Databases for Downloading
The Archives has developed databases of selected vital records and indexes to our collections. They will be updated and new databases added as time permits. These were last updated on October 17, 2007. All may be downloaded at http://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/databases/. Zipped files must be "unzipped" using pkunzip.exe or a similar file. Except for the death and marriage data, which are text files, all others are MS-Access (mdb) files. A description of most databases, in Word 97, may be downloaded as DBDESC1.DOC.
Repository Tools
Collections Management System for Historical Materials
Vital Records
Deaths 1960-1996
Marriages 1892-1996 (except 1967 to 1976)
Indexes to Archival Records
Civil War Navy - Maine
Civilian Conservation Corps Members - District 1
Courts 1696-1854
Divorce Index 1800-1891 (In Progress)
Department of Economic Development Photographs
Executive Council 1820-1835
Executive Council 1836-1840
Hancock County Court of Sessions
Legislature 1820-1855
Legislature 1861-1865
Maps 1674-1989
Mexican War Soldiers
Moving Images 1955-1976
Photographs 1920's-1950's
Railroad Track Layouts
Revolutionary War Land Grants and Pension Applications
Town Records on Microfilm 18th-20th Centuries
Secretary of State Correspondence
War of 1812 Veterans
Other Indexes
Maine Minor Civil Divisions - Legal History Database
Repository Tools
Collections Management System (CMS). CMS is a low-cost, standardized, accessible tool for repositories such as museums, archives, and historical societies, whose collections may contain both documents and artifacts, such as letters, newspapers, books, photographs, textiles, archaeological materials, furniture, and tools.
The CMS has been under construction for several years, with periodic reviews by ad hoc groups of interested parties. It will be under indefinite development as an "open" system subject to change based on recommendations from users and available to all. It runs under Microsoft Access '97, a widely used database program. The "low-cost" involves ownership of the MS-Access program; the CMS itself is free. Users should obtain some working knowledge of Microsoft Access to implement future changes and to make local refinements.
Demonstration files (cmsdemo.mdb and cmsdemdt.mdb) and program files (cms.mdb and cmsdata.mdb) may be downloaded as files cmsdemo.zip, form.zip, cmsprog.zip, along with the documentation files CMSG0802.DOC and Supplemental Form April 2004.rtf respectively.
Vital Records
Deaths 1960-1996. This database was supplied by the Maine Department of Human Services, however data for 1996 is not complete. Later data is not currently available from the Archives in electronic form. The same information is available at our web site http://portalx.bisoex.state.me.us/pls/archives_mhsf/archdev.death_archive.search_form.
To order copies of a death certificate, contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics, 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0011. Telephone (207) 287-3181.
Fields:
01-07 Death Certificate Number
08-22 First Name
23-37 Middle
38-62 Last
63-66 Year
67-68 Month ([1 ] or [ 1] = January; [10] = October; 99= unknown)
69-70 Day (99=unknown)
71 Age indicator (0=less than 100 years, 1=100 or more; 2=months; 3=weeks; 4=days;
5=hours; 6=minutes; 9=unknown)
72-73 Age
74-78 Geographic code unique to each town or city
79- City or town where death occurred
Download the text file Deaths.zip (9 megabytes).
Maine Marriages 1892-1996 (except 1967 to 1976). This database was supplied by the Maine Department of Human Services, however data spanning 1967-1976 is not available in electronic form. The same information is available at our web site http://portalx.bisoex.state.me.us/pls/archives_mhsf/archdev.marriage_archive.search_form.
We are aware of apparent data entry errors, though the original documents usually reflect the correct information. Report apparent errors by e-mail.
To order a copy of a specific marriage record 1892-1922, send an e-mail request. We will confirm and indicate the actual fee by e-mail. The basic fee for searching and copying marriage records is $7.00 for a plain copy and $15.00 for a certified copy.
For marriage records for 1923 and later, contact Maine Department of Human Services, Office of Data Research and Vital Statistics at 207-287-3181 or U.S. mail at 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
Fields:
01-25 Bride's name (Lastname, First Middle)
26-40 Bride's town of residence
41-42 Bride's state of residence
43-67 Groom's name (Lastname, First Middle)
68-82 Groom's town of residence
83-84 Groom's state of residence
85-86 Month of marriage
87-88 Day of marriage
89-90 Year of marriage
91-95 Marriage certificate number, if known
Download the text file Marriage archive.zip (23 megabytes).
