This file is compiled from various sources, and is as complete as possible. If you should find errors, or have additions or deletions, let me know, and I will update the file. Bill Green green@plains.nodak.edu ak385@cleveland.freenet.edu Date of last update: 9 March 1993 ******************************************************************* GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF DELAWARE AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 5 March 1989 Robert McLaren 7810 Kincardine Ct. Alexandria, VA 22310-4025 The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical societies in Delaware and the District of Columbia. Included in the listing, where known, are telephone numbers and yearly dues. This listing is donated to the public domain and may be freely copied. Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used in any other commercial fashion. If you think this list has any value, then donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National Genealogical Society). If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE). Many of these societies work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to respond unless a SASE is included in your letter. ******************************************************************* DELAWARE Delaware Genealogical Society 505 Market Street Mall Wilmington, DE 19801 Dues: Historical Society of Delaware 505 Market Street Mall Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 655-7161 Dues: Lower Del-Mar-Va Genealogical Society Wilcomico County Library Salisbury, MD 21801 Dues: ******************************************************************* VITAL RECORDS Statewide registration of births began in 1861 but was discontinued in 1863. Registration was resumed in 1881 and was generally complied with by 1921. Although some deaths were recorded as early as 1855, state registration of deaths officially began in 1881 and was generally complied with by 1890. The Delaware Bureau of Vital Statistics has birth and death records from 1861 to the present. You can obtain copies by writing: Bureau of Vital Statistics Jesse S. Cooper Memorial Building William Penn Street Dover, DE 19901 Marriage Records State registration of marriages began in 1847 and was generally complied with by 1913. Delaware counties began keeping marriage records as early as 1832. These records have been transferred from the counties to the Bureau of Archives and Records Management. Marriages of Delaware residents may also be recorded in adjoining states, such as Pennsylvania and Maryland. Divorce Records Divorce proceedings from 1975 to the present are kept by the family court office in the county where the divorce was recorded. For records before 1975 and dating back to the early 1900s, contact the county prothonotary's office (clerk of the court of common pleas). For pre-1900 records, write to the Delaware Legislative Council, Legislative Hall, P.O. Box 1 401, Dover DE 19901. (Source: Family History Center Guide) Birth and Death certificates are both $5. ******************************************************************* STATE ARCHIVES Bureau of Archives and Records Management Hall of Records Dover, DE 19901 ******************************************************************* NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS ******************************************************************** DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA White House Historical Association 740 Jackson Place, NW Washington, DC 20506 Dues: Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Washington P.O. Box 412 Vienna, VA 22180 Dues: ******************************************************************* VITAL RECORDS Births and Deaths Registration of vital statistics began in 1874 and was generally complied with by 1915 for births and 1880 for deaths. You can obtain copies of these records by writing to: Department of Human Services Vital Records Section, Room 3007 425 "I" Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 Some earlier records of deaths exist from 1855, except for the war years of 1861 to 1865, and can be obtained from the above address. Marriages Registration of marriages began in 1811. Some of the early marriages for the years 1811 to 1858 have been transcribed by the DAR. You can obtain marriage records from 1811 to the present by writing to: Superior Court of the District of Columbia Marriage License Bureau 515 5th St., N.W. Washington, DC 20001 Divorces Divorce proceedings prior to September 1956 are available from: Clerk of the U.S. District Court Constitution Ave. and John Marshall Place, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 Divorce documents filed since 1956 are at: Clerk of the Superior Court Family Division 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20001. The old divorce docket, 1803 to 1848, is in four volumes at the National Archives in Suitland. (Source: Family History Center Guide) Birth and death certificates are both $5. ******************************************************************* STATE ARCHIVES General Branch, Civil Archives Division National Archives and Records Administration Washington, DC 20409 The above is a mailing address only. The collection is located at: Washington National Records Center Building 4205 Suitland Road Suitland, MD Scientific, Economic, and Natural Resources Branch National Archives and Records Administration Pennsylvania Avenue at 8th St., N.W. Washington, DC 20408 Columbia Historical Society 1307 New Hampshire Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20036 District of Columbia Public Library Information and Reference 901 "G" Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 Library of Congress and Annex General Reference and Bibliography Division 1st-2nd Streets, S.E. Washington, DC 20540 Maryland State Archives College Avenue at St. John's Street P.O. Box 828 Annapolis, MD 21404 (Source: Family History Center Guide) ******************************************************************* NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS -- **************************************************************************** * Bill Green Minot, North Dakota 58701 * Home of the * * green@plains.NoDak.Edu * NORSK H0STFEST * * ak385@Cleveland.Freenet.Edu * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Researching LAMB 1822-1978 NC>IN>KS WALL 1798- NC>IN * * HAISLEY MENDENHALL HAWKINS ROBERDS POWELL * * (All Quaker All North Carolina>Indiana) * ****************************************************************************