The Archives' holdings contain a vast array of documents including photographs, vital statistics, census records, military (including Civil War) records, court records, and probate records from all three Delaware counties. Many records have been converted to microfilm for preservation and convenience of use.  A special research area for viewing and making copies from this microfilm is incorporated into the DPA research facility.  Among the most popular materials stored at the Delaware Public Archives are:

Genealogical Records
The Archives holds a wealth of information that can be used in genealogical research.  Official records of government agencies can be used as well as many other sources found at the DPA. Federal census schedules for the years 1800-1880 and 1900-1930 are available on microfilm. 

Items of private origin include the Reverend Joseph Brown Turner Genealogical Collection of research and correspondence concerning more than one thousand Delmarva families; the Walter G. Tatnall Collection of Delaware tombstone records; and the WPA transcribed church records. The Archives also holds a large collection of privately compiled and donated family histories and genealogies.

Vital Statistics
The Archives houses Delaware birth, death and marriage records for use by the public.  Birth records older than 72 years, and marriage and death records older than 40 years, are available for viewing on microfilm (more recent vital statistics are maintained by the Office of Vital Statistics, also located in downtown Dover). Although the law did not require the recording of official vital statistics until 1913, the Archives has vital statistical information for the years prior, through various other collections such as bible records and family histories.

The Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Center 
The new Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Center at the Delaware Public Archives can accommodate up to 40 patrons. Visitors have access to many finding aids, self-service microfilm and a large library of Delaware related books. Admission to the archives is free.  Handbags and other parcels are not permitted in the research area, therefore storage lockers are provided for visitors. Other restrictions such as the use of pens are also strictly enforced.  Staff will explain these procedures when visitors register to use the facility.  Connections for laptop computers are available at each research room table.
 

Copy Facilities
Copying services are available for paper and microfilm records found in the Delaware Public Archives. Fees for copying are generally 50 cents per page with some restrictions for oversize documents.  Visit our research facility for specific costs and any special arrangements and prices for oversize or original documents.  Self-service microfilm copying is also available in the research area. Due to the fragile nature of many items, staff reserves the right to determine the form of copying.