Delaware County Pennsylvania Genealogy and History

County Seat: Media

Search Free Delaware County Pennsylvania Genealogy and Family History Records Online including census, cemetery, vital, military and other genealogical and historical records that can be used for your family history research.

Delaware County, Pennsylvania genealogy and family history page is a place where you can come in and research your genealogy and family history. We also do our best to provide a history of the area, to provide you with an overview of the time in which your ancestors lived.

We regret that we are unable to do personal research for you. All genealogical and family history records we come across are being added to this website. Please keep checking back.

A Glimpse into Delaware County's History

Early Settlement: Delaware County is the oldest continuously settled section of Pennsylvania, with early European settlements by the Swedes and Finns dating back to 1643.
The Influence of William Penn: In 1682, William Penn's grant from King Charles II led to the founding of Pennsylvania and the subsequent division into three counties, including Chester County, from which Delaware County was formed in 1789.
The Birth of a County: Delaware County officially separated from Chester County on September 26, 1789, taking its name from the Delaware River.
A Crucial Battleground: The Battle of Brandywine, the largest land battle of the American Revolution took place along the Brandywine River in Delaware County on September 11, 1777.
Growth and Development: From early settlements like Marcus Hook and Chester to the establishment of the Pennsylvania Railroad and later the Baltimore, Ohio, and Reading Railroads, Delaware County witnessed significant growth and industrial development.
20th Century Expansion: The 20th century saw a population boom and further development, particularly in suburban areas like Upper Darby, Drexel Hill, and Springfield.
Modern Day Delco: Today, Delaware County is the fifth-most populous county in Pennsylvania, boasting excellent educational institutions, medical facilities, and a thriving economy.

Communities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and exactly one town. There are 49 municipalities in Delaware County:

City: Chester.

Boroughs: Aldan, Brookhaven, Chester Heights, Clifton Heights, Collingdale, Colwyn, Darby, East Lansdowne, Eddystone, Folcroft, Glenolden, Lansdowne, Marcus Hook, Media (county seat), Millbourne, Morton, Norwood, Parkside, Prospect Park, Ridley Park, Rose Valley, Rutledge, Sharon Hill, Swarthmore, Trainer, Upland, Yeadon.

Townships: Aston, Bethel, Chadds Ford, Chester, Concord, Darby, Edgmont, Haverford, Lower Chichester, Marple, Middletown, Nether Providence, Newtown, Radnor, Ridley, Springfield, Thornbury, Tinicum, Upper Chichester, Upper Darby, Upper Providence.

Census-designated places: Ardmore (partially in Montgomery County), Boothwyn, Broomall, Bryn Mawr (mostly in Montgomery County), Chadds Ford (mostly in Chester County), Cheyney University (mostly in Chester County), Dilworthtown (mostly in Chester County), Drexel Hill, Folsom, Haverford College (partially in Montgomery County), Lima, Linwood, Rosemont (mostly in Montgomery County), St. Davids, Village Green-Green Ridge, Villanova (partially in Montgomery County), Wayne, Woodlyn.

Unincorporated communities: Brookline, Garrett Hill, Glen Mills, Havertown, Llanerch, Oakmont, Radnor, Riddlewood, Secane, Thornton, Wallingford, Wawa.

Free Delaware County Pennsylvania Genealogy Records Online

Delaware County Pennsylvania Church Records

Delaware County Pennsylvania Military Records

Delaware County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records

Uncovering Your Delaware County Ancestry: Genealogy Resources

Delaware County Archives:

340 North Middletown Road
Building 19 Lima, PA
Phone: 610-891-5620
Email: archives@co.delaware.pa.us

A treasure trove of county records spanning from 1789 to 1950, including birth, death, marriage, and court records. Visit the Archives in person or request records by mail, with some searchable indexes available online.

Delaware County Historical Society:

9 W. Front Street
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-750-0622
info@padelcohistory.org

Housed in the historic National Bank building in Chester, the society offers a Research Library and Museum Gallery to explore the county's history and culture.

Delaware County Libraries:

Many local libraries, such as the Upper Darby Sellers Memorial Free Library and the Springfield Township Library, hold valuable genealogical and local history collections and offer access to online resources like Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest.

Adjacent counties

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (north)
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (northeast)
Gloucester County, New Jersey (southeast)
New Castle County, Delaware (southwest)
Chester County, Pennsylvania (west)