Sussex County Genealogical Society

We are excited to announce the first annual Community Digitization Days! 📜📄

Come to the Archives, and we'll help you digitize your records, photographs, letters, and other small documents using our professional scanners.

We'll have nearly 30 appointment slots available, starting at the top of every hour, Wednesday–Friday, March 25–27, from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, with a few additional openings on Saturday, March 28.

Participants may also choose to donate digital copies or original materials to the Archives to help preserve Delaware history, but donation is completely optional.

More information, including how to register, is coming soon!

DELAWARE SNAPSHOT 📸
It’s Our Birthday! 🎂
Today is the Delaware Public Archives’ birthday! On March 16, 1905, state lawmakers created our permanent public collection as the Division of Public Records. The idea had kicked around since 1817 but still, ours is among the oldest U.S. archives. From the Old State House basement, it moved in 1938 to the Hall of Records, seen here and part of the state-of-the-art archives opened in 2001. Led by State Archivist Maegan Peterman, it has 10+ million documents, 1.5+ million photos, the historical marker program, digital archives, a friends group in the Friends of the Delaware Archives, research help/teaching aids, outreach programs, tours and exhibits such as “Revolutionary Lives: 1776 to the Future.”
– Compiled by robin brown, Writer in Residence
Delaware Public Archives
Archives Photograph Collection
Photo: Undated, hand-tinted
ID: 1325-003-035-014p_

The Sussex County Genealogical Society will hold its March general meeting at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 21st, at the Lewes Library and via Zoom. All are welcome. The speaker will be Kathryn Lake-Hogan and her topic is “Irish Immigration to Atlantic Canada.” Kathryn hails from Southwestern Ontario, and has a mixture of Canadian Loyalist and New England branches and roots connecting her to England and Wales. She has served in leadership positions in a variety of genealogical groups. To attend in person or via zoom, register at Lewes.lib.de.us in the Calendar of Events.

The Sussex County Genealogical Society will hold its February general meeting on Saturday, February 21, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lewes Public Library and via Zoom. All are welcome. The speaker is Steven Hackel, PhD, and the topic is “The Early California Population Project.” This project is a database developed by the Huntington Library providing public access to all the information contained in the California mission registers from 1769 to 1850. It includes baptism, marriage, and burial records of each of the California missions, including information on the Native Californians, soldiers, and settlers of Alta California. Register to attend in person or via Zoom by going to the library website, www.lewes.lib.de.us and clicking on the appropriate calendar of events for February 21. For additional information, go to www.scgsdelaware.org.

www.lewes.lib.de.us

The Milford Museum's next American History Program will be
The Red Ball Express, the story of a supply convoy in World War II manned in large part by African Americans. Saturday, February 14, at 1:00 p.m. Call the library to register.

SCGS member and local historian Dr. Katherine Henn will speak about the Erie Canal at our January 17 meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the Lewes Library and via Zoom. Her grandfather was born on a boat on the canal that was owned by his father and he worked with him until his early 20s. Come and learn about the history of the canal and the towns along its path. To attend either way, register at lewes.lib.de.us. All are welcome.

The general meeting will be on Saturday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Medium Room at the Lewes Library. All are welcome. We will have a holiday party with goodies and will share family stories, family treasures, research experiences, helpful meetings. Register through the Lewes Public Library: https:// lewes.lib.de.us. whether you plan to attend in person or by Zoom.

Happy Holidays and Happy Ancestor Hunting.

DATE & TIME:
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10:30 am

LOCATION:
Delaware Public Archives
121 MLK JR BLVD N
Dover, Delaware
DETAILS:
Sussex County was bitterly divided over the issue of American independence, though a sizable majority of residents opposed separation from Great Britain. William Peery, a farmer, lawyer, and member of the Delaware General Assembly who also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1786, firmly supported independence. Boaz Manlove, a prominent Sussex County landowner and political figure with strong Loyalist sympathies, just as firmly opposed it. What became of these two men once Congress declared independence, and how did years of war affect their families? Having sided with the winning cause, Peery continued to play a role in Sussex County politics after the war, but how did he manage that in a community where his wartime position had been unpopular? Join us for a presentation that explores these personal stories and the broader impact of the Revolution on Sussex County.

Presented by: Bruce Bendler, Adjunct Professor at University of Delaware

Dr. Bruce Bendler is Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Delaware (UD). He earned his B. A., M. A., and Ph. D. from UD. He specializes in late colonial and revolutionary United States history and is interested in the Great Awakening and its historical impact. He has published articles in Delaware History, New Jersey Studies, is a frequent contributor to the Salem County Historical Society Newsletter, and has spoken to a number of organizations on Delaware history.

On Saturday, November 15, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lewes Library and via Zoom, the monthly general meeting will include a talk by genealogist Sara Cochran on finding WW1 and WW2 military records when you don't have an OFMP. Researching 20th century veterans is especially difficult as a fire destroyed millions of Official Military Personnel Files in 1973. Ms Cochran will look at other ways to find the stories of the WW1 and WW2 veterans in our families. All are welcome. For more information on Ms. Cochran, visit her website: https://theskeletonwhisperer.com.
To attend the meeting, in person or via Zoom., register at the library website-- Lewes.lib.de.us. under Adult Programs or on the Calendar.

The Skeleton Whisperer – Unearthing the Story of Your Ancestors General Research Ideal for when you’re stumped on an individual or family unit. Or, for when you know what you need in general but aren’t sure of the specifics yet. Read More Record Look-Ups When you already know what you need already and just need it retrieved. Obituaries, marriage announcement...