Delaware Public Archives Blog

If you were born, married, or attended public school in Delaware, eventually the Delaware Public Archives (DPA) will receive the information that documents these important events. On Saturday, May 2, 1:30 p.m. the staff of the Archives will conduct a tour of this remarkable facility. This annual “behind the scenes” tour of the building, conducted […]

From April 12 through April 19, the Delaware Public Archives will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln death by displaying a set of documents and photographs related to Lincoln’s assassination. Along with pictures of both Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, the display features Lincoln’s funeral procession program, a […]

Have you ever wondered about your family genealogy but didn’t know where to start? The Delaware Public Archives (DPA) is pleased to announce that volunteers from local genealogical societies will be on site to help you with your research on Saturday, April 11 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Volunteers will be available to answer […]

The Delaware Public Archives (DPA) was honored today by a visit from members of the Delaware Hispanic Commission to help launch the “Behind the Scenes” Spanish speaking tour series. “This ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour in Spanish is one of several Archives’ initiatives recognizing the growing influence of the Hispanic community in the First State’s history and […]

When it comes to family history, those books, papers and photographs we all keep stored away do more than just record the past — they connect us with our loved ones and ancestors, and often tell us as much about our present and future as they do about our history. Join the Delaware Public Archives […]

On February 19, 1945, the United States Marines began their attack on Iwo Jima to secure the island in preparation for the invasion of Japan. For the next seven weeks, American forces were involved in a desperate struggle with the Japanese to gain control of the island. On Saturday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m., retired […]

On Monday night, February 23, 6:30 p.m., Tom Summers, Outreach Services Manager at the Delaware Public Archives, will be speaking at the Lewes Public Library in Lewes, Delaware. Summers will be presenting a program titled “More Treasures of the Delaware Public Archives.” While the Delaware Public Archives has presented its original “Treasures” program for many […]

Nineteenth century African American genealogy is particularly difficult for researchers. On Saturday, February 7, at 10:30 a.m. the Delaware Public Archives will host a special program which will explore this challenging time period for African American genealogy. Presented by Shamele Jordon, the program will focus on a variety of sources and strategies for locating ancestors […]

In 1814 the War of 1812 was entering into its second full year. During the previous year the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware Valley region experienced active naval campaigning and a seaborne blockade. On Saturday, January 3, at 10:30 a.m. historian Charles (Chuck) Fithian will visit the Delaware Public Archives to present a program on […]

Tom Summers, Outreach Services Manager One of the joys of working at the Delaware Public Archives is discovering interesting documents that have not been processed until now and has not been seen for hundreds of years. Recently, I blogged about a Kent County Orphans Court plot that was more than 25 feet long which was […]