The Hall of Records Commission met at the Archives on September 22, 1999, with Judge Robert M. Bell, Chairman, presiding. After the consideration of routine matters, Ed Papenfuse, Secretary of the Commission, highlighted some staff activities, including his recent speech on the Liberty Tree located on the campus of St. John's College. Jeffrey A. Bishop, representing Dr. Christopher B. Nelson, president of the college, reported on the extensive damage rendered by Hurricane Floyd, resulting in a large crack in the trunk of the tree. The tree is now so unstable that it could fall at any time. For safety reasons, a temporary fence has been placed around
the tree area and some dormitory rooms have been vacated. Tree experts are recommending that this only surviving liberty tree be cut down. The college administration views itself as the steward, not the owner, of the tree and prefers to get the tree trimmed, secured, enclosed by an attractive fence, and thus made available for viewing. In order to preserve this Maryland Treasure, it may be necessary to ask the State for assistance. 

Ed briefly outlined the Archives' proposal for a web based digital image reference and retrieval system for land survey,subdivision, and condominium plats. It will encompass all survey materials filed with 

These plats and maps are considered electronic publications in the Archives of Maryland series, a continuation of a long standing (over 100 years) effort to make public records readily available, that began as printed transcripts of early executive, legislative, and judicial proceedings. A recent Attorney General's opinion agreed that the Archives of Maryland series legally can include an electronic format, as long as that version is so identified. The opinion also authorized the Archives to retain the
interest earned by the publications fund, rather than transfer it to the state general fund. 

Through a grant from the Information Technology Fund of the State of Maryland, the Archives is working to provide on-line access to Maryland legal history, 1634--.  There is a critical legal and educational need for ease of access to the Constitutions, proceedings of the Constitutional Conventions, session laws, proceedings of the General Assembly, and historical editions of compilations of the laws of Maryland. Inquiries on the development of 

Maryland law and constitutional precedent currently require access to original source materials, which are increasingly difficult to locate and are found in rapidly deteriorating documents. The creation of this resource will improve reference access and address a serious preservation problem. The first phase of the project encompasses the Archives of Maryland series, published from 1883 - 1972. This summer, interns scanned all 72 volumes and created searchable text for about half of them. 

Dr. Lois Green Carr, distinguished historian and preeminent authority on life in 17th and 18th century Maryland has secured a grant from the Maryland Society of the Ark and Dove to preserve and make accessible her research notes at the Maryland State Archives. These handwritten and typewritten notes, pertaining to people who resided in Maryland in the 17th and early 18th centuries, will be scanned and made available on-line in image form. The Archives has prepared a guide to these career file notes, organized into two groups by male and female, and then alphabetical by the names of the individuals. Most of the scanning work will be done next summer by interns. 

As a result of the rains associated with Hurricane Floyd, building maintenance became a critical issue for the Archives. Flooding occurred in several parts of the Hall of Records Building, mostly in the office areas. Rugs, ceiling tiles, and computers were damaged. Ed commended 
the Department of General Services staff
who responded so promptly with 

Later in the meeting, Ms. Richkus announced that the Department of General Services will be recognized for its work on the acorn atop the State House at an award
ceremony at the Paca House. The State House Trust will be similarly honored.

The meeting concluded with a presentation from the Whitney Collection of Baltimore County Surveyor's Plats [MSA SC4959], 

Reference Archivist Robert Barnes has presented the library of the Maryland State Archives with a copy of his new book, British Roots of Maryland Families. Over 500 pages in length, the book draws on land, church, and probate records at the Archives and a variety of sources from other repositories to present information on the English, Scottish, Irish, or Welsh ancestry of almost 500 individuals who settled in Maryland between 1634 and the early 19th century. Bob says the book was over five years in the making. 

Barnes, Robert, comp. Baltimore County Marriage References, 1659 - 1746 
Barter, Judith A. et al. Mary Cassatt: Modern Woman 
Bouche, Nicole. Digitization for Scholarly Use: The Boswell Papers Project at The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library 
Bruce, James. Memoirs 
Callum, Agnes Kane. Colored Volunteers of Maryland: Bounty Records of 9th. Regiment United States Colored Troops 1863 - 1866
Dashiell, Betty Jane. History of Somers Cove Marina 
Felsten, Janet. Baltimore's Public Landscapes: The Olmsted Influence, A Driving Tour Through Northern Baltimore
Goldman, Stephen A. and Eric C. Caren. Extra Titanic: The Story of the Disaster in the Newspapers of the Day 
Haley, Chris. Obsessions 
Historical Society of Kent County. Historic Graves, Private Burial Grounds and Cemeteries of Kent County, Maryland 
Hopkins, Henry Powell. Colonial Houses of Annapolis, Maryland and their Architectural Details 
Kranz, Peter M. Dinosaurs in Maryland 
Mayer, Henry. All on Fire: William Lloyd Garrison and the Abolition of Slavery 
Mullins, Paul R. Race and Affluence: An Archaeology of African America and Consumer Culture 
Murray, Barbara B. Beginners Genealogy Kit 
[Connecticut] Office of the Public Records Administrator and State Archives. Finding Aid to the General Assembly Papers, 1821 - 1870 
Reamy, Bill and Martha Reamy. Records of St. Paul's Parish, vol. 2 
Russell, Donna Valley. First Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 1649 - 1658, vol. 1