Fort Lauderdale Family History

Broward County genealogy research uncovers family history in southeast Florida. The county formed in 1915 and was named after Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward. Records span over a century. The county seat is Fort Lauderdale. You can find birth records, marriage licenses, and death certificates. The Clerk of Court maintains court records. The county has grown from a small settlement into a major urban center. Millions of people now call this area home.

Broward County Clerk of Court Records

The Clerk of Court maintains extensive records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This office stores marriage licenses and court documents. You can search official records online. The courthouse is in Fort Lauderdale. Staff can help locate documents. Many records have been digitized.

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.

Contact the Broward County Clerk at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Call 954-831-6565.

Florida State Archives Genealogy Resources

The State Archives of Florida holds Broward County resources. World War I Service Cards document military service. Supreme Court Records contain cases. You can access these in Tallahassee.

Visit the State Archives of Florida to explore these collections. The archives preserve Florida's documentary heritage. They collect government records and private papers. Genealogy is one of their top research areas. You will find military records, land grants, and voter rolls. The Confederate Pension Applications are very popular. They contain detailed family information. World War I Service Cards list next of kin. These help trace relatives who served.

Bureau of Vital Statistics for Broward 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 vital records for the 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 are at the state level.

Order through VitalChek.

Call 877-550-7330.

Broward County Property and Land Records

Property records in Broward 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 Clerk website for searches. The online system is comprehensive. You can search millions of records. Results include digital images of original documents. The records date back to the early 1900s. Before that, this area was part of Palm Beach and Dade counties. You may need to check those records for older ancestors.

Broward County Settlement History

Broward County is one of Florida's newer counties. The area was once part of Palm Beach and Dade counties. The land was swampy and hard to farm. Early settlers drained the Everglades. They built homes on the new dry land.

The 1920s land boom brought many new residents. People came from all over the United States. They wanted warm weather and new chances. Fort Lauderdale grew fast. The population exploded after World War II. Many veterans moved here. This created a rich mix of family backgrounds.

Broward County Genealogy Research Tips

Start with family documents. Gather names and dates. Look for old address books. Check for family photos with notes on the back. Interview older family members. Record their stories.

Census records document Broward County families from 1920. Track families across years. The 1945 Florida State Census is helpful. It falls between federal census years. Florida was one of few states to take this census.

Visit the State Library Genealogy Page for resources. The Broward County libraries have special collections too. The Main Library in Fort Lauderdale has a Florida Room. It holds local history materials.

Broward County Newspaper Archives

Newspapers preserve the daily lives of our ancestors. Broward County newspapers date back to the early 1900s. The Fort Lauderdale News began in 1911. It merged with the Sun-Sentinel later. These papers contain obituaries and birth announcements. Wedding stories often list attendants and relatives. Social columns report visits from out of town family.

The State Library has microfilm of old newspapers. You can view them in Tallahassee. Some papers are digitized online. The Florida Digital Newspaper Library is free to use. It has searchable scans of historic papers. Check multiple dates for ongoing stories. Accidents and crimes were reported in detail. These articles can reveal surprising family details.

Nearby Counties for Genealogy Research

These counties border Broward County. Your ancestors may have lived in or moved to these areas. Check records in neighboring counties. Before 1915, Broward records may be in Palm Beach or Dade counties.