Researching Your Delaware Ancestors

Postal Code: DE Abbreviation: Del.
Capital: Dover
First permanent settlement 1638 by New Sweden(Fort Christina)
Dutch rule 1655-1664; 1664 English rule and influx of English settlers. 1682 granted to William Penn; 1703 Delaware granted its own assembly. 1684-1763 Maryland claimed parts of Delaware.
Admitted as the 1st state in 1787.
First mostly extant federal census: 1800
Statewide birth and death records: 1861-1863, 1881-
Statewide marriage records 1847-
(Individual counties will have earlier vital records. )
State-land state.

There is nothing more helpful that a handy reference book with information specific to the area you are researching. I've listed below those that I know about.

(find in a library) will give you a link to help you find the book in the library closest to you. Most will show libraries near Ann Arbor... to change the location, type in your zip code and you can find libraries near you.

All of the three books listed below have a small section covering each state that includes maps, historical information, vital records coverage and a bibliography of resources for that state.

1. Handybook for Genealogists ( 11th edition) (find in a library) (note: some libraries may have earleir editions; those are perfectly usable)
2. Ancestry's Redbook (you'll want the 3rd edition) (find in a library)
3. The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogical Research (find in a library)

Here are some books specific to Delaware research

Delaware Genealogical Research Guide

* FHL Delaware R esearch Outline
* Delaware Gen Web
* ALHN Delaware Page #1
* Delaware Genealogy Project
* Delaware Public Archives (guide to the collections)
* Genealogy Research at the University of Delaware Library
* Historical Society of Delaware
* Delaware Genealogical Society
* Delaware Genealogical Society Directory
* Delaware Newspaper Project
* Delaware Newspapers in the Univeristy of Delaware Library (microfilmed copies will be available through Interlibrary Loan)
* Delaware Vital Records (official)
* Vitalrec Delaware Page
* Delaware Black Sheep
More Links
* Genealogy Today's State Gen Site: Delaware
* Ancestors Delaware Resource Guide
* Rootsweb: Delaware
* Genealink's Delaware Page
* Access Genealogy's List of Delaware Links
* Cyndi's List Delaware Page