Print and Microfilm Resources
The Maryland collection at all three Library buildings includes various print resources, including Maryland and St. Mary’s County history books and genealogical resources.
The St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society Collection in the Maryland Room at Leonardtown Library contains local family histories, county and Maryland history, Census, cemetery records, marriage licenses, and county and Maryland death records. These reference materials cannot be checked out, but can be used within the library.
A number of local newspapers are available on microfilm at the Lexington Park Library.
- The Beacon: 1852-1984, with gaps
- Subject Index of The Beacon, 1852-1890
- The Enterprise: 1952-2020
- SOMD News: 2020-~3 months ago
For information about accessing the microfilm, please call the Lexington Park Library at 301-863-8188 or send questions to ill.lexi@stmalib.org.
Genealogy Research Requests
Not in St. Mary’s County or need additional help finding information? A librarian will research requests for ancestors within the state of Maryland using the Library’s available resources. These resources include our Genealogy and Maryland collections, our newspaper database, and other local resources. You may request information about one ancestor per submission and you may submit no more than two research requests per month.
Online Resources
Ancestry Library Edition
Ancestry Library Edition delivers billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more. In-Library Use Only.
HeritageQuest Online
HeritageQuest Online offers genealogies, local histories, primary source materials, serials, and census data. Library card required.
Newspaper Archive
Newspaper Archive contains millions of newspaper pages from around the world from 1753 to present. Library card required.
Local Newspaper Archive
Our local newspaper archive includes a searchable database of The Beacon, The Enterprise, SOMD News, The Tester, and Naval Air Test Center and NAS Patuxent River command histories through 1952.
Other Local History Resources
- The Beacon, 1852-1921, is available online (with gaps) from the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers website
- Because the paper operated under different names, there are three newspapers available on the site: Saint Mary’s beacon, St. Mary’s beacon, and St. Mary’s gazette. Use the Chronicling America: Maryland Newspapers page to access the collection.
- The St. Mary’s County Times maintains it own digital archive of past editions.
- Obituaries from St. Mary’s County Newspapers and Other Sources
- Obituaries and Service Information from SOMD.com
- St. Mary’s County Historical Society has approximately 40,000 obituaries scanned from St. Mary’s County newspapers, as well as other sources. Available online for Historical Society members.
- St. Mary’s County Historical Society
- St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society
- Southern Maryland Studies Center at CSM
- St. Mary’s College of Maryland Archives
- St. Mary’s County Historic Preservation Commission
- St. Mary’s County Cemetery Project
- Cemetery Database – Updated October 2020
- Cemetery Database Footnotes
- To contribute information to the database, pick up a form at the library.
- Maryland Historic Trust
- Maryland Historic Trust Inventory of Historic Properties
