Ancestry.com is one of the most popular and valued genealogical tools in the world. Understanding and maximizing its usefulness is essential in order to efficiently search and record your family’s history. On Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m., professional genealogist Sydney F. Cruice Dixon will present a program at the Delaware Public Archives in which she will share tips and search strategies to help researchers become more effective family genealogists and ensure individuals are getting the most of their Ancestry.com subscription.

Sydney F. Cruice Dixon is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has been actively researching family genealogies since 1995. In addition to conducting research and providing genealogical coaching, Dixon currently teaches both beginner and intermediate level genealogy courses. She also lectures regularly throughout the tri-state area. One of Dixon’s particular areas of specialization is United States military records. She is also a member of the planning committee for the Main Line Genealogy Club in the Philadelphia area.

The program is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. For more information, contact Tom Summers at (302) 744-5047 or e-mail
thomas.summers@delaware.gov.

The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North in Dover. The Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. On the second Saturday of every month the research room is open from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.


Delaware Public Archives (DPA, archives.delaware.gov), an agency of the State of Delaware, is one of the oldest public archives programs in the United States. DPA serves the citizens of Delaware by identifying, collecting, and preserving public records of enduring historical and evidential value; ensuring access to public records for present and future generations; and advising and educating interested parties in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.

Dover, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell visits the Delaware Public Archives in Dover to celebrate Black History Month and recognize the importance of accepting Delaware’s past so we can build a brighter future for all Delawareans.

“This past week, I proudly issued our state’s annual proclamation for Black History Month – an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of remarkable Delawareans,” said Markell. “Every step we take toward opportunity for all brings us closer to the society we want for ourselves and our children. It means more great Delaware achievers of all races. And it keeps Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/bTd46rV7vD4
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Accepting Our Past to Build a Brighter Future

(Dover, DE) El sábado 6 de febrero a las 10:30 a.m., el genealogista certificado Michael Hait tendrá una presentación en los Archivos Públicos de Delaware que se enfocará en una de las agencias federales menos conocidas, la Oficina de Hombres Libres (en inglés Freedman’s Bureau).  La Oficina de Refugiados, Hombres Libres y Tierras Abandonadas operó desde finales de la Guerra Civil hasta 1872 bajo el Departamento de Guerra de los Estados Unidos. Durante su existencia de menos de 10 años, la Oficina de Hombres Libres existió para facilitar y sanar a una nación dividida por la guerra en otra nación nuevamente unida. Entre otras actividades la oficia  asistió con la transición de aquellos nacidos dentro de la esclavitud  hacia una nueva vida como personas libres. El programa se enfoca en los tipos de registros creados por la Oficina de Hombres Libres y cómo utilizar estos registros para identificar información genealógica.

Michael Hait es un investigador genealógico profesional, escritor y presentador de tiempo completo. Ha escrito diferentes casos de estudio para varias publicaciones genealógicas incluyendo el Maryland Genealogical Society Journal, el New York Genealogical and Biographical Record y National Genealogical Society Quarterly. En el 2012 Hait ganó el primer premio en la competencia de redacción nacional llamada en inglés National Genealogical Society Family History Writing Competition con su artículo “En La Sombra de la Rebeliones” titulada en inglés “In the Shadow of Rebellions,” explorando a los descendientes de una mujer esclava que vivió en Maryland en el siglo 19. Actualmente sirve en el Comité de Directores del Comité de Certificación de Genealogistas.

Esta presentación es totalmente gratis y tiene una duración aproximada de una hora. No se requieren reservaciones. Para más información sobre esta presentación contacte a Tammy Stock (302) 744-5038 o por correo electrónico a tamara.stock@delaware.gov.

Los Archivos Públicos de Delaware están ubicados en el 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North en Dover. La sala de investigación Mabel Lloyd Ridgely está abierta al público de lunes a viernes en horario de 8 a.m. a 4:15 p.m.  El segundo sábado de cada mes, la sala de investigación está abierta de 9 a.m. a 4:15 p.m.

