Coral Springs Ancestry Records
Coral Springs genealogy reflects the story of planned community development in South Florida. Founded in 1963 by Coral Ridge Properties, the city grew from bean fields and marshland into a thriving suburb. The master-planned design attracted families seeking quality schools and safe neighborhoods. Early residents built homes in the wilderness west of Fort Lauderdale. Today their descendants search for records of those pioneering days.
Coral Springs Quick Facts
Broward County Library Coral Springs Branch
The Broward County Library Coral Springs Branch serves local genealogy researchers. The library is at 10077 NW 29th Street in the city. Staff there help patrons access family history resources. You can reach them at (954) 357-7490. This modern facility connects you to the full county library system. The branch opened to serve the growing western community. Researchers find extensive genealogy databases here. The staff provides guidance for both new and skilled users.
Your library card provides access to major genealogy databases. Ancestry Library Edition is available on library computers. This includes census records and immigration lists. HeritageQuest offers remote access for census and military records. Both help you trace families who came to Coral Springs from other states and countries.
The library offers materials on Florida and local history. You can find books about Broward County's western development. Old maps show how Coral Springs was planned and built. City directories list residents from the 1960s onward. These track families as the city grew. Staff can help you locate materials at other branches.
Newspapers on microfilm cover the area's history. The library provides access to the Sun Sentinel and local papers. These contain birth notices, wedding announcements, and obituaries. You can read about the city's growth decade by decade. Obituaries name surviving family members.
Classes teach genealogy skills for all levels. Beginners learn the basics of family research. Advanced topics cover online databases and DNA testing. Staff can guide you to resources for your specific questions.
Coral Springs Historical Society Archives
The Coral Springs Historical Society preserves the city's unique heritage. The society maintains archives and exhibits on local history. Founded in the 1970s, the organization documents Coral Springs' rapid growth. Volunteers collect photos, documents, and artifacts. These tell the story of the planned community and its people.
Photographs form a major part of the collection. You can see Coral Springs in its earliest days. Images show the original construction and development. There are photos of the first schools and businesses. You may find pictures of your ancestors or their homes. The visual record brings family history to life.
Documents trace the city's planned development. The society holds papers from the original developers. You can find information about neighborhood design. Records show how the city grew from concept to reality. These put your family story in historical context.
The society offers programs and exhibits. You can learn about Coral Springs' history through displays. Special events focus on different eras of development. Membership supports preservation efforts. Contact the society for research assistance.
Broward County Official Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records for Coral Springs families. The clerk's office is in Fort Lauderdale. You can visit in person or search online. Many records predate Coral Springs' founding. These help trace families in the area before 1963. The archives contain land grants from pioneer days. Early court cases show frontier justice. Marriage records document family formation.
Marriage licenses are a key resource. Broward County has kept these since 1915. Each license names the bride and groom. It shows their ages and birthplaces. Some list parents or previous spouses. You can search the clerk's online index from home.
Property deeds show land ownership through time. Broward County's western areas were developed later. Deeds track when Coral Ridge Properties bought the land. They follow sales to first homeowners. You can trace a lot from bean field to modern home. Spouses named on deeds reveal married names of daughters.
Probate records offer rich family details. When a Broward County resident died, their estate went to probate. These files name all heirs and relationships. Wills list children and grandchildren. Estate inventories show what families owned.
Court records add context to family stories. Civil cases may name ancestors as parties. Criminal files show legal troubles. Divorce records prove marriages that ended. Chapter 119 guarantees public access.
Florida State Archives Coral Springs Materials
The Florida State Archives holds records that include Coral Springs families. The archives are in Tallahassee but offer online access. You can order copies by mail. State collections cover all 67 Florida counties.
Vital records are a major resource. The State Archives hold death certificates from 1877 onward. These name the deceased and their parents. They give cause of death and burial place. Birth records are more restricted. Older records are available for genealogy.
State census records fill gaps between federal counts. Florida took censuses in 1885, 1935, and 1945. These name every person in each household. They give ages and birthplaces. This helps track families between federal census years.
Visit the Florida State Archives at dos.fl.gov to explore their holdings. The site offers research guides. You can search databases for free.
Digital Resources for Coral Springs Research
Online tools make genealogy research easier. You can search from home at any hour. Many sites offer free access. Others charge for premium features.
FamilySearch.org offers free Florida records. The site has Broward County marriages and deaths. You can view census images without cost.
Ancestry.com is the largest paid genealogy site. It includes all U.S. census records and Florida newspapers. Many libraries offer free access.
Find A Grave lists cemetery records for the area. Volunteers have photographed thousands of local graves.
Florida Vital Records for Coral Springs Families
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains birth and death records. Chapter 382 of Florida Statutes governs these records. You can order copies for genealogy.
Birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. Death records less than 50 years old have similar limits. After these periods, records become public.
Visit the Florida Health website at floridahealth.gov for ordering details.
Vital records prove family relationships. Keep copies of all you find.
Broward County Genealogy Records
Coral Springs is part of Broward County. Most official records are kept at the county level. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains these files.