Delaware Public Archives Blog

We typically do not collect private papers, but we do have some.  One of the collections of private papers we have in our Small Manuscript Collection is the Florence Lewis Papers.  There are several series within this collection, from newspapers to genealogical research notes. But the one I want to talk about today is the […]

This weekend we pause to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  I would like to take a few minutes to tell you that we have lots of records relating to not only Delaware’s involvement in wars, but the individuals who served. We have records from the Revolutionary War up through […]

The Delaware Public Archives will sponsor a workshop entitled Using Heritage Quest to Find Your Family Roots on Saturday, June 5, 10:30 a.m. HeritageQuest Online is a unique resource for both genealogical and historical researchers. With coverage dating back to the late 1700s, researchers can use HeritageQuest to find their ancestors, trace their paths across […]

This past weekend was the spring race for NASCAR at Dover International Speedway.  One might say “What would the archives possibly have on a NASCAR event?”  For starters, we have lots of photographs.  We have great aerial views of Dover Downs from the 1970’s to the 1990’s.  It is incredible to see how the seating […]

We had a group of students come in the other day that was studying early Delaware.  Their assignment was to find interesting tidbits about Delaware.  We sent them to the early court records for each of the counties. They were surprised at what they found. For example, there is a list and description of livestock […]

This Saturday will be the 77th annual Old Dover Days Festival. There will be the traditional Maypole dance, parade, house tours, and many other events. Did you know that Mabel Lloyd Ridgely was one of the founders of Dover Days?  Did you know that the research room was named in honor of her? Mrs. Ridgely had […]

If you were born, married, or attended public school in Delaware, eventually the Delaware Public Archives will have a record of you.  This “behind the scenes” tour of the Delaware Public Archives offers the public the opportunity to learn more about the role of the Archives, and see how the Archives preserves and protects the […]

I saw in the newspaper the other day that they are predicting that the mosquitos are going to be really bad this year because of all the water still laying around.  Did you know that we have records of the Civilian Conservation Corps and Mosquito Control?  We have scrapbooks, diaries, ditch drawings, and photographs. Subjects […]

So I was watching TV the other night and happened to catch the new NBC show entitled “Who Do You Think You Are?”. It’s about 7 celebraties who are researching their genealogy. You never know what you may uncover or who you may be related to. Did you know that you can find out more about […]

Has anyone ever told you that you may have American Indian ancestry?  Have you ever wondered how you could find out?  One clue may be your last name.  Each tribe has particular surnames that are associated with them.  Names like Coker, Jackson, Durham, and Norwood to name just a few. There are two recognized American Indian […]