and for families who moved across the county line.
- Dorchester County, Maryland MDGenWeb Neighboring Eastern Shore county with longstanding family, church, maritime, and migration connections to western Wicomico.
- Sussex County, Delaware USGenWeb Useful for Delmarva families whose records and relationships cross the Maryland-Delaware line.
- Accomack County, Virginia VAGenWeb Useful for families moving along the Eastern Shore between Maryland and Virginia.
Know a useful Wicomico research resource?
If a link is broken, contact information has changed, or you know of a Wicomico County resource that belongs on this page, please get in touch.
Wicomico County MDGenWeb · wicomico at mdgenweb dot org