Delaware Colonial Records: Difference between revisions

In 1638, the first European permanent settlement was founded in Delaware by Swedish immigrants. The colony was named New Sweden, and was conquered by the Dutch in 1655, and the English in 1664. Until Delaware's provincial assembly was established in 1703, it was under the control of Pennsylvania. Maryland claimed portions of Delaware from 1682-1736.<ref>Christina K. Schaefer, ''Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere'' (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 183, 192. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39622039 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FSC|822639|item|disp=FS Library book 929.11812 D26 1998}}</ref>

Major religions in Delaware included Baptists, Protestant Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Society of Friends. Many of these church records date back to the 1680s, and an inventory of about half of the church registers was transcribed by the Historical Records Survey. These are available on microfilm. A card index of vital records, 1680-1913, is available at the Hall of Records in Dover (film 0006416 ff.).<ref>Christina K. Schaefer, ''Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere'' (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 183, 192. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39622039 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FSC|822639|item|disp=FS Library book 929.11812 D26 1998}}</ref>

*'''1646-1679''' - The Swedes and Dutch were the first to give land grants. After the English acquired Delaware, propriety deeds were granted by the Duke of York. These can be found in the General Assembly of the State of Delaware. [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/216849 ''Land Titles in Delaware Commonly Known as the Duke of York Record: Being an Authorized Transcript from the Official Archives of the State of Delaware, and Comprising the Letters Patent, Permits, Commissions, Surveys, Plats, and Confirmations by the Duke of York and Other High Officials from 1646-1679''], (Wilmington, DE: Sunday Star Print, 1903).<ref>Christina K. Schaefer, ''Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the countries of the Western Hemisphere'' (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 183, 192. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39622039 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FSC|822639|item|disp=FS Library book 929.11812 D26 1998}}</ref>

In 1693, a census was taken of the Swedes in Delaware to see if there was a need for more pastors and religious books in Swedish.<ref>Christina K. Schaefer, ''Genealogical encyclopedia of the colonial Americas : a complete digest of the records of all the counties of the Western Hemisphere''] (Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Company, c1998), 183, 192. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/39622039 WorldCat (Other Libraries)]; {{FSC|822639|item|disp=FS Library book 929.11812 D26 1998}}</ref>