HALL OF RECORDS COMMISSION

Chairman: Simon E. Sobeloff, Chief Judge Court of Appeals

Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor; J. Millard Tawes, Comp-
troller; Richard D. Weigle, President, St. John's College;
George L. Radcliffe, President, Maryland Historical Society;
William L. Marbury, President, Board of Peabody Institute;
Lowell J. Reed, President, Johns Hopkins University.
Morris L. Radoff, Archivist and Records Administrator

Gust Skordas, Assistant Archivist

Edward N. Johnson, Assistant Records Administrator

Hall of Records, Annapolis Telephone: Colonial 3-4111

The Hall of Records Commission was created by an act of the Gen-
eral Assembly of 1936. The Commission is an ex-officio body. It su-
pervises and controls the Hall of Records and appoints the Archivist,
who is responsible for the functioning of the agency (Code 1951, Art.
41, sees. 148,149).

State agencies as well as the counties, cities and towns of Mary-
land are authorized to offer for deposit at the Hall of Records, all files,
documents and records not in current use. Should the Archivist decline
to accept the materials offered, permission to destroy them may be
requested from the Board of Public Works. If permission is granted
and destruction is completed, a certificate of destruction must be filed
with the Hall of Records (Code 1961, Art. 41, sees. 163, 154, 166).

While many records are offered to the Hall of Records Commission
at the discretion of the custodians, it is required that all records, which
are in the courthouses of the State and which were created prior to
April 28, 1788, the date of ratification of the United States Constitu-
tion by the State of Maryland, be deposited at the Hall of Records
(Code 1961, Art. 41, sec. 162). In addition to the above, the non-
current records of many State agencies have been deposited with the
Hall of Records and the Archivist has on file microfilm copies of all
county deeds as well as miscellaneous probate records through 1860
and of wills through 1960. Where records have been deposited with
the Hall of Records, the Commission is authorized to prepare certified
copies or photographic reproductions upon request (Code 1961, Art. 41,
sees. 163, 157; Acts 1963, ch. 437).

State agencies are required by law to establish a continuing pro-
gram for the management of their records. The Hall of Records
provides assistance and guidance in the development and furtherance
of the State Records Management Program. The program provides
for the use of records retention schedules which establish the period
and method of retention of records. Such schedules must be approved
by the Hall of Records and when destruction is recommended, must
also be approved by the Board of Public Works. The Hall of Records
is responsible for inspecting the records and records management
practices of all State agencies and is also required to review the
proposals for the purchase or rental of record equipment, storage
space and services (Acts 1953, ch. 436).

The Hall of Records microfilms or supervises the microfilming of
all current deeds, mortgages and releases recorded in the courthouses
of the State which are required to be deposited annually in the office
of the Commissioner of the Land Office. Copies of these films are also
deposited with the State Tax Commission for use in the preparation
of local tax maps. Limited facilities are available for the filming of