Research Resources

Research Resources2024-01-23T16:34:16-05:00

Here are some of the finding aids and resources available to researchers in the Library. They include lists of microfilm holdings, family history file annotations, list of Maryland Historical Trust Carroll County files, Library book catalog and other materials. During library hours, there is always a volunteer on duty to assist patrons. Feel free to ask them for help with your research.

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The following is a list of the Bible Records at HSCC, listed in alphabetical order by last name. If you have questions about this or any other file, contact the library at 410-848-6494 x204 or email Library@HSCCmd.org.

Bible Records Index

HSCC owns a number of resource materials that may help a researcher identify a Carroll Countian who had Federal military service (U.S. Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Maryland Militia and National Guard). Many are published works that are available to library patrons during regular library hours. In addition, staff research files may contain information about local service personnel. Sources that deal primarily with military history have not been included. Items in the Rare Book and Manuscript Collections are usually available upon request to staff; advance notice is required.

To view the Bibliography of Military History click here.

This contains a list of the books located at the HSCC Library. If you have questions about this or any other file, contact the library at 410-848-6494 x204 or email Library@HSCCmd.org.

Book Catalog for the HSCC Library (PDF)

This file contains a list of the Carroll County sites listed on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties. These files are also available on-line at the Maryland Historical Trust and can be accessed by clicking here. If you have any questions about this or any other file, contact the Library at 410-848-6494 x204 or email Library@HSCCmd.org.

Carroll County Historic Sites (PDF)

The Carroll County Times published “Carroll’s Yesteryears,” a weekly Sunday column written by the Historical Society, from 1990 through March 2002. Columns explored highlights of county history, everyday events, holiday observances and other topics. The series was revived in 2006, appearing every other week. Researchers should note that published column titles may be different from those given here. For citation purposes, please contact the Society.

*No columns ran between April 2002 and May 2006.

Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1990


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1991


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1992


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1993


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1994


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1995


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1996


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1997


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1998


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 1999


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2000


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2001


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2002


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2006


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2007


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2008


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2009


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2010


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2011


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2012


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2013


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2014


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2015


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2016


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2017


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2018


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2019


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2020


Carroll’s Yesteryears” Articles Published in 2021

This is a list of the Family History Files located in the library of the HSCC. For more information about this or other library files, call 410-848-6494 x204 or email Library@HSCCmd.org.

Family History File Annotations (PDF)

Introduction to the Collection

The Crapster collection is divided into two parts. Part I: Family History Files includes information on numerous families from Carroll County, arranged by family name. The files typically contain a variety of references including, abstracts of public documents such as deeds, wills, inventories of personal property and administration accounts. Only occasionally will a file contain copies of documents themselves; most of the information in the files consists of Dr. Crapster’s handwritten notes which can be difficult to read. Part II: Subject Files includes information on a wide variety of topics relating to the history of Carroll county. For each part of the collection, there is an index of files, followed by a summary of file contents.

Access to the Collection

Access to the Crapster Collection is by appointment with the Society’s curatorial staff during regular HSCC Library hours. Patrons should contact the staff for an appointment prior to visiting the Society. The Society’s staff can also conduct fee-based research in the Crapster Collection and provide copies of the material in some files. Because most of the files contain handwritten notes, they do not always copy well and can be difficult to read. HSCC will provide the best available copies of these materials but is not responsible for the poor quality of some copies. Please go to Research Fees and Policies for procedures for access to the collection or obtaining copies from the collection.

Part I: Family History Files

Part II: Subject Files

Dr. Basil Crapster: A Biographical Sketch

Dr. Basil Crapster was born to Basil and Ellen Bruce Long Crapster on July 3, 1920. He grew up in Taneytown, Carroll County, Maryland, and throughout his life he maintained an interest in the history and the people of his birthplace.

After graduating from Mercersburg Academy in 1937, he entered Princeton University where he received his under-graduate degree in 1941. The following year he earned his masters degree from Harvard University. Dr. Crapster served three years in Naval Intelligence during World War II. When the war was over he returned to Harvard for a doctorate in nineteenth century English history.

Armed with impeccable credentials and teaching ability, Dr. Crapster joined the faculty of Gettysburg College in 1949. He taught European History until his retirement in 1988. During his tenure at Gettysburg he wrote a number of articles for history journals and local newspapers. He received the Lindback Foundation Award for distinguished teaching.

Dr. Crapster and his wife Joan (Tewksbury) Crapster often worked together in researching the history of Taneytown and the northwest quadrant of present day Carroll County. Dr. Crapster’s interest in the history of his family and Taneytown, Md., became the core of his research. He and his wife were frequent visitors to the Frederick County Courthouse where early Taneytown documents are filed. As the body of research expanded, so did Dr. Crapster’s search area. Notes indicate that he had been active in most Maryland courthouses and in those of bordering states. He found information on people and events in the Maryland Hall of Records and in the National Archives. He pursued history in the Maryland Historical Society and in the societies of nearby states. The mass of information concerning the early history of the northwest quadrant of Carroll County is a tribute to his dedication to this project.

Mrs. Crapster died in 1989 and Dr. Crapster passed away two years later. Through the generosity of the Crapster children, their parents’ research has been entrusted to the Historical Society of Carroll County. It is truly a living legacy that illuminates the past and provides new areas for continuing research in the future.

*All articles are provided in PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you can download it for free.

CENSUS RECORDS

1820 Federal Census of Frederick County
1850 Federal Census of Carroll County
1890 Civil War Veterans’ Schedule – Union Veterans
1890 Civil War Veterans’ Schedule – Baltimore County and City
1920 Federal Census – Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll and Cecil Counties

NEWSPAPERS

Baltimore

  • Baltimorean, 1872 – 1885
  • Sunday Telegram, 1862

Manchester

  • Enterprise, 1885 – 1909

Mount Airy

  • Messenger, 1916

Silver Run

  • News, 1884 – 18__

Taneytown

  • Carroll Record, 1974 – 1976

Union Bridge

  • Carroll News, 1892 – 1897
  • Pilot, 1899-1972

Westminster

  • American Sentinel, Westminster
  • Carroll Democrat, 1887
  • Carrolltonian, 1833 – 1846
  • Democrat and Carroll County Republican, 1842 – 1846
  • Democratic Advocate, 1865 – 1947
  • Headlight, 1888 – 1890
  • Mirror
  • News
  • Times, 1911 – 1973
  • Western Maryland Advocate

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

  • Carroll County Board of Education Minute Books
  • Carroll County Wills Index
  • Clotworthy Birnie Collection
  • Baltimore County Court Marriage Records
  • Parish of the Ascension Record Books
  • Tracey Collection Land Record Cards

For a look at full digitized issues of the Carroll County Times Archive, 1933-1973, please go to http://library.carr.org/collections/research.asp and click on Periodicals and Newspapers. This archive is a service of Carroll County Public Library.

*All articles are provided in PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you can download it for free.

The Vertical Files in the research library hold numerous newspaper clippings, pamphlets and other ephemeral material collected by the Historical Society. Folders organized by town, organization, event and person provide information for a variety of research topics. These files are available during regular library hours.

For more information regarding the contents of specific files, contact the research library at 410-848-6494 x204 or email Library@HSCCmd.org.

Vertical File Headings (PDF)

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