The 150th anniversary of the American Civil War provided a fresh opportunity to examine this watershed event in our nation's history and the profound impact it had on the lives of individuals. Many of the stories of those who lived during the period are told in the letters, diaries, photographs, and other documents that have been kept by families and handed down through the generations. Members of the Maryland History and Culture Collaborative, working with Digital Maryland and representatives from many local institutions, partnered to create a statewide online collection of original Civil War manuscripts that remain in private hands. This collection was a multi-year initiative to locate, digitize and provide worldwide access to the private documentary heritage of the American Civil War era located in Maryland.