ARCHIVIST OF THE HALL OF RECORDS 29

From Talbot County, we received a paper-backed volume containing
the proceedings of the Justices of the County Court in designating the
public roads for the years 1745-1787.

While accessions from State agencies are, in general, more routine in
nature, students of colonial currency will find the Book, of Interest of the
Commissioners for Emitting Bills of Credit, transferred from the State
Treasurer's Office, worthy of attention. One of the methods of putting the
bills of credit into circulation was to lend them at interest. Thus this vol-
ume supplements the others we have in our vaults relating to the various
issues of paper money in Maryland.

Our collection of early parish records was especially enriched. We ac-
quired records from St. Anne's Parish in Anne Arundel County, St. Mary
Ann's Parish in Cecil County, St. Paul's Parish in Queen Anne's County,
and Chester Parish in Kent County.

This year, for the first time, we have prepared a combined list of all
accessions of archival material, regardless of form. The notation "microfilm"
or "photostat" is used to indicate copies; otherwise, it may be presumed the
original record was acquired. A total of 15 8 reels of microfilm, composed of
records of the Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilita-
tion, Fiscal Research Bureau, Department of Public Improvements and Secre-
tary of State, were added to our collection by virtue of the operations of our
Records Management Program. Our project for making film copies of the
Orphans' Courts Proceedings for insurance purposes has now been virtually
concluded. The total of 171 reels produced during the past year leaves only
a few odd volumes and several retakes to be done. The volumes added last
year are listed below under the appropriate county.

We were most gratified to learn that the first volume of Proceedings
of the Orphans' Court of St. Mary's County, covering the years 1777-1801,
and seven Assessment Books, dating from 1793 to 1826, had survived the
Courthouse fire of 1831. These records, now in private hands, were made
available for microfilming through the courtesy of Mr. Charles E. Fenwick,
President of the St. Mary's County Historical Society.

With the completion of the Wills and Orphans' Court Proceedings, we
have now turned to the filming of the other two important probate series:
Accounts and Inventories. A beginning has already been made in Anne
Arundel County, but because of the pressure of other work, it may be some
years before we can complete these series.