Indexes to Archival Records
Civil War Sailors - Maine. This Access Database indexes information on about 3,000 men
from Maine or credited to Maine that enlisted or were substitutes in the Navy during the Civil War. Information in this database was taken from our Civil War Sailors Card index and their enlistment papers. Not all of the information in each field was filled in for all the men. Final Query in the database alphabetically lists all information for these veterans. (4,304 kb.)
Fields:
Autonumber: computer generated number.
Name: Name of veteran.
Rank: Enlistment rating, ie. Landsman, Coalheaver, etc.
Ships: Each man often served on more than one ship.
Age: Age of veteran.
Occupation: Occupation of veteran.
Place of Birth: Birthplace of veteran.
Height: Height of veteran.
Complexion: Complexion of veteran.
Eye Color: Eye color of veteran.
Hair Color: Hair color of veteran.
Marks and Scars: Identifying scars or tattoos.
Married/Single: M or S for Married or Single.
Number of Children: Number of children at the time of enlistment.
Residence: Residence of veteran.
When Enlisted: Date of enlistment.
Where Enlisted: Place of enlistment.
Duration: Number of years term of service.
Date Left Service: Date the left the service.
How Left Service: Discharged, died, deserted, etc.
Remarks: Misc. information such as who the person was a substitute for, etc.
Years in Navy: If a Navy veteran, number of years previously in the Navy.
Years at Sea: If they made a living on the water, the number of years spent at sea.
Rate Last Cruise: If a Navy veteran, their rating on their last cruise.
Read: Yes or No checkbox. Not all had answers for this question, so not being checked does not mean they could not read.
Write: Yes or No checkbox. Not all had answers for this question, so not being checked does not mean they could not write.
Vaccinated: Yes or No checkbox. Not all had answers for this question, so not being checked does not mean they were not vaccinated.
$Bounty: Amount of Bounty paid.
$Advanced: Amount of Money advanced.
record#: Computer number of the file on that individual.
Download the MS-Access file CivNav.zip (828 kb.)
Civilian Conservation Corps. - District 1 This MS-Access 97 database indexes lists of CCC members from around New England that served in Camps in Maine and New Hampshire. Information listed is name, residence, rank, camp # and location. (324 kilobytes)
Inclusive Dates: 1937.
Records: 3356 Members.
Fields:
Name: Member's Name.
Residence: Members town and state of residence, if given.
Rank: Rank, and Office, if given.
Company: Company Number.
Company Location: Location of the Company.
ID: Internal computer reference codes.
Download the MS-Access file CCC Members.zip (96 kilobytes, zipped)
Courts 1696-1854. This MS-Access 97 database indexes early cases from the York County Court of Common Pleas (1696-1760), the Kennebec County Supreme Court (1799-1854), and the Washington County District Court (1839-1846), including depositions and decisions.
Inclusive Dates: 1696-1854.
Records: 27,525 cases, and 55,254 plaintiffs or defendants.
Fields:
Court: Court name.
Session: Month and year of the session.
Reference: Internal reference codes.
Cause: Cause of action (debt, trespass, assault, etc.).
Volume & Page: Reference to the filing location.
Name: Plaintiff or defendant linked to cases by the Volume & Page field.
PLTDEF: Plaintiff or defendant designation. (Volume & Page linked)
Residence: Residence of plaintiff or defendant. (Volume & Page linked)
Download the MS-Access file COURTS99.ZIP (1.5 megabytes)
Department of Economic Development Photographs. This MS-Access 97 database indexes the photographs taken by staff of the Department of Economic Development. They recorded images of Maine industries, Governors' activities, sportsmen and vacationers, as well as scenic pictures from around Maine. While the index to George French's pictures (PHOTO99.ZIP) index each photograph, this index roughly indexes groups of photographs by subject, so there may be several in the folder referenced - not just one photograph.
Records: 4,323 (1456 kilobytes).
Fields:
ID: Unique record identifier.
Subject: The personal, corporate or geographic name associated with the record, or the activity described.
Type: Describes the format of the photograph (b&w, 8x10, neg., color transparency, etc).
Box: Lists the box or box and folder number .
Reference: Internal reference codes.
Download the MS-Access file DEDPHOTOS.ZIP (328 kilobytes)
Divorce Index 1800-1891. This MS-Access 97 database indexes divorces heard in the County Supreme Judicial Courts in Maine between 1800 and 1891. All Maine counties are listed with the exception of Lincoln County, who still has their records at the Court House in Wiscasset. Also not indexed are divorce cases heard in the Courts of Common Pleas or the early District Courts.
Records: 14,126records (1938 kilobytes).
Fields:
ID: Unique record identifier.
