Welcome
Welcome to the Delaware Genealogical Society (DGS), a place for all genealogists to meet and share their knowledge and experiences.
DGS is Celebrating 48 Years of Service
New Delaware cemetery
resources!
Expanded database with
detailed, interactive map,
and user tools.
Remembering Farnhurst:
Stories from the
Delaware State Hospital
1894-1920
by Katherine Dettwyler.
Civil War Bluejackets:
Race, Class and Ethnicity
in the United States Navy,
1861-1865
Summary by Kenneth J. Finlayson.
Across the Creek:
Black Powder Explosions
on the Brandywine
with Summary & Name Index,
by Richard D. Templeton.
A History of
Original Settlements
on the Delaware…
& A History of Wilmington
by Benjamin Ferris,
with summary & searchable
Name Index.
African American
Civil War Veterans:
Delaware Directory
Database of veterans and narrative
Compiled by Kenneth J. Finlayson.
We endeavor to be the primary source of information about Delaware families, as well as a trusted provider of genealogical education and assistance. We offer seminars regularly, a periodic newsletter, and this website, which contains general Delaware guidance for all and Delaware-specific content for members only.
Research
Under Databases & Research Resources, you’ll find Delaware-specific indexes, records, and guidance to help further your research, including:
- Delaware Civil War Bluejackets: resources on African American and immigrant sailors. Delaware Civil War Bluejackets: Race, Punishment, and Post-War Lives examines the patterns of punishment onboard the USS Juniata in late 1864. It includes a report in PDF format, podcast, a list of 307 sailors, and searchable data tables. This research, from DGS and the Delaware African American Historical and Genealogical Society, is part of a project led by historians from two UK universities.
- African American Civil War Veterans
- Research Resources with indexes, searchable databases, and program handouts and recorded webinars. Some content is accessible only to members.
- Delaware Genealogical Research Guide, a comprehensive road map to Delaware research.
Events
In 2024, all our programs are Zoom webinars covering various topics with Delaware-specific stories and resources. Speakers include local favorites and national presenters. We hope to see you! Check the Calendar of Events for upcoming events.
Since 2020, DGS has been recording the webinar events. These recordings and handouts are available to members. This link will take you to the index of available events.
Note: Some recordings are only available at the speaker’s request for a limited time.
Membership
For low annual membership dues, members receive the First State Genealogist newsletter (sample), and have access to the entire online edition of the Delaware Genealogical Resource Guide. Also included is access to all of our indexes and databases, program handouts and recorded webinars, DGS Journal Archive, and DGS Newsletter Archive. Learn more at Join/Renew.