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    • Main contributor: Thomas MacEntee
    Delaware postcard
    Delaware postcard

    Delaware, one of the original Thirteen Colonies and often called the “First State,” holds a wealth of genealogical treasures dating back to the 1600s. From its early colonial land grants to modern vital records, this compact but historically rich state offers researchers a range of resources for uncovering ancestral ties. Understanding Delaware’s unique blend of colonial heritage, stable county boundaries, and regional influences is key to navigating its historical records effectively. This authoritative guide provides both new and seasoned genealogists with step-by-step strategies—spanning vital records, census returns, land deeds, probate archives, and more—to trace and verify Delaware lineage. By applying a methodical approach to the state’s repositories, online collections, and local historical societies, you will discover the documents and narratives that illuminate your family’s place in Delaware’s storied past.

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    Learn Delaware’s Geographic and Historical Context

    Before diving into specific records, become familiar with Delaware’s counties and how the state’s history might affect record availability:

    • Counties: New Castle (the northernmost), Kent (central), and Sussex (southern).
    • County Formations: The three Delaware counties have been stable since colonial times, which can simplify historical research.
    • Border Influence: Delaware is close to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; boundary disputes and cross-border movement may mean your ancestors’ records are sometimes found outside Delaware.

    Why This Matters

    • Understanding county boundaries and historical contexts helps you look in the correct places for your ancestors’ land deeds, probate files, and other documents.

    Delaware Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death)

    Birth Records

    Statewide birth registration commenced in 1861 but was discontinued two years later, in 1863. In 1881, authorities reinstituted birth registration, and by 1921, compliance was largely achieved. In the absence of an official birth record, death records can serve as a useful alternative source for birth information. However, because the birth data on a death certificate is typically recorded long after the event, it constitutes secondary evidence. Corroborate any birth details gleaned from death records with additional sources to ensure accuracy.

    • State Registration: Delaware mandated statewide registration of births beginning around 1913.
    • Earlier Records: Prior to this date, birth records are more sporadic and may appear in county registers or in family Bibles.
    • Where to Look:
      • Delaware Vital Records Office: For official copies of birth certificates.
      • Delaware Public Archives: They hold microfilm copies of older birth records.
      • Online Databases: Often have indexes or digitized images.

    Marriage Records

    • Dates of Coverage: Delaware counties often have marriage records dating back to the early 1800s.
    • Where to Look:
      • Clerk of the Peace Offices: Located at county courthouses, they may hold historical marriage licenses and registers.
      • Delaware Public Archives: Some marriage records are archived there or are available via microfilm.
      • Church Registers: Particularly if your ancestors practiced their faith in long-established congregations such as the Quakers, Episcopalians, or Methodists.

    Death Records

    The State of Delaware began recording deaths in 1913. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information.

    • State Registration: Death registration in Delaware began in 1881, though compliance improved over time.
    • Where to Look:
      • Delaware Vital Records Office: For official death certificates.
      • Delaware Public Archives: Microfilmed death records, cemetery records, and funeral home documents.
      • Tombstone Transcriptions: Check local genealogical societies for published transcriptions of old cemeteries.

    How to Use Them

    • Corroborate Dates: Compare birth, marriage, and death dates to ensure accuracy.
    • Gather Parents’ Names: Vital records often contain parents’ names and other details that lead you to the previous generation.
    • Identify Siblings and Extended Family: By looking at marriage witnesses or informants on death certificates, you may uncover siblings or in-laws.

    Census Records

    Federal Censuses

    • Dates: Federal censuses have been taken every 10 years since 1790. The 1790 census has been lost - use tax records as a substitute. Keep in mind that most of the 1890 census was destroyed by fire, but other schedules (e.g., 1880, 1900, 1910) still survive and are particularly valuable.
    • What You’ll Find: Names, ages, birthplaces, family relationships, and occupations. Later censuses (especially 1900 onward) often list month and year of birth.

    State and Territorial Censuses

    There are no state censuses for Delaware similar to those found in New York and New Jersey.

    • Delaware State Censuses: Not as extensive as some other states, but there may be limited enumerations in certain years or local tax records that function similarly to censuses.
    • Where to Look: Check the Delaware Public Archives for tax lists, lists of inhabitants, or other enumerations.