Plaintiff: The name of the person bringing the libel for divorce.
Defendant: The name of the person being divorced.
Term: Month and year the case was heard.
Docket: Identifying docket number of the case .
County: County of the Court.
Court: SJC for Supreme Judicial Court.
Vol/pg: The volume and page the case is recorded in.
Download the MS-Access file divorce.zip (541 kilobytes)
Executive Council 1820-1835. This MS-Access 97 database indexes the papers of the Executive Council which existed from 1820 until 1978, initially having great powers of government administration and finance.
Records: 10,198, of which 1,853 are cross-references.
Fields:
ID: Unique record identifier.
Name: The personal or corporate name associated with the record.
Description: Of the records: content and context.
Year: The year the record was created.
Reference: Internal reference codes.
Download the MS-Access file EXCOUN.ZIP (389 kilobytes)
Executive Council 1836-1040. This database is a continuation of the previous database. These deal with the administration of the State, reports from Indian Agents, organization of the militia, construction of roads, pardons, payment of pensions, among many other issues.
(680 kb.)
Records: 6,437.
Fields:
Subject: The personal, place, corporate name or topic associated with the record.
Report: of the records - content and context.
Year: The year the record was created.
Location: Agency reference code.
Download the MS-Access file Exco3640.zip (167 kb.)
Hancock County Court of Sessions . This MS-Access 97 database indexes the original papers we have for the early cases from the Hancock County Court of Sessions. The Court of Sessions, in addition to handling early criminal cases, also had the function of early County Commissioners. These records list costs of County Government, criminal cases, road petitions, appointing ferrymen and innkeepers, and reports from the County Coronor, etc. (1970 kb.)
Inclusive Dates:. 1788 tp 1881. Very incomplete after the 1840's.
Records:. 7247
Fields:
Autonumber: Computer generated number.
Keywords: Personal, corporate and place names, as well as topics covered in these files.
Subject: Description of the subject handled in the file.
Term: Term of Court.
Location: Internal reference code.
Download the MS-Access file HANSESS.ZIP (486 kb.)
Legislature. This MS-Access 97 database contains the title and disposition of all legislation introduced in Maine from 1820 through 1860.
Inclusive Dates: 1820-1860.
Records: 29,954, with 10,095 cross-references.
Fields:
F001: Unique record identifier.
First Date: The year in which the legislation was introduced; the first year if a range of years is indicated.
Title: The formal title of the legislation.
Type: Type of item: PL=public law; PS=private and special law; RS=resolve; GY="graveyard" (items not passed)
Reference: Internal reference codes.
Index: A standard set of terms and town names by which the records may be searched. Linked in a companion table via the F001 field.
Download the MS-Access file LEGALL.ZIP (3 megabytes)
Legislature 61-65. This MS-Access 97 database contains the title and disposition of all legislation introduced in Maine from 1861 through 1865. (1014 kb.)
Inclusive Dates: 1861-1865.
Records: 9,430.
Fields:
Subjects: Personal, place, corporate names or topics dealt with in the legislative business during this period.
Descript: The formal title of the legislation.
Year: The year in which the legislation was introduced.
GYPLPSRS : Type of item: PL=public law; PS=private and special law; RS=resolve; GY="graveyard" (items not passed)
Locate: Internal reference codes.
Download the MS-Access file Laws6165.zip (256 kb.)
Maps 1674-1989. This MS-Access 97 database contains verbal descriptions of maps located within our collections. It includes a list of suggested keywords for searching.
Inclusive Dates: 1674-1989; 32 17th century records; 1,278 18th century; 2,780 19th century; and 3,407 for the 20th century; 940 are undated.
Records: 8438 of approximately 6,600 unique maps; cross references by old and new town names or maps spanning more than one town account for the difference.
Fields:
Mapcode A 5-digit code, developed by the State Planning Office, uniquely identifying each minor civil division - city, town or plantation (MCD); the first two digits identify the county in which the MCD is located; villages and locations within the MCD are given that MCD's mapcode.
Town The name of the city, town, plantation or location in which the map area is located.
Surveyor The name (individual or corporate) of the surveyor.
Year The year in which the survey was taken; the first year if a range of years is indicated.
Features A brief description of the map: cemetery, airport, town boundary.
Source The agency of government or other entity that owned the map prior to its receipt by the Archives.
Reference A Internal reference codes.
Reference B Internal reference codes.
Notes Additional comments.
Download the MS-Access file MAPS99.ZIP (341 kilobytes)
Mexican War Soldiers . This indexes information on 775 men who enlisted in the 1st Maine Infantry during the Mexican War. This regiment was never called up to active duty, but it gives good information on these early Maine men. (274 kb.)