(Dover, Del.)- The Delaware Public Archives (DPA) is celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month, which extends until October 15^th, with the unveiling of the Spanish section of its website. With a long history of welcoming immigrants, Delaware has become home to people from all over the world. The Hispanic community has contributed to Delaware’s quality of life and diversity while integrating their traditions into the culture of the First State.

Key sections of the Archives’ website have been translated to assist the Spanish speaking community in gaining access to DPA’s services, products, activities and other historical treasures. In addition, it makes available the Archives’ online collections and social media outlets providing access to thousands of items that celebrate Delaware’s rich history.

The Archives is the official guardian of Delaware’s state, county and local government records and stores millions of records that reveal the cultural, social, and political history of our state and our nation.

“With this initiative the Delaware Public Archives celebrates the ever-growing Hispanic community and its contribution to the First State’s history,” said Archives Director Stephen M. Marz. “The new website puts in the hands of new generations one of our state’s greatest resources for historical research.”

This added feature makes it easier for students, schools, individuals, businesses and other organizations in Delaware to enjoy one of our state’s greatest resources. The Archives’ collection of historical records includes records dating from the 17th century to the present, including documents, maps, books, audio/video recordings, and more than 800,000 historical photographs.

The Spanish section is accessible from the DPA’s homepage at http://archives.delaware.gov.

For more information about the Delaware Public Archives, please visit the website at  http://archives.delaware.gov. You can also become a follower of the Archives Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/DelawarePublicArchives) and read the Archives blog (http://archives.blogs.delaware.gov/) to learn more about events and other items of interest at the Archives.

The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North in Dover. The Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. On the second Saturday of every month the research room is open from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. 

The Delaware Public Archives (DPA, archives.delaware.gov), an agency of the State of Delaware, is one of the oldest public archives programs in the United States. DPA serves the citizens of Delaware by identifying, collecting, and preserving public records of enduring historical and evidential value; ensuring access to public records for present and future generations; and advising and educating interested parties in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.

Link to Event Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/delawaredos/sets/72157640548850324/

Dover, Del. – Delaware Lt. Governor Matt Denn joined Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock today during a public ceremony to declare February 2014 as African American History Month. The ceremony was held at the Delaware Public Archives and this year’s announcement was special because 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of the monumental Brown v. Board of Education ruling that paved the way to integrate public schools in both Delaware and throughout the nation. 

 Lt. Governor Denn highlighted that “much of Delaware’s honor, strength and stature can be attributed to the diversity of cultures and traditions that are celebrated by the residents of this great state.  We take this opportunity to celebrate African American History Month, in honor of the many contributions African Americans have made to the State of Delaware and our Nation.”

During the proclamation ceremony, the guest speakers explained to the audience the effect that the Brown v. Board decision had on their lives.  Toriano Giddens, principal at William Henry Middle School, spoke about the effect the ruling has on today’s generation of students and how it has positively impacted the students at his school.  In the 1950s, the William Henry School was a segregated high school, one of the few in the state where African American students could attend.

The featured speaker for the day was Dr. Homer W. Minus who discussed his status as one of the pioneers of the desegregation movement in Delaware when he served as a plaintiff in the Parker v. University of Delaware case.  As part of a group of Delaware State College students who went to court to gain entry into the University of Delaware, Dr. Minus was one of the first seven African American students who were admitted to the University in the fall of 1950. 

 Following the ceremony, Stephen Marz, State Archivist and Director of the Delaware Public Archives, invited the attendees to meet Orlando Camp, co-author of the book “The Milford Eleven” and to visit the new Brown v. Board of Education Shadow Box Exhibit at the Archives.  The display presents the history of the events that took place in Delaware which eventually led to the desegregation of the public school system in the First State.  A special feature of the exhibit is a section focusing on the controversy surrounding the Milford crisis of 1954.