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WPA-HRS Indexing

Cover of WPA index compiled by Frank J. Sebald, Municipal Archivist, 1938, CE40-3Cover of WPA index, 1938

In the 1930’s as a part of the Works Progress Administration, the Historical Records Survey traveled to museums, libraries, and archives to survey and index historical records. The Baltimore City Archives was fortunately one of the institutions that benefited by this Great Depression job creator. The product of the Survey was threefold (all of which have been digitized and made available online):

  • a chronological listing of every record in specific record groups
  • a name index listing every time individuals were mentioned in those records
  • a subject index for some of the more prevalent or considered important topics

The following is a explanation of which of the current record groups were indexed, and for what time periods.

BRG # Series BRG Descriptor Series Name Beginning Year Ending Year
3 1 City Commissioners Administrative Files 1797 1899
5 1 Taxes General Administrative Files 1807 1864
6 5 City Auditor Reports 1857 1859
9 2 Mayor Mayor’s Correspondence 1797 1923
10 1 Court House Commissioners/Repairs Administrative Records 1835 1840
11 10 Election Records Registration Alterations 1879 1879
12 17 Cartographic Records Topographic Survey Files 1894 1895
13 3 Law Department [Opinions, Correspondence & Documents] 1819 1864
16 1 City Council Administrative Files 1797 1923
16 10 City Council Records of the Funerals of Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette 1826 1834
16 11 City Council John McDonogh Estate 1851 1857
16 12 City Council Maryland Canal 1837 1837
19 1 Health Department [Administrative Files & Coroners Reports] 1798 1907
19 9 Health Department House of Industry 1817 1823
21 11 Municipal Museum [Financial Records of Construction] 1830 1830
22 1 War of 1812 Records [Correspondence, Bills, Muster Rolls] 1812 1815
22 2 War of 1812 Records Pensions 1820 1820
22 3 War of 1812 Records [Correspondence, Bills, Muster Rolls] 1812 1815
25 1 Water Supply Records Administrative Files 1829 1921
29 4 Department of Legislative Reference City Library Files [Correspondence] 1900 1900
30 1 Electrical Commission [Application for Duct Space] 1926 1938
31 1 Department of Education Subseries F: Payroll Records 1869 1871
32 1 Register [Correspondence, Financial, Contracts, Bonds] 1800 1924
36 6 Board of Estimates [Administrative and Appropriations] 1900 1923
39 1 Harbor Records Financial Records 1873 1878
39 2 Port Warden/Harbor Records [Accounts, Correspondence, Reports] 1797 1901
40 7 Collector of Taxes Miscellaneous Correspondence and Reports 1842 1848
41 1 Miscellaneous Administrative Records Reports and Returns 1798 1925
41 2 Miscellaneous Administrative Records Bonds 1807 1939
41 3 Miscellaneous Administrative Records Bills 1810 1923
41 4 Miscellaneous Administrative Records Insurance 1825 1917
41 5 Miscellaneous Administrative Records Court Papers 1815 1921
41 6 Miscellaneous Administrative Records Miscellaneous Administrative Papers 1807 1922
42 1 Market Records Market Rents and Licences 1818 1917
42 2 Market Records Market Reports and Returns 1830 1917
43 7 Comptroller [Administrative Files, Burnt District, Symphony] 1905 1924
47 3 Department of Public Works City’s Engineer Records 1900 1922
47 4 Department of Public Works Inspector of Buildings, Correspondence Received 1920 1920
55 1 Passenger Arrival Records Passenger Arrival Lists 1833 1866
55 3 Passenger Arrival Records Bonds 1832 1834
56 1 Civil War Records Administrative Records 1861 1867
58 6 Street Improvement Records [Opening and Closing of Streets] 1900 1924
59 1 State of Maryland Papers Pertaining to Baltimore City Maryland General Assembly Papers 1812 1904
59 2 State of Maryland Papers Pertaining to Baltimore City Maryland Militia Papers 1818 1818


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