- Delaware Fast Facts -

The state of Delaware is located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania on the north, Maryland on the south and west, and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. It is the second smallest state in size, being only 30 miles in width and 96 miles in length. The largest city is Wilmington and the state capital is Dover. It derives its name from Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, the first colonial governor of Virginia.

Delaware is one of the thirteen original colonies that participated in the Amercian Revolution. On 7 December 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States and thereby earned its nickname "The First State." Other nicknames include "The Diamon State," because Thomas Jefferson once commented that Delaware was a jewel, and the "Blue Hen State," because of staged chicken fights between soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

Today Delaware has 3 counties, the least of any other state, and covers approximately 2,489 square miles.

Small but mighty, more than 60% of the Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware.

The genealogical records held here are for use by the general public. These records have been submitted to the USGenNet Data Repository by volunteers and researchers just like you for permanent on-line free-access.