Fort Lauderdale Family Archives
Fort Lauderdale genealogy research explores Florida's southeastern coast. Founded in 1911, this city grew from a frontier outpost to a world-famous destination. It sits in Broward County, which holds rich records for family historians. Tourism and boating shaped the local economy. Many families have called this area home for generations. Understanding these records helps you discover your Fort Lauderdale ancestors.
Fort Lauderdale Quick Facts
Broward County Main Library
The Broward County Main Library serves as the primary genealogy resource in Fort Lauderdale. Located at 100 S. Andrews Avenue, this downtown facility houses extensive collections. Staff can be reached at (954) 357-7444 for research assistance. The library provides both in-person and remote access to many records. The facility welcomes genealogy researchers from across South Florida.
Census records anchor most Fort Lauderdale family research. The library holds federal census microfilm from 1790 through 1950. Fort Lauderdale first appears in census records in the 1920s. Researchers can track households through successive census years. Population schedules reveal family compositions and occupations. Many early residents worked in agriculture or fishing industries.
Local newspapers provide rich details about Fort Lauderdale families. The library holds the Sun Sentinel and its predecessors on microfilm. These publications contain birth announcements, marriage notices, and obituaries. Society columns tracked the activities of prominent families. News stories capture important events in the community.
City directories trace Fort Lauderdale families between census years. The library collection includes directories from the 1920s onward. These volumes list residents alphabetically by name. Entries show addresses and occupations. Directories help track families as they moved within the city.
Fort Lauderdale Historical Society
The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society preserves the city's rich heritage. Located at 231 SW 2nd Avenue, it sits near the New River. The organization maintains archives and historic buildings. Genealogists find unique resources here. Staff assistance is available for navigating these materials.
Photograph collections bring Fort Lauderdale ancestors to life. The Historical Society holds thousands of historic images. Many show street scenes and daily life. Researchers may find photos of their ancestors' homes and businesses. Early tourism photos document the city's growth. Reproductions are available for personal use.
Manuscript collections contain personal papers of Fort Lauderdale residents. Letters, diaries, and business records survive from the early 1900s. These materials offer intimate glimpses into family life. Finding aids help researchers locate relevant collections.
Broward County Official Records
Broward County maintains official records for all Fort Lauderdale residents. The county was established in 1915. Fort Lauderdale has served as the county seat since the beginning. The Broward County Clerk of Courts manages most historical records. Their office provides access to documents dating to the county's founding.
Marriage records document unions performed in Fort Lauderdale. The clerk maintains licenses from 1915 to the present. Early records show the names of the bride and groom. Later records add parent names and other details. Marriage records prove family connections. They also show when new families arrived in the area.
Property deeds trace land ownership through Fort Lauderdale history. The city's real estate boom began in the 1920s. Deed records show who bought and sold land. They reveal married names of daughters. Chain of title research follows property across generations. The canal system created unique waterfront properties.
Probate files preserve details of Fort Lauderdale estates. When residents died, courts oversaw the distribution of property. These cases generated extensive paperwork. Wills name heirs and their relationships. Estate inventories list personal property. Guardianship records document care of minor children.
Florida State Archives Collections
The Florida State Archives preserves records covering all of Broward County. Located in Tallahassee, the archives welcome Fort Lauderdale researchers. Many records are also available online. The collections complement local holdings. State-level copies sometimes survive when county records were lost.
Vital statistics records form a core collection. The state began systematic record keeping in the late 1800s. Birth and death certificates prove family relationships. Access follows rules set by Chapter 382. Older records are open to the public. Newer records have privacy restrictions.
Military records document Fort Lauderdale veterans. The archives hold service cards for Florida soldiers. World War II and later conflicts are covered in detail. These files list service details and family members. Visit dos.fl.gov to access these resources.
Internet Resources for Fort Lauderdale
Digital collections have expanded Fort Lauderdale genealogy research. Many records are now accessible from home computers. This convenience helps researchers worldwide. Both free and subscription sites offer materials. Knowing where to look speeds up the research process.
FamilySearch.org provides free record access. The site includes census images and marriage indexes. Church records from local parishes are available. The catalog lists microfilm for ordering. New digitization projects add records regularly.
Ancestry.com hosts extensive collections. Census records and city directories are complete. Subscription costs apply, but library access is often free.
State Vital Records for Fort Lauderdale
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains birth and death records for Fort Lauderdale residents. These certificates provide primary evidence of family relationships. State-level copies supplement county holdings. Understanding access rules helps researchers plan their requests.
Birth records have a 100-year privacy restriction. Death records are restricted for 50 years. After these periods, records become public. The Florida Health website at floridahealth.gov provides ordering details.
Broward County Genealogy Records
Fort Lauderdale serves as the county seat of Broward County. Most official records for city residents are held at the county level. The Clerk of Courts and other county offices maintain these documents. Researchers should explore both city and county resources.