Digitized collections from our archives and links to exhibits and resources to assist researchers, students, educators, and citizens. Please note that some of these links will open external websites such as CONTENTdm, Flickr, and YouTube.

The descriptions of our collections are available via the Delaware Public Archives Portal. Visit the Search Our Collections webpage to learn more.

We are dedicated to continuously reviewing and enhancing our descriptive practices to incorporate more respectful and inclusive terminology when possible. Please see our Harmful Content Advisory for more about these efforts.

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Resources

The Delaware Public Archives is pleased to present its new content management system, the Delaware Public Archives Portal, which provides access to nearly 1.3 million records held by the Archives. Its user-friendly interface is a gateway to our documents, photographs, books, audiovisual material, and more, designed to improve access to Delaware’s state and historical records.

Ancestry: The Delaware Public Archives partners with Ancestry.com to provide free access to State of Delaware residents, allowing you to explore the fully digitized collections below. Access to these records does require an Ancestry.com account, which is also free.

Archived Websites: Archive-It archives the webpages of many State of Delaware agencies and municipalities.

Delaware Library Catalog: The books, published volumes, and periodicals in the holdings of the Delaware Public Archives (DPA) are now indexed in the Delaware Library Catalog. This online resource allows users to search through the collections of many different Delaware libraries and research facilities at once.

DPA on CONTENTdm: CONTENTdm is a cloud-based repository of digital collections through the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). The Delaware Public Archives is one of the institutions belonging to The Delaware Collections; material is uploaded as often as possible, with specific collection links provided on the Archives website.

eBooks: Titles from our DE Heritage Collection in PDF format.

Executive Orders: A complete collection of executive orders issued by Governors of Delaware, from the first order signed by Governor McMullen in 1939, to Governor Hall-Long.

Educator Resources: The Delaware Public Archives has resources for Delaware teachers to use in their classrooms. Sponsored by the Friends of the Delaware Archives, this project provides teachers with ready-to-use, standards-based lessons and resources that engage students with a range of primary and secondary sources.

Delaware 250 Resources: Resources from the Delaware Public Archives supporting the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Supply Tax: These links to the Sons of the American Revolution(SAR) and Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR) websites provide information on how to utilize the collections at the Delaware Public Archives to demonstrate patriotic service for membership in their respective organizations

Town and City Histories: Comprehensive histories of the governance and management of Delaware’s municipalities. These summaries are updated continually.

Additional Information

Accessions: The Delaware Public Archives receives new accessions regularly. This page highlights some of the more interesting items received.

Records Availability: A few words about the availability of records at the Delaware Public Archives.

Requesting Records: Please read the following information before placing your request, as it will provide information to help you form your inquiries for better results. Information here includes Fees, Information about Vital Statistic Requests, Photograph Requests, and Microfilm Requests.

Public Forms: This page contains links to research forms and the Volunteer and Internship Application Form.

Visiting the DPA: Helpful information when planning a trip to the Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room.