Free genealogy and local history
Free genealogy and local-history resources for Somerset County, Maryland, and the families whose lives crossed the boundaries of Old Somerset and the Lower Eastern Shore.
Old Somerset once covered a much larger area than today’s county. Its territory included land now found in Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico counties in Maryland, along with part of Sussex County, Delaware. Nearby Dorchester County lies to the northwest, and Accomack County, Virginia lies to the south.
In 1666, Cecil, Lord Baltimore, proclaimed the new county’s boundaries. Somerset County was named for Lady Mary Somerset, sister of Lady Anne Arundell. Because county lines changed over time, successful Somerset research often requires looking beyond the county’s modern borders.
“Heav’n and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man’s habitation.” — Capt. John Smith
Eight quick ways into the collection.
Search the county site by surname, place, church, tract, or topic.
If you find a broken link, have a correction, know of a useful Somerset research resource, or have records or historical material you would like to share, please contact the site coordinator. The county coordinator cannot provide individual genealogical research, but the site is designed to help you find records, repositories, maps, transcriptions, and other sources for your own research.
Email the Somerset County MDGenWeb coordinator or learn how to contribute material.