Delaware Public Archives Blog

In the early nineteenth century, Patty Cannon was the alleged leader of a notorious gang in Sussex County that was known for kidnapping possibly hundreds of free African Americans for sale into slavery. Featured on an episode of the PBS series “History Detectives,” and the subject of numerous fictional and non-fiction accounts, Cannon’s life and […]

On August 7, the Delaware Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (DESSAR) donated to the Delaware Public Archives seven hundred completed applications for membership to their organization which preserve records related to the events leading up to and during the American Revolution. Delaware Public Archives Director Stephen M. Marz added, “This will be […]

While indexing the Vietnam Mailbag Records, we came across this image from June 1971 of 1st Lt. Robert Nowaczyk of Claymont and a Sika deer. A deer in Vietnam? Why, yes! Sika deer lived throughout eastern Asia as far south as Vietnam and as far north as Russia. Not only is this image a special […]

Looking for a new way to search for your genealogy online?  This workshop may give you the clues you need to find your ancestors through Google.  On Saturday, August 3, 10:30 a.m., the Delaware Public Archives will host a workshop entitled “Google Tools for Genealogy.”  Presented by Leah Youse, MLIS, (pictured below) this presentation will provide […]

  In 1800, the nation experienced the most bitter Presidential Election in its brief history when Thomas Jefferson challenged incumbent John Adams  for the highest office in the United States. On Saturday, July 6, 10:30 a.m. Dr. Cynthia Newton of Wesley College will present a program at the Delaware Public Archives that will focus on […]

Are you headed to one of our incredible beaches this Memorial Day weekend? Then why not share your Delaware beach photos with us for our latest online exhibit. Not many people send postcards anymore.  With today’s technology we send pictures from our phones. We’d love to see what was happening at the beach and around Delaware at the official […]

If you were born, married, or attended public school in Delaware, eventually the Delaware Public Archives will have a record of you. On Saturday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. the staff of the Delaware Public Archives will conduct a tour of this remarkable facility. This annual “behind the scenes” tour of the building, conducted by […]

  George Luther Caley was a well-known genealogist, author, local historian and an avid postcard collector. During his lifetime, George supported many causes to preserve and share history on the Delmarva Peninsula. He and his wife, Irene, were Friends and volunteers at the Delaware Public Archives. When George passed away in 2005, the future of […]

A proclamation signed by President Obama yesterday designated three sites in Delaware as a National Monument. The Dover Green, New Castle County Court House Complex and Woodlawn, a scenic tract of land east of the Brandywine River and north of Brandywine Creek State Park, make up The First State’s first National Monument.  The President designated […]

On Wednesday, February 27, Governor Jack Markell presented the Governor’s Heritage Award to former Delaware Supreme Court Justice and Secretary of State William T. Quillen at a ceremony at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover. The Governor’s Heritage Award is given to those Delawareans who have contributed significantly to the recognition, preservation, and celebration of Delaware’s […]