Forgotten Family-Pauper Records & Genealogy at the Delaware Public Archives

The Delaware Public Archives contains a wealth of resources for genealogists, covering centuries of vital records, wills, deeds, and much more. However, many researchers encounter dead ends, where a family member seemingly disappears from sight. No birth record, no property records, no will or probate. How, then, do we find these forgotten family members? Pauper records can be indispensable resources for filling these gaps, as they document the Delaware residents that history was most likely to forget: the poor, illegitimate children, unwed mothers, and others. This presentation will guide you through the evolution of public welfare and poor relief in Delaware, the types of records that are available to genealogists for research, and how to access these records at the Delaware Public Archives.

Joseph Sullivan is the Welcome Center Supervisor and a Reference Archivist with the Public Services team at the Delaware Public Archives. He holds a bachelor’s in history and political science from Bridgewater College, serves as support staff for the Delaware Heritage Commission, and was a recipient of the 2023 Council of State Archivists Rising Star Award. Mr. Sullivan has worked on a variety of programs for the Delaware Public Archives, including topics such as the use of pauper and almshouse records for genealogy and Delaware’s role in the Revolutionary War.

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