I understand that birth records are not available before January 1875 for the City of Baltimore. The person I am researching was born in October 1871 in Baltimore, Baltimore Co., MD according to her death record and census records from West Virginia. She was the first of five children born to a single mother whom I cannot find in the 1870 Maryland census (or any other state). Any suggestions? An archivist suggested her mother was a prostitute. Was prostitution legal in Baltimore in the 1870s? Are there court records for "bastard" children? Thanks in advance. --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better