Miramar Heritage Records Research
Miramar genealogy reflects the story of modern South Florida development. Incorporated in 1955, Miramar grew from dairy farms and wetlands into a thriving suburban city. A. B. Cord built the original homes as a bedroom community for Miami and Fort Lauderdale workers. Families moved here seeking affordable homes in the post-war boom. Today their descendants search for records of those early years.
Miramar Quick Facts
Broward County Library Miramar Branch
The Broward County Library Miramar Branch serves local genealogy researchers. The library is at 2050 Civic Center Place in the city center. Staff there help patrons access family history resources. You can reach them at (954) 357-8090. This location connects you to the full county library system. The modern facility opened to serve the growing community. Computer stations provide database access. Meeting rooms host genealogy programs.
Your library card unlocks 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 South Florida from other states and countries. The databases cover the entire United States.
The library provides materials on Florida and local history. You can find books about Broward County's growth. Old maps show how Miramar developed from farm land. City directories list residents from the 1950s onward. These track families as the city expanded. 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 earlier papers. These contain birth notices, wedding announcements, and obituaries. You can read about events that shaped the community. Obituaries name surviving family members.
Classes teach genealogy skills at 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 questions. The library's website lists current programs and hours.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains official records for Miramar families. The clerk's office is in Fort Lauderdale. You can visit in person or search online. Many records predate Miramar's founding. These help trace families in the area before 1955. The files include land transactions from pioneer days. Court cases reveal early disputes over property. Marriage records show how families formed in the region.
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 to the office.
Property deeds show land ownership through time. Broward County saw massive growth after World War II. Deeds track when the Cord family and others bought land. They follow sales to early homeowners. You can trace a lot from raw land to developed property. 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. Probate files are public records.
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. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes guarantees public access.
Florida State Archives Miramar Materials
The Florida State Archives holds records that include Miramar 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 1945 census captures the area just before Miramar's founding.
Visit the Florida State Archives at dos.fl.gov to explore their holdings. The site offers research guides. You can search databases for free. Staff answer questions by email.
Digital Tools for Miramar Research
Online resources 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 Miramar 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 based on age.
Birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. Only the person named or their 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
Miramar is part of Broward County. Most official records are kept at the county level. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains these files.