Delaware Public Archives

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Permalink Reply by Mary L. Beaulieu on August 31, 2009 at 5:39am

Hi Victor!

I've been up there a few times. One thing I learned is that the B/M/D file cards connect to actual documents that are on microfilm....the first time I went up, I didn't understand this. The Orphan's Court records are the best, and they have lists for the different counties online, so you can start researching before you go. If someone left minor children, or some other business undone upon death, a file could show up here. One of my Dehortys had no children, but and Orphan's Court file was created 15 years after his death to resolve a land issue...it listed all the descendants of his siblings.

I've had great experience ordering from them online....very prompt. When you are on site, your luck depends on who is working. Some folks are very knowledgeable and helpful, others not so much. Just like life, I guess ;-)

Permalink Reply by Victor G Carre on August 31, 2009 at 10:49am

Hi Mary,

Although I have heard of them, I have never looked at the Orphan's Court records. What are they exactly? I have a greataunt that died in 1924 leaving an orphaned young daughter. I am not sure what happened to the father. The daughter appears in the 1930 Census living with grandma. Do you think the Orphan's Court records would contain information on this girl?

Permalink Reply by Sally Nelson on September 2, 2009 at 8:58am

If you live close to the Delaware Public Archives, you may be interested in a tour that will be given this Saturday, Sept. 5. The tour begins at 10:30 a.m. and covers many of the repository's storage areas not normally seen by patrons of the Archives. Even if you are not researching Delaware families, the tour will give you a good idea of how other state archives are structured.

From their web site--

"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 records that are important to every Delawarean." http://archives.delaware.gov/outreach/index.shtml#tour

These programs are free to the public and no reservations are required unless otherwise noted. The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Duke of York Street in Dover, Delaware. For more information contact Tom Summers (302) 744-5047 or e-mail thomas.summers@state.de.us.

Permalink Reply by Victor G Carre on September 2, 2009 at 5:54pm

Yes, I saw some info on this tour. I am a Delaware native although we live in PA now. I am about 65 miles from Dover so it would be an all day affair. Ummmm. . . cut grass or genealogy? Maybe it will rain!

Permalink Reply by Sally Nelson on September 2, 2009 at 6:52pm

I've taken the tour. They even show you where they keep the State's Charter and how they straighten out rolled up pictures! Since it would be an all day trip for you it would be a good chance to research. They are only open on the first Saturday of the month now for those who come on weekends.

Just curious--do you follow any Carey's as a possible spelling for Carre?

Permalink Reply by Victor G Carre on September 3, 2009 at 7:26pm

Funny you should ask. It is a long story on how I finally figured this out but I had a granduncle that just disappeared from the records after 1943. I just recently discovered that he changed the spelling of his last name to CAREY. This allowed me to track down a living daughter and other decendants that I did not know existed. His name was Louis Carey and he and his family lived in Delaware. Do you have CAREY relatives?

Permalink Reply by Sally Nelson on September 3, 2009 at 8:42pm

Hi, Victor. My husband has Carey relatives from Delaware (Sussex County). They migrated to Ohio. It is amazing how many spellings there are of the name. We are not familiar with Louis Carey, but that does not mean we don't connect somewhere down the line.

Permalink Reply by Victor G Carre on September 11, 2009 at 11:17am

I unfortunately did not make it to the Public Archive tour. I had all intentions of going but something came up unexpectedly I did not go. Does anyone know how often the tour is offered?

Permalink Reply by Sally Nelson on September 14, 2010 at 8:01pm

Vital Records - Beyond Births, Marriages and Deaths

The Delaware Public Archives will continue its genealogy workshop series on Saturday, October 2, at 10:30 a.m. with a program entitled Vital Records - Beyond Births, Marriages and Deaths. Presented by veteran genealogist Nancy Lyons, this program will show how vital records of birth, marriage, and death allow us to document the dates and parent-child relationships of each generation in a family tree. As primary sources these records offer dates and places of the event, parent names, and places of origin. Information from these documents can help lead a researcher to other valuable records. This workshop will include visual examples and handouts concerning where to locate these genealogical gems, and how to utilize the information they contain.

The program is free to the public. No reservations are required. The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Duke of York Street in Dover, Delaware. For more information, contact Tom Summers (302) 744-5047 or e-mail thomas.summers@state.de.us.

Permalink Reply by Sally Nelson on April 17, 2011 at 12:02pm

The Delaware Public Archives is featuring a series of presentations on Delaware in the Civil War.  The sessions are at 10:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month.  I have also been told they now have their Civil War records on line.  Be sure to check it out!

 

They will also be offering a tour of the facilities soon.  Check their web site for date.