Delaware Heritage Collection



The state of Delaware is along the mid-Atlantic region of the country, with its eastern border along the Atlantic Ocean. Neighboring states are Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Its largest populated city is Wilmington and the capital city is Dover. Being a land small state it only has three counties; New Castle, Sussex and Kent. It was the first to ratify the U. S. Constitution back in 1787. Being a former original British colony it does have a long history.

To search the many collections assembled, this one site, Delaware Heritage Collection, has the following to select from. There is material from the Delaware Archives, state libraries, university repositories and Barrett’s Museum.

Using the advance search box, place a surname, a hometown or other keyword. In searching a surname, you never know that family could show up. Taking the example the name ‘Wilson’ produced 45 items in reference to ‘Wilson’. A few related to the Wilson Line of steamboats, there was Gen. James H. Wilson, the old Wilson House on Main Street in Odessa, the Thomas H. Wilson Furniture Store, D. L. Wilson, Wilson Milk Refrigerator, nurse Mary Ann Wilson and police officer Arthur Wilson to name a few. Using just the surname produced a variety and it is worth checking out each one, especially if you did have ancestors in Delaware or in neighboring states. You never know which family relative may be located.

If you know which hometown any ancestor lived, put in that name to see what is in the archives; from documents to photos.

Because the duPont family and industries have been an important element in the state of Delaware, you might locate a tie-in with an ancestor in this major state industry. Also there is Dover Air Force Base near Dover, one of the largest Air Forces bases in the country.

This site for Delaware researchers is one for sure you need to review everything in the online collection.

Photo: Thomas H. Wilson Shop,Arcade Row about 1890 at Front and Tatnall Streets, in Wilmington, Delaware.

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