Glossary

The number assigned to a record by the Maryland State Archives. This number is a combination of a series number and a unit number. For example, C123-1.


The number of the book in which a document is recorded.

The number of the box in which a document is stored.


Acts as part of a reference number for older plats in some counties, wherein the plats were originally stored in cabinets.

Refers to the book and page that was assigned to a plat.  In older plats, this may include rod, slot, cabinet and/or drawer number.


Refers to the date when a right of way plat was created.

Refers to the date when a plat was recorded in a Circuit Court. A plat is not officially a record until this has occurred.

A written document, properly signed and delivered, that conveys title to real property.

Refers to the name of a subdivision, right of way, property or owner.

An image derived from the scanning of a paper or mylar plat.

Acts as part of a reference number for older plats in some counties, wherein the plats were originally stored in drawers.


The right, privilege, or interest that one party has in the land of another.


The number assigned to a plat by either a Circuit Court or the State Highway Administration.

A synonym for the word "page."


Instrument documenting the first conveyance of a parcel of land. Patents were originally granted by Lord Baltimore and are now issued by the State of Maryland. In theory, all land in the state has been patented, but some land may be legally vacant due to survey errors or land simply not being included in an original patent. For additional information on the patent process, see Modern Land Patents.

Instruments pertaining to real property conveyances occurring after the original land patent, including deeds, assignments, leases, mortgages, releases, powers of attorney, agreements, and rights-of-way.

A synonym for the word "book."


An image derived from the scanning of a microfilmed copy of a plat.


The number of the page(s) on which a document is recorded.

A map or plan of an area of land showing actual or proposed features.

The number assigned to a plat by either a Circuit Court or the State Highway Administration.

The number of the State Highway project in which the right of way plat was created.


A letter at the start of a series number that designates the level of the government agency that created the record and the format of it.  For example, C refers to a paper based county agency record series, while S refers to a paper based state agency record series.


The strip of land over which facilities such as highways, railroads, or power lines are built.

The number assigned to a right of way plat.

Acts as part of a reference number for older plats in some counties, wherein the plats originally were hung on rods and placed in cabinets.


A grouping of records of the same type from the same jurisdiction. An example of a plat series is Baltimore County Circuit Court Condominium Plats.

A cataloging number that the Maryland State Archives assigns to a record series.

Acts as part of a reference number for older plats in some counties, wherein the plats were originally stored on rods and the rods placed in slots.

Record of plats filed by the State Roads Commission showing property or rights of way acquired or conveyed by the Commission.


A decription of the starting and ending point of a right of way plat. For example, Appion Way to Water Oak Point Road.


The number assigned to a specific record in a series. For example, C123-1 means that the record is the first unit in series C123.