Starke Marriage License Research

Bradford County genealogy research reveals family roots in north central Florida. The county formed in 1858 and was originally called New River County. Records span over 165 years of history. The county seat is Starke. You can find birth records, marriage licenses, and death certificates. The Clerk of Court holds court records. The county is located between Gainesville and Jacksonville, making it a crossroads for north Florida families.

Bradford County Clerk of Court Records

The Clerk of Court maintains vital records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This office stores marriage licenses and court records. You can search official records online or visit in person. The courthouse is in Starke. Staff members can help you locate old documents. Many records have been digitized for easier access.

Marriage records before 1927 are at the county level while the state holds records from June 6, 1927 forward under Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes. Probate records show estate settlements. These files contain family relationship details. Court records document legal matters. Official records include deeds and mortgages. You can search many records online.

Contact the Bradford County Clerk at 945 N. Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091. Call 904-966-6280.

Florida State Archives Genealogy Resources

The State Archives of Florida contains Bradford County resources. Confederate Pension Applications include local veterans. Spanish Land Grants show original property owners. World War I Service Cards document military service. You can access these in Tallahassee.

Visit the State Archives of Florida to explore these resources. These collections help trace families across time. The archives house millions of documents. They cover Florida history from the colonial period to modern times. Genealogists use these records to build family trees.

Bureau of Vital Statistics for Bradford County

The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps birth and death records under Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes. Birth records are available from 1917. Death records go back further. This office serves all Florida counties. They maintain the official records for the entire state.

Birth certificates less than 125 years old remain restricted under Florida law, with access limited to the person named on the record, parents listed, legal guardians, or legal representatives. You must provide valid identification. Marriage records from June 6, 1927 forward are at the state level. Earlier marriages are at the county clerk office.

Order records through VitalChek.

Call 877-550-7330.

Bradford County Property and Land Records

Property records in Bradford County trace land ownership patterns recorded under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The Property Appraiser maintains these documents. Deeds show property transfers. Maps display boundaries. These records help reconstruct communities.

Visit the county website for property searches. The Property Appraiser works with the Clerk of Court. Together they preserve the chain of title for land. This helps prove ownership and settle estate matters. Old deeds may mention family members. They sometimes note relationships between buyers and sellers.

Bradford County Historical Records

The county changed its name from New River County to Bradford in 1861. Early settlers farmed the land. Cotton and tobacco were major crops. The railroad came through in the 1850s. Many families have lived here for generations. The region has deep agricultural roots.

Local historical societies preserve family stories. Old newspapers contain obituaries and birth notices. Church records list baptisms and marriages. Cemetery stones mark final resting places. These sources add depth to your research. They provide context for vital records. The Bradford County Historical Society meets regularly. They collect photos and documents from local families. Members help with research questions.

Bradford County Genealogy Research Tips

Begin your research with family documents. Gather names and dates. Interview older relatives. Record their memories. They may know details not found in official records.

Census records document Bradford County families from 1860. Track families across multiple years. Check neighboring counties. Families often moved between Bradford, Clay, and Alachua counties. Migration patterns follow roads and rivers. The St. Marys River was a key route.

Visit the State Library Genealogy Page for resources. They offer guides for new researchers. You can also access Ancestry Library Edition at the Starke library.

Bradford County Cemetery Records

Cemetery records provide vital information for family historians. Bradford County has many historic burial grounds. Some date back to the 1800s. Small family cemeteries dot the rural landscape. Church cemeteries hold generations of local families. The Bradford County Historical Society has surveyed many graveyards. They have recorded tombstone inscriptions. These transcripts are available at the local library.

Find a Grave and Billion Graves have online indexes. Volunteers have photographed many local headstones. Always verify online information with official records. Errors can occur in transcriptions. Visit the cemeteries when possible. Note the surrounding graves. Family members were often buried near each other.

Nearby Counties for Genealogy Research

These counties border Bradford County. Your ancestors may have lived in or moved to these areas. Check records in neighboring counties. Boundary lines changed over time. A farm might have been in two different counties.