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Local History

Local History Banner - images of Ruth Enlow and various photos of Garrett County
The Republican Archive Obituary Database Using Our Resources In-House Collections Unable to Visit? Other SitesCensus Records Contact Us

 

Photo of The Republican newspaper and faded background
The Republican Archives

A searchable archive of back issues of the Garrett County Republican from 1877-2016. This is the result of a collaborative digitization effort between the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, the Sincell Family, and the Garrett County Historical Society, all of whom contributed time and funding towards making this archive a reality. Scanning was conducted by the Maryland State Archive, using materials obtained from the Enoch Pratt Free Library. All materials are hosted on the Internet Archive.

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Photo of The Glades Star newspaper with faded background
The Glades Star

A searchable archive of back issues of the Garrett County Glades Star from 1941-2014.  This is the result of a collaborative digitization effort between the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County and the Garrett County Historical Society, who contributed time and funding towards making this archive a reality.  Scanning was conducted by the Internet Archive, using materials obtained from the Ruth Enlow Library.  All materials are hosted on the Internet Archive.

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Cover page Vacation Guide magazine
Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake Vacation Guides

A searchable archive of promotional materials dating back to the 1950s promoting tourism in Garrett County, Maryland and Deep Creek Lake. This effort was made possible with the generous support of Garrett County Public Schools and the Garrett County Historical Society.  All materials are hosted on the Internet Archive

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Book cover for Maryland's Garrett County Graves
Garrett County Graves

A searchable two-volume work compiled by the Youghiogheny Glades Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution between 1987 and 2004 containing listings for all known cemeteries and their gravestones during that period in Garrett County.

Search Volume 1  Search Volume 2
Whilbr logo with Mountain Lake Park image of boat house
Western Maryland's Historical Library

Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties in Western Maryland have a rich and diverse history.  View images from the collections of the libraries, historical societies and individuals in the three counties.  There are photographs, newspaper articles and indexes, rare books and more.  Made possible with the support of the Western Maryland Regional Library.

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Image of Yearbook photos
Miscellaneous Yearbooks from Garrett County Schools

A searchable collection of yearbooks from such schools as Oakland High School, Grantsville High School and Accident High School.

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Obituary Database with photo of Ruth Enlow circ 1930s
Online Obituary Database

Our online searchable database is made up of obituaries, death notices or other death articles scanned from The Republican newspaper’s microfilm issues located at The Ruth Enlow Library’s Oakland branch. The Republican was established in 1877 and we are beginning at the beginning; March of 1877 to be exact. We will continuously add new information as we work to expand our online collection. But we do ask for your patience as it takes time to search, scan, edit, and load each item. We hope this database will assist you in your genealogy and local history research.

Search Obituary Database
Image of Feather Family History book cover
Feather Family History

A genealogy of the Feather family, specifically the lines descended from Frank and Leo Feather

Search Feather Family History

Using Our Resources

The Genealogy & Local Information Collection at the Main Library in Oakland is open to the public during the library's regular operating hours. A photocopier, a microfilm reader (which can also function as a microfiche reader), a scanner and a designated genealogy public computer are available for your use. Please check our Library Policies for a list of copy prices. Before planning a trip to our library we recommend visiting our website for current information regarding closings.

Sample of In-House Collections

Our collection focuses on resources relating to Garrett County with materials also available on surrounding areas in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The following is just a sampling of the resources located in this collection. Please refer to our catalog in order to search for specific titles and family histories.

  • "The Republican" newspaper since 1877 on microfilm
  • "Mountain Democrat" newspaper for selected years on microfilm
  • Town Histories
  • Vertical File (newspaper clippings, brochures, etc.)
  • County Histories
  • "Glades Star" (a quarterly publication of the Garrett County Historical Society)
  • Census Records on Microfilm, through HeritageQuest Online, and using Ancestry.com Library Edition (in library only)
  • 1940 Census
  • Military Lots map
  • Yearbooks
  • Maryland's Garrett County Graves by the DAR
  • History of Western Maryland by Scharf
  • Gortner News Index Compact Discs
    • Gortner News CDs
    • Gortner News -Year order
    • Gortner News - ID order

(Unfortunately, the collection contains no city directories and little to no original photographs. If you are interested in these items please contact the Garrett County Historical Society at 301-334-3226.)

Unable to visit our Library?

