Pompano Beach Ancestry Research
Pompano Beach genealogy connects families to a historic South Florida beach town. Settled in the 1890s and incorporated in 1908, Pompano Beach grew from farming and fishing roots into a coastal city. The town was named for the pompano fish found in abundance offshore. Early families farmed winter vegetables and pineapples. They fished the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway. Today their descendants search for records of those hardy pioneers.
Pompano Beach Quick Facts
Broward County Library Pompano Beach Branch
The Broward County Library Pompano Beach Branch serves local genealogy researchers. The library is at 1213 E. Atlantic Boulevard near the beach. Staff there help patrons access family history resources. You can reach them at (954) 357-7595. This location connects you to the full county library system. The building sits in the heart of the city. Visitors enjoy ocean breezes nearby. The collection supports diverse research needs.
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.
The library offers materials on Florida and local history. You can find books about Broward County's coastal communities. Old maps show how Pompano Beach developed. City directories list residents from the early 1900s 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 earlier local papers. These contain birth notices, wedding announcements, and obituaries. You can read about the city's growth from fishing village to modern city. 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 foreign records. Staff can guide you to resources for your questions.
Pompano Beach Historical Society
The Pompano Beach Historical Society preserves the city's coastal heritage. The society maintains archives and exhibits on local history. Founded by residents who value the city's past, the organization documents Pompano Beach's unique story. Volunteers collect photos, documents, and artifacts. These tell the story of the fishing and farming community.
Photographs form a major part of the collection. You can see Pompano Beach in its earliest days. Images show the original fishing docks and farms. There are photos of early homes and businesses. You may find pictures of your ancestors. 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 agricultural era. Records show how the city evolved over time. These put your family story in context.
The society offers programs and exhibits. You can learn about Pompano Beach's history. Special events focus on different aspects of local heritage. Membership supports preservation efforts.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains official records for Pompano Beach families. The clerk's office is in Fort Lauderdale. You can visit in person or search online. Many records predate Pompano Beach's incorporation. These help trace families in the area before 1908. Early land grants show pioneer settlement. Court records document frontier disputes. Marriage licenses reveal 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. Pompano Beach was carved from coastal wilderness. Deeds track when pioneers claimed land. They follow sales through the decades. 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.
Court records add context to family stories. Civil cases may name ancestors as parties. Criminal files show legal troubles. Chapter 119 guarantees public access.
Florida State Archives Pompano Beach Materials
The Florida State Archives holds records that include Pompano Beach 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.
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 Tools for Pompano Beach 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.
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 Pompano Beach 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
Pompano Beach is part of Broward County. Most official records are kept at the county level. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains these files.