Welcome!

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Dorchester County MDGenWeb is a free genealogical site about the history of the county. It is a member of MDGenWeb, which is a member of USGenWeb®. We hope you find helpful clues for your research of Dorchester County ancestors.

• What's New at Dorchester County MDGenWeb since your last visit
• Search Dorchester County MDGenWeb for a specific name

Are you familiar with the area? Do you have a family tree connection to the area? Volunteers are always needed! Please consider contributing your pieces of Dorchester County family history. Corrections, updates, and additions to this site are always welcome.

County Coordinator: You? Dorchester County MDGenWeb is AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.

Temporary Coordinator: Norma Hass normahass01@gmail.com

COUNTY FORMATION

Dorchester County was formed in 1669. It was named in honor of the Earl of Dorset. Located mid-shore and shaped like a heart, it is called "The Heart of the Eastern Shore." The Choptank River marks the northern border with Caroline County. The Nanticoke River marks the eastern border with Delaware. Tangier Sound is on the southern border, and the Chesapeake Bay neighbors on the west. Although Dorchester County appears to be the largest county in Maryland, is not heavily populated. The area is mostly composed of marshlands, forests, and farms.

Cambridge is the county seat. Formed in 1793, it is the largest and oldest town.

The Choptanks and the Nanticokes lived, hunted, fished, crabbed, and farmed this area long before explorers or traders from England and Spain explored these shores. Settlers from England began to claim lands in the mid 1600's under land grants from Lord Baltimore.

Patty Cannon

Samuel Green

Harriet Tubman

Dorchester County was home to Patty Cannon, a ruthless slave trader; Samuel Green, freed minister and Underground Railroad agent; and Harriet Tubman, escaped enslaved conductor on the Underground Railroad, nurse, a Union spy, and a women’s suffrage supporter.

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