Records: 775.
Fields:
ID: Computer generated number.
Name: Name of veteran.
Born: Place of birth.
Age: Age at enlistment.
Height: Height of veteran.
Complexion: Complexion of veteran.
Hair Color: Hair color of veteran.
Occupation: Occupation of veteran.
Residence: Town veteran lived in.
Street: Street address, if given.
Enlisted on: Date of enlistment.
Term: Number of Years Enlistment or "During the War"
Unit: Regiment and Company.
Rank: Private, Corporal, Sergeant, etc.
Source: Download the MS-Access file MexWar.zip (57 kb.)
Moving Images. State agencies have created films promoting Maine for years. Original masters are preserved in their original form, while user access is available through the video copies cataloged here. Northeast Historic Film provides archival preservation and duplication services for the Maine State Archives.
Inclusive Dates: 1955-1976, though many are undated.
Records: 250 titles.
Fields:
ID: Unique record identifier
Repository: Holder of the records
NHFWO: Northeast Historic Film Work Order (contractor information)
Reel Number: Repository reel number
Counter: Hour:minute:second for video of multiple reels
Title: Formal title or descriptive name
Film Format: Film Format
Length: Length in feet
Sound: Sound or Silent
Color: Color or black and white
Creating Agency: Creating agency
Personalities: Identifiable individuals
Video Format: Video tape format
Entry: Who entered database information and when
Exposure: Date Exposure date (when the images were created)
Place: Geographic and/or community location identified in the film
Description: Brief summary description of film contents
Keywords: A standard set of terms and town names by which the records may be searched.
Download the MS-Access file MOVIMAGE.ZIP (47 kilobytes)
Photographs. These photographs are primarily scenic images taken by George French for himself and the Department of Economic Development (1920's-1950's); and photo images of Maine Senate Presidents from portraits and photographs (1820-1980's). Virtually all are black and white. Only a smalll fraction (approximately 200) have been scanned from proof prints to provide adequate screen images: scenics at 175 dpi; portraits at 75 dpi.
Inclusive Dates: 1820-1950; George French collection, 1900-1958.
Records: 7,174, approximately 100 of which are of Senate Presidents.
Fields: (Those after Image Field are generally empty, awaiting further inventory.)
F001: Unique record identifier.
Year: The year in which the image was created; the first year if a range of years is indicated.
Brief description: Includes significant details: equipment; location; number of men, women, children; names appearing on buildings, vehicles.
Negative #: Negative number, a unique identifier.
Reference: Internal reference codes.
Image Available: Scanned image available in the database? Y= Yes, blank = No
Image Field: Field in which the image is located.
Coloration: One color, black-and-white, multicolored, hand colored, mixed, other, unknown
Process: 35mm slide, photoprint, other, unknown.
Film Base: Acetate undetermined, diacetate, polyester, mixed, triacetate, nitrate, mixed nitrate and safety, other, unknown, not applicable.
Material Primary support: glass, synthetic, skin/leather, metal, mixed collection, paper, other, unknown.
Provenance: The agency of government or other entity that owned the image prior to its receipt by the Archives.
Genre: Group portrait, individual portrait, landscape, cityscape, waterscape, other.
Size: Dimensions in inches or centimeters, height x width: 4x5 in., 8x10 in., 11x15 cm.
Medium: Negative, print, postcard, stereoview, etc.
Index: A standard set of terms and town names by which the records may be searched. Linked in a companion table via the F001 field.
Download the MS-Access file PHOTO99.ZIP (54 megabytes)
Railroad Track Layouts . This indexes information about the railroad track layouts from the Railroad Commissions records. These maps date from 1835 to 1941. (596 kb.)
Records: 1,235.
Fields:
ID: Computer generated number.
Railroad: Name of the Railroad.
Description: This lists the geographical area covered by the track layout, and describes the map, whether blueprint or mylar, or if it is a profile.
Year: Year the tracklayout was received by the Commissioners.
Number: The map number.
Size: Map size in feet and inches.
Location: Internal Reference Code.
Source: Download the MS-Access file Railroads.zip (134 kb.)
Revolutionary War Land Grant and Pension Applications. This indexes the names of vetrans or their widows applying for Land Grants or Pension Applications. (306 kb.)
Records: 2,129.
Fields:
Soldier's Name : Name of the Veteran.
Widow's Name : Name of the Widow applying.
Town: Residence of Applicant .
