The following important events in the history of Maryland affected political jurisdictions, record keeping, and family movements.

1632	A charter was granted to Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. Maryland remained a proprietary colony until 1776, except for the years 1691 to 1715 when the colony reverted to the crown.
1634	The ships Ark and Dove brought about 200 Catholic and Protestant English settlers to the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, where St. Mary's was established.
1653	Baltimore was founded. It soon became a major port and commercial center.
1763-1767	The Maryland-Pennsylvania boundary was established by the Mason-Dixon Line.
1776	Maryland adopted a Declaration of Rights and a state constitution.
1788	Maryland officially became a state in the Union by ratifying the Constitution.
1791	Maryland ceded sixty square miles for the District of Columbia.
1802	The property qualification for voting in local elections was removed.
1812-1815	The War of 1812 involved many Maryland residents, and some battles were fought in Maryland.
1818	The National Road was completed from Cumberland to Wheeling.
1851	Baltimore City became an independent city and started keeping court, land, and probate records separately from the county.
1861-1865	Maryland soldiers fought on both sides during the Civil War.
1864	Slaves in Maryland were emancipated.