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Curious About Your Family History?
The Anne Arundel Genealogical Society wants to help you discover more about your family history. We invite you to become a member, visit our research center, browse our website, and attend our monthly presentations and special events. Our Historical and Genealogical Research Center at the Kuethe Library in Glen Burnie houses more than 6,000 books, many photographs, maps, CDs, and obituary, bible, and church record collections. Because our history is so connected with our neighboring counties and states, we have an extensive collection of material from across Maryland and surrounding states.
Perhaps our most important asset is our staff of experienced genealogists. The people you will meet at the Kuethe Library and at our meetings have a wealth of experience and knowledge they are always willing to share.
Beginning, intermediate, and experienced family history researchers will find resources both usual and unusual in the Kuethe Library. Our monthly meetings feature presentations by experts on a wide variety of genealogy topics. Visitors are welcome.
Let us know how we can help you with your family history research.
The Kuethe Library will be closed on Saturday, February 7. Stay warm!
DNA Special Interest Group
 The Anne Arundel Genealogical Society’s DNA Special Interest Group (SIG) is a members-only resource for anyone curious about using DNA in family history research. Moderated by Kathy Korin and Tom McCarriar, the group welcomes AAGS members at every level—from beginners to seasoned researchers. Together, we explore how genetic evidence can enhance traditional genealogy and help members apply DNA tools and techniques to their own research questions.
February 2026 DNA Special Interest Group
Our 2026 meetings will include a mix of basic and intermediate topics, covering DNA testing, tools, and analysis, and maybe even a speaker or two. We encourage members to contribute to our meetings, sharing problems you need help resolving, or presenting your research and discoveries. Contact us at dna@aagensoc.org and we’ll put you on the schedule.
🗓 Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00pm ET
📍 Location: Online (Zoom)
What’s on the agenda?
- What's new!
- Review basic DNA topics we’ve covered and invite suggestions for future basic-level refreshers.
- Share breakthroughs, challenges, and questions with the group.
The Zoom link for the meeting will be emailed to all members on February 16, 2026. Send your suggestions to us at dna@aagensoc.org.
Let’s make 2026 the year of your breakthroughs and discoveries in genetic genealogy.
Tom & Kathy
AAGS Upcoming Program - February 23, 2026
Join us at 7:00 pm on Monday, February 23, 2026 via Zoom for our program "Finding African American Family in Southern Maryland" presented by Donald Brown. This will be a joint program with the St. Mary's County Genealogical Society.
Donald Brown will share his experience in finding his family, African American and White, in Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties. Donald Brown is a member of the AAGS Board of Directors.
This program is open to the public.
To register:
AAGS Members: You will receive the Zoom link via email before the event.
Non-Members: Please email programs@aagensoc.org to register and receive the Zoom link. We request you register no later than Sunday, February 22, so we can send you the link in a timely manner.
AAGS Upcoming Program - March 12, 2026
Join us at 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 12, 2026 via Zoom for our program "Why Family History Needs Historians" presented by Katherine "Kate" Brodt. This will be a joint program with the Howard County Genealogical Society.
 While genealogy and history are related disciplines, they can be very different. One focuses on analyzing dates, names, and facts to document lines of descent, the other focuses on the interpretation and contextualization of big events and ideas. But what happens when we bring the two together? How can studying national and local histories aid your research and add depth to your family stories? In this talk, Katherine Brodt will talk about her experiences as both a professional historian and genealogist and how the two disciplines can help each other.
Katherine Brodt is a historian, researcher, genealogist, and writer. A historian by training, she has a Masters degree in Early Modern History from King’s College London. Her research projects have taken her on a variety of adventures, from documenting an enslaved community at a historic Maryland plantation to uncovering the stories within her own family tree. Kate's website is katebrodthistorian.com and her blog is katebrodt.substack.com.
This program is open to the public.
To register:
AAGS Members: You will receive the Zoom link via email before the event.
Non-Members: Please email programs@aagensoc.org to register and receive the Zoom link. We request you register no later than Wednesday, March 11, so we can send you the link in a timely manner.
Planning to Visit the Kuethe Library?
You can make the most of your time by doing some research online before you arrive. More than 5,000 of our books are now listed in the Anne Arundel County Public Library catalog. We’ve also posted indexes of our Bible records, genealogy (surname) files, and more here on our website. And we are working on an index for our Anne Arundel County obituary records. Take a few minutes to check these resources at home so you can head straight to the information you need when you arrive. We hope to see you soon at the Kuethe Library!
Anne Arundel County Probate Index
The Maryland State Archives is participating in a joint project with the Comptroller of the Treasury, the Registers of Wills, and FamilySearch to Index and scan the state's probate records from 1634 to 1940, and to make them available online. Volunteers are preparing the documents for scanning, and indexing the records. Scanned records from this project are accessible on the FamilySearch website, but they are not yet indexed. Many of the records can be accessed using the new FamilySearch full-text search capability.
Scanning of Anne Arundel County probate records has been completed. We are excited to make the Anne Arundel County Probate Record Index available to everyone researching their Anne Arundel ancestors. Use this index to identify your ancestors' probate documents either before visiting the Maryland Archives, or digging in to FamilySearch records online..