When sending correspondence, please be as detailed as possible with your question(s) and remember to include your name, mailing address, and daytime phone number. If you have an e-mail address, please include that as well. The staff cannot conduct genealogical research for patrons but we will search library resources in an attempt to answer specific questions. If an answer cannot be found, we will assist you in locating other institutions, websites, and/or knowledgeable people who may be of help.

Census Records
Census Records at the Ruth Enlow Libraries by Record Type

1930 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Garrett County on microfilm

1920 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Frederick, Garrett, and Kent Counties on microfilm
  • West Virginia: Gilmer, Grant, Jefferson, Hampshire, Marshall, Logan, Hardy, Harrison, Mineral, Monongalia, Ohio, Tucker, Pocahontas, Preston, and Webster Counties on microfilm

1910 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Frederick, Garrett and Harford Counties on microfilm
  • West Virginia: Tucker, Wood, Preston, Raleigh, Mercer, Monroe, Mineral, Morgan, Jackson, Lincoln, Hardy, Jefferson, Fayette, Gilmer, Hampshire, Clay, Doddridge, and Grant Counties on microfilm

1900 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Garrett and Harford Counties on microfilm
  • West Virginia: Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Upshur, Preston, Putnam, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Mercer, and Mineral Counties on microfilm

1890 Special Census Schedules

  • Maryland: Civil War Union Veterans and Their Widows for Allegany and Washington Counties on microfilm

1880 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland:& Dorchester, Garrett, and Frederick Counties on microfilm
  • Maryland: Garrett County, Maryland in book form (REF 929 E)
  • West Virginia: Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Randolph, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Webster, Tucker, Grant, Hardy, and Mineral Counties of West Virginia in book form (R975.4 M)

1880 Maryland Special Census

  • Maryland:& Agriculture and Manufacturing Census Schedule for Cecil and Howard Counties on microfilm

1880 Mortality Schedule

  • Maryland: Baltimore County on microfilm

1880 - 1870 Mortality Schedule

  • Maryland: Allegany County on microfilm

1870 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Allegany County on microfilm and in book form
  • West Virginia: Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Hardy, Harrison, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, and Grant Counties on microfilm

1870 Maryland Special Census

  • Maryland: Agriculture and Manufacturing Census Schedule on microfilm

1860 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Allegany, Baltimore City, and Anne Arundel Counties on microfilm
  • Virginia: Taylor, Tazewell, Tucker, Warren, Preston, Prince George, Hampshire, Hanover, Hardy, and Harrison Counties on microfilm

1860 Maryland Special Census

  • Maryland: Agriculture and Manufacturing Census Schedule on microfilm

1860 - 1850 Mortality Schedule

  • Maryland: Allegany County on microfilm

1850 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Allegany and Anne Arundel Counties on microfilm
  • Virginia: Raleigh, Randolph, Rappahannock, Richmond, Pocahontas, Powhatan, Preston, Hardy, Harrison, Halifax, and Hampshire Counties on microfilm
  • Pennsylvania: Somerset and Fayette Counties on microfilm

1850 Maryland Special Census

  • Maryland: On microfilm

1840 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Allegany County on microfilm
  • Virginia: Roanoke, Randolph, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Hampshire, Jackson, Jefferson, Harrison, Hardy, and Preston Counties microfilm

1830 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Allegany and Anne Arundel Counties on microfilm
  • Virginia: Preston, Rockbridge, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Logan, Lee, and Monongalia Counties on microfilm

1820 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, and Charles Counties on microfilm
  • Virginia: Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Hardy, James City, Charlotte, Fauquier, Franklin, Gloucester, Hampshire, King William, and Preston Counties on microfilm

1810 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Harford, Kent, Montgomery, and Talbot Counties on microfilm
  • Virginia: Monroe, Montgomery, Nelson, New Kent, Norfolk, Northumberland, Nottoway, Hampshire, Hanover, Harrison, Henrico, Isle of Wight, and Jefferson Counties on microfilm

1800 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, and Calvert Counties on microfilm

1790 Federal Census Population Schedules

  • Maryland: State of Maryland in book form (929.3 U)
    
Contact Us:

Email: genealogy@relib.net
Postal Mail:
Ruth Enlow Library
Board of Trustees
6 N Second Street
Oakland, MD 21550

Phone: 301-334-3996
Fax: 301-334-4152