Delaware History

The following important events in the history of Delaware affected political jurisdictions, family movements, and record keeping.

1631: New Netherland Dutch build fort at Zwaanendael (Lewes, Sussex, Delaware).

1638:  New Sweden Swedes and Finns begins settling in the Fort Christina (Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware) area.

1655: New Sweden was conquered by New Netherland.

1664: New Netherland including Delaware became a British colony as part of an Anglo-Dutch war.

1682-1776:  Pennsylvania's governor assumes control of Delaware over the objections of Maryland's claims as far north as Philadelphia. Delaware had its own provincial assembly after 1703.

1684-1736:  The colonial government of Maryland laid claim to southern and western Delaware.

1776:  Delaware declared its independence from Britain and established a government separate from that of Pennsylvania.

1787:  (December 7,) Delaware became the first state.

1861-1865:  During the Civil War, Delaware was a Union state.

One of the best sources for studying Delaware history is:

Scharf, John Thomas. History of Delaware, 1609-1888. Two volumes. Tucson, Arizona: W. C. Cox, 1974. (Family History Library film 1000154.) An excellent, detailed history with names, dates, and places.

Scharf's book is indexed in:

Coghlan, Gladys M. Index to History of Delaware, 1609-1888. Wilmington, Delaware: Historical Society of Delaware, 1976. (Family History Library book 975.1 H2s index; fiche 6088424-26.)

Other important histories, many including biographical sketches and name indexes, can be found in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

DELAWARE - HISTORY

DELAWARE, [COUNTY] - HISTORY

Websites

http://portal.delaware.gov/facts/history/delhist.shtml

http://www.hsd.org/