Indexes have also been completed for Caroline, Carroll, and Baltimore counties. They are available on the Maryland Genealogical Society website.
Check here for more information about volunteer opportunities at the Maryland Archives.
AAGS Publications
Grave Matters: Cemetery Inscriptions, Anne Arundel County, Maryland Volumes 1, 2, and 3 provide tombstone inscriptions, and, in some cases, additional information obtained from cemetery records, verbal conversations, privately published records, government records, individuals familiar with the sites, and family members. These books focus on the non-commercial cemeteries north of Route 50 in the county.
  
Volume 1 contains information on 92 cemeteries in Annapolis Junction, BWI Airport, Ft. Meade, Hanover, Harmans, Jessup, Laurel, Severn, and several sites just beyond the county border.
Volume 2 contains information on 45 cemeteries in Brooklyn, Curtis Bay, Glen Burnie, Linthicum, Millersville, and Odenton.
Volume 3 contains information on 69 cemeteries in Arnold, Crofton, Crownsville, Gambrills, Pasadena, and Severna Park.
The books are fully indexed by surname and maiden name. Alternate cemetery names are also included. All three books can be purchased on Amazon for $25 each. A limited number will be available at the Kuethe Genealogical and Historical Library in Glen Burnie for $25.00 each, or for a reduced price of $60 for the three volume set.
AAGS Publication - Abstracts of Land Records Anne Arundel County, Maryland (Volume 8)
 This is the eighth volume of a series started by the Anne Arundel Genealogical Society. It covers the period of 1754-1763. While the title is Abstracts of Land Records there is much more than just land transactions in these volumes. They include all the transactions recorded by the court clerk. The abstracts of land transactions include basic information including; grantor, grantee, date of deed and of recordation; consideration paid, and release of dower. Many of the transactions are not sales but what today we would call a mortgage or a loan. Collateral for such loans were the land, indentured servants, slaves, animals, and other items of value. Other actions recorded include the finding of stray horses, the ships and freight rates for sending tobacco to London, the release of soldiers, and other matters. Some of the transactions were carried out in Great Britain or other Maryland counties but involve current or former Anne Arundel County residents or property in the county.
Abstracts of Land Records, Volume 8 can be purchased on Amazon.com. Click here to buy your copy.
Member Benefits in Readings Online
Two of our publications, Anne Arundel County, MD Wills Index 1777-1918, and Anne Arundel County, MD Marriage Records 1777-1877, are now available to our members in searchable pdf format. The Wills Index provides an alphabetical list of the primary persons in each of the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) will records between 1778 and 1918, and contains the names of over 3,700 persons, the book number and page number where the record is located at the Maryland State Archives, and the year of the record. The Marriage Index is an index for brides, with 4,736 marriage records.
Click on the links above to preview these publications. Members can access complete copies in Readings Online after logging in to our website. And in case you missed it, pdf copies of The Old Stone House, by Margaret Sparrow, and Louisa C. McPherson's Book, edited by Ray Ringgold and indexed by Audrey Bagby, are already available to our members in Readings Online.
If you prefer hard copies of the Wills Index or Marriage Records, you can still purchase them for $5 in our Store, while supplies last.
St. Anne’s Cemetery Committee in Annapolis, MD Needs Your Help!
The St. Anne’s Cemetery Committee is planning to do the first major update in years for both St. Anne’s and St. Anne’s Cedar Bluff cemeteries. If you have information about individuals buried in either cemetery (name, death date or place, plot information, cemetery deed, burial plot receipt, funeral home, or obit), they want to hear from you.
Contact information:
St. Anne's Parish House (for the churchyard, St. Anne's cemetery, and St. Anne's Cedar Bluff cemetery)
199 Duke of Gloucester St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-267-9333
AA County Citizen Preservation Stewardship Program
 Until the 20th century, it was common to establish small family cemeteries on private land. These cemeteries hold an important place in the history of our communities. They represent the resting place of those who made Anne Arundel County the place it is today. The names on the headstones are often the same names given to nearby towns, roads, and landmarks. Unfortunately, unchecked development and vandalism are destroying these important cultural resources.
Anne Arundel has the largest number of cemeteries and the oldest tombstones in Maryland. County regulations do not allow cemeteries to be moved from their original location. To preserve these records of the past, and to respect the final resting places of our ancestors, we need your help documenting the current condition of cemeteries in Anne Arundel County.
Join Anne Arundel County’s Citizen Preservation Stewardship Program to help document and preserve the history of Anne Arundel County. For more information see this flyer, or visit aacounty.org/cemeteries.
Join Us on Facebook
 Already on Facebook? Log in to your Facebook page, then enter and choose Anne Arundel Genealogical Society in the search box, and ask to join. We have reached over 1,400 AAGS Facebook Group members nationwide!
New to Facebook? Go to www.facebook.com. Provide the information requested to set up your free account. Then you can "friend" other Facebook members and share your comments, photos, videos, and favorite websites. You can join groups (AAGS, for example) and send public and private messages to your Facebook friends. It's a great way to meet other genealogists and maybe even make contact with long lost relatives. Give it a try! |
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