Step-by-Step Delaware Research, 1880-Present

Delaware Step-by-step research 1880--present

Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What should be asked?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives
 * Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives
 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household you might find (depending on the year) their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military.

Using the clues to lead to census record searches.
The first goal will be to find William R. Nagle in the 1930 census of Delaware, about age 7, in the home of his parents William and Madeline Nagle.

'''We could not find the family in 1940, but here they are in 1930. We learn that William F. Nagle, the father, was born in about 1900 in Delaware. His father, John Nagle, is living in his home. (Plot Spoiler: Later, we will learn his name is actually James.)''' '''In 1920, we would expect to find William F. Nagle either as a single man living alone or perhaps in a boarding house, but we could not find him. We then find him on the 1910 and 1900 census, living with his parents Jame and May. This relationship is a little shaky. In 1930, the census says his father is John. However, this is the only William Nagle in Wilmington the right age. Nevertheless, we need to prove the relationship better with birth, marriage, and death records.'''

Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
 * In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations.
 * A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
 * A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using the census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents. Example of an index to an original birth record.

Using the census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
Finding marriage records can:
 * establish the full identity of the wife, with her maiden name and possible birth details.
 * find the names of the parents of the bride and groom.

Example of an index entry to an original marriage record.

Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death:
 * birth date and place of the deceased
 * maiden name of the wife
 * names of the deceased's parents
 * birth places of the deceased's parents.

Some of the examples shown above are index entries. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. In some cases, the image of the original is found online. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate in other cases.

How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online databases
 * writing to a county courthouse (prior to state civil registration beginning in 1867)
 * purchasing them through the mail

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Delaware Counties.

Order Certificates from Delaware Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for Delaware Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Delaware, see How to Find Delaware Birth Records, How to Find Delaware Marriage Records, and How to Find Delaware Death Records.

Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.

Obituaries

 * Archives.com Obituaries for Delaware ($)
 * Newspaper Obituary collection for Delaware: starts about 2003 to present ($)
 * Ancestry.com United States Obituary Collection for Delaware ($)
 * Delaware Obituaries
 * — index and images
 * Search for obituaries in ProQuest Newspapers.com Library ($)

Cemeteries

 * Find-A-Grave.com
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current at Ancestry
 * Billion Graves
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * BillionGraves Index at Findmypast
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * Delaware Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy
 * Delaware Cemetery Records at Interment
 * Delaware Tombstone Transcription Project at USGenWeb Transcription Project

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see Delaware Obituaries and Delaware Cemeteries.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card.



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see Delaware Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



FamilySearch

 * 1650-1974 — How to Use this Collection
 * 1680-1934 — How to Use this Collection
 * 1707-1939 ; index and images — How to Use this Collection
 * 1697-1886, index, incomplete — How to Use this Collection
 * 1710-1896, index, incomplete — How to Use this Collection
 * 1713-1919, index, incomplete — How to Use this Collection
 * 1750-1886, index, incomplete — How to Use this Collection
 * 1815-1955, index, incomplete — How to Use this Collection

Ancestry.com

 * 1697-1886 Delaware, U.S., Baptisms, 1697-1886 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1744-1912 Delaware, Marriage Records, 1744-1912 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1750-1886 Delaware, U.S., Church Deaths, 1750-1886 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1750-1899 U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1750-1954 Delaware, Marriage Records, 1750-1954 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1800-1932 Delaware, Birth Records, 1800-1932 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1806-1933 Delaware, Marriage Records, 1806-1933 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1861-1933 Delaware Death Records, 1861-1933 at Ancestry - index ($)

Baptist

 * 1750-1899 U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899 at Ancestry - index & images ($)

Catholic

 * Pre-1868 parish registers of the Diocese of Wilmington
 * Searchable Parish Sacramental Registers, Diocese of Wilmington All Baptism and Marriage Records for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington through 1900 are now online. No index.
 * Web: Wilmington, Delaware, Catholic Diocese Cemeteries Index, 1876-2012, index	($)

Community of Christ, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 * Church records (New York-Philadelphia District), 1867-1965, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. New York-Philadelphia District, includes Delaware

Presbyterian

 * U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, index($)

Quaker Society of Friends

 * U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, index($)

Other Collections

 * Awesome Genealogy has a few transcribed church records for Delaware.

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 * For help with church records kept in Delaware, see Delaware Church Records.
 * To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.

 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.



Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Delaware


 * Delaware, Wills and Probate Records, 1676-1971, ($), index and images, incomplete.
 * Kent County, Delaware Probate Records, 1680-1800, ($). Index.
 * Probate records database, early to 1925 at the Delaware Public Archives, index.
 * Delaware, Wills and Administrations, 1683-1947, images only.
 * Mayflower Deeds and Probates, 1600-1850, ($), index.

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each Delaware county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Delaware Counties

For more information, see Delaware Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.



Delaware Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records

Delaware Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * Passenger and Immigration Lists Index for Delaware, 1500s-1900s ($)
 * , index or browse images.

Delaware Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * State of Delaware Naturalization Records Database
 * U.S. Passport Applications for Delaware, 1795-1925 ($)
 * Browse only.
 * Delaware Naturalization Records, 1796-1959 ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for Delaware, 1795-1911 - U.S. Circuit Court ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for Delaware, 1795-1928 - U.S. District Court ($)
 * U.S., Naturalization Records - Original Documents, (World Archives Project) for Delaware, 1795-1930 - U.S. District and Circuit Courts ($)

For more information, see Delaware Emigration and Immigration and Delaware Naturalization and Citizenship.

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Delaware; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "Delaware" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "Delaware" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Delaware and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections
These collections of biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or use the "Find" function on a computer.
 * American Biographical Library for Delaware ($)
 * Delaware Biography Project. Index.
 * Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol.I, images. Vol. II.
 * Biographical sketches of prominent Delawareans, e-book
 * Historical and Biographical Papers, e-book

Step 10: Contact a county historical or genealogical society.
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 * County historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.


 * If you can find the society on the internet, they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, you can hire one of their members to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * Delaware, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * Delaware, United States Historical Images, Old Version

Delaware Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Delaware Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Delaware Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * Delaware Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Delaware.
This article focused more on Delaware state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Delaware. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.