Celebrate Delaware Day!
In recognition of Delaware Day, December 7, being the day that Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, the Delaware Public Archives has recently created a shadow box exhibit that celebrates the story of Delaware’s role as the First State to ratify the United States Constitution. This exhibit features facsimiles of […]
Delaware Public Archives Launches Searchable Finding Aids Tool
There’s a new tool now available for online patrons to search the records of the Delaware Public Archives. Known as the Collection Gateway, this new feature searches the databases of nineteen different collections in the Archives. The Collection Gateway will open a treasure trove of information for historians, genealogists, and all citizens who have an […]
The Tragic Odyssey of Obie Evans and other African-Americans in Civil War Delaware
Join us on Saturday, November 5, 10:30 a.m. as the Delaware Public Archives continues its commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War with a program entitled “The Tragic Odyssey of Obie Evans and other African-Americans in Civil-War Delaware.” Obie Evans escaped slavery, survived the Battle of the Crater, and participated in Baltimore’s post-war street […]
Location! Location! Location! by Russ McCabe
On Saturday, August 6, 10:30 a.m., the Delaware Public Archives will sponsor a program entitled “Location! Location! Location!” Retired State Archivist and Delaware historian Russ McCabe will discuss the many ways in which geography shaped the history and development of Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula. With particular emphasis on the colonial era, the early statehood period, […]
Recent Donation Includes Additional Gems
While the recent donation from Mildred Hicks of Florida included the Buckson Papers, a collection of original letters written by her great-grandfather Stephen Buckson during his time serving in a Delaware unit during the Civil War, Mrs. Hicks also sent other materials that citizens will find interesting. Because her family vacationed in the Bowers Beach […]
Looking for Primary Sources about the Civil War? Check Out the Delaware Public Archives Website
The official sesquicentennial commemoration of the American Civil War kicked off today with a ceremony held at the Delaware Public Archives. Attended by Governor Jack Markell, the event highlights the new online exhibit of Civil War holdings from the collections of the Archives. This new online feature (which went live today!) on the website CivilWar.delaware.gov includes […]
Sailing Along The Mispillion
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 […]
Wolves Head?
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 […]
Am I Part American Indian?
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 […]