Source: Source of the document. For Land Grants either Maine (for a Maine Land Grant) or Mass. for a Land Grant for Massachusetts veterans in Massachusetts owned land in Maine). For pensions, it identifys the court where the application was made (HCCR = Hancock County Court Records, LCCR = Lincoln County Court Records, YCCR = York County Court Records).
Source: Download the MS-Access file REV-VET.ZIP (71 kb.)
Secretary of State Correspondence 1820-1940. The letters in this series are the incoming correspondence of the Secretary of State's office. There are over 10,000 individual letters dealing with the state government's business from 1819-1914. The Secretary of State's office was created in Article V, part 3 of the Maine State Constitution. The duties included were to attend to the Governor and Council, Senate and House of Representatives as required; to keep and preserve records of all the official acts of the Governor, Council and the Legislature. The correspondence sent to the Secretary of State between the years 1820 to 1914 included but not limited to the business of the Northeast Boundary Dispute, and dealings with the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes. Establishing various railroads within the State's boundaries, the Maine Medical School in Bowdoin and the State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (University of Maine at Orono). Petitions from individuals recommending their favorite person for a government commission as well as requesting commissions to the acknowledgment of deeds or other contracts, and depositions in other states.
(5,490 kb.)
Content Item : Computer generated number.
Container ID:
Unique Container Number
Item Date: Date the letter was written.
Item Description: Description of the content of the letter
BoxFolder: Box and Folder Number.
Item Comments: Additional comments on the letter.
Date Updated: Date entered into the database.
Subjects: Keyword of subject matter of the letter.
Names: Personal, corporate or government name.
Download the MS-Access file SOSLET.ZIP (1,631 kb.)
Town Records on Microfilm. These are held by the Archives for public reference. Most were created by the Mormon Church, which has posted substantial information at www.familysearch.org. We also have U.S. Census records filmed by the National Archives.
Inclusive Dates: Of material on the films:1630-1990.
Records: 2,115, each representing a roll of microfilm.
Fields:
Town: The name of the city, town, plantation or location to which the records refer.
Content: Indicates content such as births, deaths, marriages, marriage intentions, town records, militia enrollment, tax lists, etc.
Range of Years: The first and last year if a range of years is indicated.
Last Year: The Last year if a range of years is indicated.
Notes: Usually whether an index to the contents exists on the microfilm.
Film Box: The unique number associated with this roll of microfilm
Download the MS-Access file MFLIST.ZIP (171 kilobytes)
War of 1812 Veterans . This indexes information on 1893 men from Maine and other places around the north east. These men served in the 33rd and 34th U.S. Infantry and also contains a list of names of those on board the U.S.S. Adams, blown up at Hampden, Maine on Sept. 3, 1814. (904 kb.)
Records: 1,893.
Fields:
ID: Computer generated number.
Name: Name of veteran.
Born: Place of birth.
Age: Age at enlistment.
Height: Height of veteran.
Complexion: Complexion of veteran.
Eye Color: Eye Color of veteran.
Hair Color: Hair color of veteran.
Occupation: Occupation of veteran.
Residence: Town veteran lived in.
Date of Enlistment: Date of enlistment.
Enlisted at: Place of enlistment.
Unit: Regiment and Company or Ship Name.
Rank: Private, Corporal, Sergeant, etc.
Enlisted by: Name and Rank of Recruiting Officer
Term: Number of Years Enlistment or "During the War"
Comments: Misc. comments, ie. died, etc.
Source:
Download the MS-Access file War1812.zip (191 kilobytes)
Other Indexes
Maine Minor Civil Divisions - Legal History Database. Taken from our print publication Counties, Cities, Towns, and Plantations of Maine, Private and Special Laws, and other sources, the data trace the legal evolution of many minor civil divisions (MCD) from township, to plantation, to town or city, and sometimes back to township.
Inclusive Dates: November 20, 1652 to August 11, 2000.
Records: 5,047, each representing an MCD at each change in its status.
Fields:
Geodoce: The five digit number specifically designating a particular MCD.
Place code: Random, unique number within an MCD.
Status: T=Town; C=City; P=Plantation, U=unorganized, V=village; L=location, D=District, A=alternate common name, O=alternate official name..
Standard name: Standard representation of village, location, or alternate name, following agreed abbreviations and rules..
Official name: Official or locally known name based on legislative or other authority.
Authority: P&S (Private and Special Law) c. ### YYYY; Massachusetts; MSA Handbook (Archives' research reference); other
Others.
Download the MS-Access file GEOMAST.ZIP (171 kilobytes)
This page was last updated on October 17, 2007.
