This past Saturday I attended a seminar that was jointly hosted by the Maryland Genealogical Society and the Maryland Historical Society called “Finding You War of 1812 Ancestors”. The seminar is just a small part of many events celebrating the anniversary of Maryland’s involvement in the War of 1812. There were several speakers and it was very informative.
Although I have yet to identify an ancestor that was involved in the War of 1812 I am so glad I attended. Not only did I learn a lot about specific events of the war and Maryland’s heroes, records and resources available for the participants, but I found both the museum and the library of the Maryland Historical Society FASCINATING!!
I am embarrassed to admit that this was my first visit to the Maryland Historical Society. It definitely will not be my last!
The museum had some great exhibits. One of the new exhibits is “BEARINGS of Baltimore, Circa 1815“. University of Maryland Baltimore County researchers have created an interactive display of Baltimore in 1815. It does not show everything, but it does include many Baltimore landmarks. You can zoom around and overlay Baltimore in 2014 as well. Again, the 2014 doesn’t show everything but enough to get your bearings (ha ha).
Then there is the library. WOW!!! I am definitely taking a couple vacation days to spend time researching there. I was lucky enough to be seated at a table with a nice lady who had visited many times and offered to show me around during the lunch break. I would have investigated anyway, but she gave me some great hints and showed me where specific items were located.
I already have identified some things I will be searching for on a trip there soon.
Aunt Barb's Papers 