    How to Use Them

    • Trace Migration: Notice if an ancestor moves from one county to another or left Delaware.
    • Identify Neighbors: Sometimes neighbors turn out to be relatives or future in-laws.
    • Compare Multiple Years: This helps confirm consistent ages, places of birth, and family size.

    Land and Property Records

    Land Deeds

    • Where to Search:
      • County Recorder of Deeds: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties maintain deed books. Some records date back to the 1600s, reflecting Delaware’s colonial roots.
      • Delaware Public Archives: May have microfilm copies of older deeds.
    • Why Important: Land records can reveal family relationships (e.g., when property is transferred among relatives).

    Land Grants & Warrants

    • Colonial Period: Early land grants may have been recorded by the Penn family (for northern Delaware) or by the Lords Baltimore (for southern portions), during border disputes with Maryland.
    • How to Use: Check for ancestors’ names in indexes; if you locate them, the grants can reveal vital clues about settlement patterns and approximate arrival dates in Delaware.

    Probate, Estate, and Court Records

    Wills and Estates

    • Location: Held at county Register of Wills offices. Depending on the time period, records may be on microfilm at the Delaware Public Archives or online.
    • Details Found: Wills often name surviving children, spouses, siblings, and, occasionally, extended family. Estate inventories list personal property and may provide insight into occupations or wealth.

    Court Records

    • Variety: Chancery court records, orphans’ court records, guardianships, and other legal proceedings often contain genealogical data.
    • How to Access: Search the Delaware Public Archives for indexes. You may need to visit the relevant county courthouse in person or request copies.

    Church and Religious Records

    Denominational Background

    • Quakers: Significant Quaker populations in northern Delaware. Check monthly meeting minutes for births, marriages, and membership transfers.
    • Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Catholics: These denominations often kept thorough records of baptisms, marriages, burials, and memberships.
    • Where to Look:
      • Local Congregations: Some keep historical registers onsite.
      • Denominational Archives: Many have centralized repositories.
      • Online: May have digitized church books.

    Newspapers and Obituaries

    • Local Papers: The Wilmington News Journal (New Castle County), Delaware State News (Kent County), and various Sussex County weeklies.
    • Obituaries: Often list spouse, children, siblings, and extended family.
    • Where to Access:
      • Public Libraries: Some maintain newspaper archives on microfilm.
      • Online Databases: NewspaperArchive, Newspapers.com, GenealogyBank, or local library websites.

    Immigration and Naturalization Records

    • Port of Entry: While Delaware was not the busiest immigration port, some ancestors may have arrived via Wilmington or other East Coast ports before settling in Delaware.
    • Where to Look:
      • Federal Naturalization Records: Typically filed in U.S. District Courts or County Courts.
      • Delaware Public Archives: May hold older naturalization records.
      • Online: Search online for digitized petitions.

    Note: If your ancestor arrived in Philadelphia or Baltimore and then moved to Delaware, check those port records as well.

    African American and Indigenous Genealogy

    African American Research

    • Post-Emancipation Records: Freedmen’s Bureau records (1865–1872) sometimes mention people who lived or settled in Delaware.
    • Church Records: African American churches often kept baptisms, marriages, and funeral registers.
    • Local Historical Societies: Contact them about Freedman’s Bank records or other reconstruction-era documents that might list Delawareans.

    Native American Ancestry

    • Tribal Histories: While Delaware’s indigenous peoples (such as the Lenape) largely relocated, local historical groups may hold records pertaining to native families.
    • State and County Archives: Look for special collections or references to indigenous communities or individuals in older court or land records.

    Delaware Archives, Libraries, and Societies

    Delaware Public Archives

    • What They Offer: Vital records, military records, county court records, land records, newspapers, photographs, and more.
    • Online Catalog: Begin with their website to identify record groups relevant to your family’s county.

    Delaware Historical Society

    • Location: Wilmington, Delaware.
    • What You’ll Find: Manuscript collections, genealogy reference books, city directories, old newspapers, and local histories.

    Local Libraries and Genealogical Societies

    • County-Level Societies: Each county likely has historical or genealogical societies with unique local records.
    • University Libraries: The University of Delaware Library holds special collections of Delawareana, including genealogical references.

    Conclusion

    Researching your Delaware ancestors involves a mix of online and offline investigation. By starting with family materials and progressing to vital records, census data, court records, newspapers, and specialized archives, you can piece together a rich narrative of your Delaware heritage.

    See also

    Explore Delaware family history records

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