Delaware Research Tips and Strategies: Difference between revisions
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*'''''Secondary source:''''' Substitute records are used when primary sources do not exist for an event, such as birth, marriage, and deaths. Secondary sources list information about the event but they were not recorded at the time of the event and they are not an official record of the event. | *'''''Secondary source:''''' Substitute records are used when primary sources do not exist for an event, such as birth, marriage, and deaths. Secondary sources list information about the event but they were not recorded at the time of the event and they are not an official record of the event. | ||
*'''''Accuracy:''''' Because the information about an event in substitute records was not the official recording of the event (such as, cemetery or obituary records) inaccuracy may occur. Use other substitute records to help | *'''''Accuracy:''''' Because the information about an event in substitute records was not the official recording of the event (such as, cemetery or obituary records) inaccuracy may occur. Use other substitute records to help verify information. | ||
*'''''List of substitute records:''''' See [[Delaware Substitute Records|Delaware Substitute Records]] for more information. | *'''''List of substitute records:''''' See [[Delaware Substitute Records|Delaware Substitute Records]] for more information. | ||
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*'''''Death records:''''' Starting in 1881, the state recorded deaths that required birth and parent information. Information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory. | *'''''Death records:''''' Starting in 1881, the state recorded deaths that required birth and parent information. Information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory. | ||
*'''''Obituaries:''''' Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See [[Delaware Newspapers]] and [[Delaware Obituaries]] for more information. | *'''''Obituaries:''''' Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See [[Delaware Newspapers]] and [[Delaware Obituaries]] for more information. | ||
*'''''Church records:''''' Knowing the | *'''''Church records:''''' Knowing the denomination of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See [[Delaware Church Records]] for more information. | ||
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'''Census Records:''' | '''Census Records:''' | ||
Latest revision as of 17:38, 20 February 2025
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Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page |
Delaware Research Strategies[edit | edit source]
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Delaware:
Finding Delaware Birth, Marriage or Death Records[edit | edit source]
Finding Delaware Records[edit | edit source]
Delaware Statewide Databases[edit | edit source]
Delaware Research Process[edit | edit source]
- Step-by-Step Delaware Research, 1880-Present
- Step-by-Step Delaware Research, 1850-1910
- Delaware Descendancy Research
- How to find Delaware Birth Records
- How to find Delaware Marriage Records
- How to find Delaware Death Records
Delaware Research Tips[edit | edit source]
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Delaware:
Birth and Death information:
- Statewide birth registration: Statewide registration of births began in 1861 but was discontinued in 1863. Registration resumed in 1881 and was generally complied with by 1921.[1]
- Statewide death registration: Although some deaths were recorded as early as 1855, state registration of deaths officially began in 1881 and was generally complied with by 1913 (Although, some resources say 1890).[2]
- Access to records: See Delaware Vital Records for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Delaware.
Substitute Records:
- Secondary source: Substitute records are used when primary sources do not exist for an event, such as birth, marriage, and deaths. Secondary sources list information about the event but they were not recorded at the time of the event and they are not an official record of the event.
- Accuracy: Because the information about an event in substitute records was not the official recording of the event (such as, cemetery or obituary records) inaccuracy may occur. Use other substitute records to help verify information.
- List of substitute records: See Delaware Substitute Records for more information.
Finding Parents:
- Death records: Starting in 1881, the state recorded deaths that required birth and parent information. Information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory.
- Obituaries: Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See Delaware Newspapers and Delaware Obituaries for more information.
- Church records: Knowing the denomination of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See Delaware Church Records for more information.
Census Records:
- Check all census years: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census to learn more about them and their family members. See Delaware Census Records for more information.
- Clues to other records: There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.
- Finding families: Starting in 1850, all members of the household were listed in the census. By 1880, relationship to the head of household was added.
Further Delaware Research[edit | edit source]
- Delaware Family History Library Research Outline
- DEGenWeb - Delaware GenWeb Project
- Delaware Genealogy Trails - collection of transcribed data for the state of Delaware
- Cyndi's List - Delaware genealogy websites
- Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness - State of Delaware Records Guide
Resources[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Delaware Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1988, 2001, 19. (Accessed 17 Feb 2025). Online at: BYU University - Provo
- ↑ Delaware Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Family History Department, 1988, 2001, 19. (Accessed 17 Feb 2025). Online at: BYU University - Provo