Hollywood Family Records Research
Hollywood genealogy connects families to one of South Florida's earliest planned cities. Founded in 1925 by Joseph Young, Hollywood was designed as a "Dream City in Florida." The town grew rapidly during the Florida land boom of the 1920s. Many families came from the Midwest and Northeast. They built homes and businesses along the Intracoastal Waterway. Today their descendants search for records of those early days.
Hollywood Quick Facts
Broward County Library Hollywood Branch
The Broward County Library Hollywood Branch serves as a hub for local genealogy research. The library is at 2600 Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of the city. Staff there assist researchers with family history questions. You can reach them at (954) 357-7760. This location offers access to the full resources of the county library system. The building sits near the historic downtown district. Visitors enjoy easy parking and modern facilities. The staff speaks multiple languages to serve diverse patrons.
The library provides free access to major genealogy databases. Ancestry Library Edition is available on site. This includes census records, military files, and immigration lists. HeritageQuest offers remote access with a library card. Both cover the United States and many other nations. This helps trace families who came to Hollywood from afar.
Hollywood history materials are a special focus. The collection includes books about the city's founder Joseph Young. You can find early city directories from the 1920s. These list the original residents street by street. Maps show how the planned city was laid out. Photographs capture the boom years and the bust that followed.
Newspapers on microfilm preserve local news. The library holds the Hollywood Sun-Tattler and other area papers. These contain birth notices, wedding announcements, and obituaries. You can read about the city's growth decade by decade. Society pages list social events and club memberships. Obituaries name surviving family members and their relationships.
Classes help researchers at all levels. Beginners learn the basics of family history. Advanced topics cover online databases and foreign records. Staff can guide you to materials for your specific research. The library's website lists current programs.
Hollywood Historical Society Archives
The Hollywood Historical Society preserves the city's unique heritage. Founded by Joseph Young in 1925, Hollywood has a distinct character. The historical society maintains photos, documents, and artifacts. These tell the story of the "Dream City" and its people. Staff and volunteers help researchers explore local history.
Photographs form a major part of the collection. You can see Hollywood in its earliest days. Images show the wide boulevards Young planned. There are photos of the original homes and businesses. You may find pictures of your ancestors or their properties. The visual record brings family history to life.
Documents trace the city's development. The society holds papers from early city government. You can find information about the 1926 hurricane that nearly destroyed Hollywood. Records show how the city rebuilt and grew. These put your family story in historical context.
The society offers programs and tours. You can learn about Hollywood's historic districts. Walking tours show buildings from the 1920s and 1930s. Special events focus on different aspects of local history. Membership supports preservation efforts.
Broward County Official Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records for Hollywood families. The clerk's office is in Fort Lauderdale. You can visit in person or search online. Many records predate Hollywood's founding. These help trace families in the area before 1925. The documents span from pioneer settlement through the modern era. Land records show the transformation from wilderness to city. Court files reveal how the legal system served early residents.
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. This finds marriages without a visit.
Property deeds show land ownership through time. Hollywood was carved from raw land. Deeds track when Joseph Young bought the area. They follow sales to early settlers. You can trace a lot from the 1920s to today. 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. This reveals how they lived in different eras.
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. All of these paint a picture of family life. The clerk maintains these as public records under Chapter 119.
Florida State Archives Hollywood Materials
The Florida State Archives holds records that include Hollywood families. The archives are in Tallahassee but offer online access. You can order copies by mail. State collections cover all 67 Florida counties. This includes Broward County history.
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. Free online indexes help you find these documents.
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. The 1935 census captures Hollywood a decade after its founding.
Visit the Florida State Archives at dos.fl.gov to explore their holdings. The site offers research guides for beginners. You can search databases for free. Staff answer questions by email.
Digital Resources for Hollywood 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. Knowing which to use saves time.
FamilySearch.org offers free Florida records. The site has Broward County marriages and deaths. You can view census images without cost. Users build family trees to share research. Check back often for new additions.
Ancestry.com is the largest paid genealogy site. It includes all U.S. census records and Florida newspapers. You can find military records and passenger lists. Many libraries offer free access on their computers.
Find A Grave lists cemetery records for the area. Volunteers have photographed thousands of local graves. You can find birth and death dates on headstones. Many entries include family links.
Florida Vital Records for Hollywood 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. Some records are open to anyone. Others have restrictions.
Birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. Only the person named or heirs can obtain copies. 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. The site explains what identification you need. The office can search for records when dates are unknown.
Vital records prove family relationships. Keep copies of all you find.
Broward County Genealogy Records
Hollywood is part of Broward County. Most official records are kept at the county level. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains these files.