This page is maintained by Rebecca Knight, Reference Department.
Last modified: 06/17/09
The collections of the University of Delaware Library include material of interest to those conducting genealogical research. They are particularly strong for Delaware history and families. The Library's online, print, microform, and manuscript materials include family genealogies, publications of genealogical societies and state historical societies, local histories, vital statistics, collections of wills or deeds, military records, census material, and other categories. The Library has some other materials of interest to genealogists that do not pertain to Delaware. Strengths are the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly Chester and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania, and Cecil County, Maryland. Some materials cover the entire country. Most genealogical material in the Morris Library is located in the following six areas:
The main collection in the Morris Library is arranged by Library of Congress call number and extends over most of the Second and Third Floors and the Lower Level. Most of the titles of interest to genealogists are classified with CS (Genealogy), E (United States History), or F (United States Local History) call numbers and are shelved on the Third Floor. The main collection may also contain additional (circulating) copies of material in the Delaware Collection.
The Reference Collection (First Floor) has indexes, guides, historical atlases, and handbooks. Examples: Union List of Newspapers in Delaware (Ref Z6952 .D3 U54 1990), Directory of Historical Organizations in the United States and Canada (Ref E172 .A538), and The Value of a Dollar... (Ref HB235.U6 V35 2004).
Special Collections (Second Floor) contains rare books, manuscripts, maps, and local history materials. Special Collections includes the Delaware Collection. This collection documents history and life in Delaware. Due to the rare nature of the materials, researchers must register and follow the departmental policies and procedures. All books and other published materials are listed in DELCAT. Manuscripts, letters, etc., are listed in the Special Collections finding aids, some of which are available on the Internet. Special Collections is not open on weekends or on most evenings.The Microforms Collection (Lower Level) houses most of the library's special format materials, including microfilm, microfiche, and CD-ROM. Examples: Census schedules, soundexes, and older issues of newspapers. DELCAT lists microform materials and provides call numbers and location within the collection. Also see Micromedia in Morris Library (Reference Desk and Student Multimedia Design Center Desk).
U.S. Documents Collection (Lower Level) has reports and documents received from the federal government. Examples: 1790 Census "Heads of Households" volumes (Census Area), military histories, and The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (U.S. Doc W 45.5:). Note: many of the items in the U.S. Documents collection are not listed in DELCAT. Ask at the Reference Desk for assistance.
The Maps Collection (Lower Level) has a large number of maps published by various agencies which may be of interest and use to genealogists. Ask at the Student Multimedia Design Center Desk for assistance.
| Monday-Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday |
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight |
Hours vary due to semester calendar and holidays. Call 831-BOOK or check the Library website for Hours.
| Hugh M. Morris Library University of Delaware Library University of Delaware 181 South College Avenue Newark, DE 19717-5267 |
Getting
to the Newark Campus Map to the Morris Library |
Visitor Parking Lot #41 is directly across South College Avenue from the Library.
|
Reference Department University of Delaware Library Newark, DE 19717-5267 (302) 831-2965 AskRef |
Special Collections Department University of Delaware Library Newark, DE 19717-5267 (302) 831-2229 AskSpec |
Anyone may enter the University of Delaware Library and use books, periodicals, government documents, and electronic resources such as DELCAT within the Library without any type of borrower card.
Public Borrower Cards. A Public Borrower Card makes it possible for persons to borrow books, even though they are not currently students, faculty, or staff at the University of Delaware. There is an annual fee of $25 for Delaware residents. Ask at the Circulation Desk (First Floor).
Print, Copy, Scan. Photocopies cost 15 cents a page; 10 cents if using a copy card. Copy cards can be purchased at vending machines in the library and at the Student Multimedia Design Center desk (Lower Level). Cards can be purchased in varing amounts and money can be added to the card; the card itself costs 50 cents. Microform copiers use only copy cards. Copies from microforms cost 12 cents. There are also digital scanners available.
Interlibrary Loan (First Floor). ILL services are shared between academic and public libraries. The University of Delaware Library provides ILL services to UD faculty, students, and staff. Public Libraries provide ILL to others. Note: Registering at the UD Library as a "Public Borrower" does not include ILL services.
The collections at the University of Delaware Library have a great deal of material of interest to genealogists, but the resources are not exhaustive. Consult the guide: Delaware & Regional Resources for History and Genealogy for descriptions and hours of local and regional genealogy collections, including:
|
Delaware Public Archives Hall of Records Dover, Delaware 19901 (302) 739-5318 |
Historical Society of Delaware 505 Market Street Mall Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 655-7161 |
