St. Augustine Ancestry Archives

St. Johns County genealogy research connects you to America's oldest city. The county formed in 1821 and includes the historic city of St. Augustine founded in 1565. Records date back to Spanish colonial times. The area holds baptism records, marriage documents, and land grants from the 1500s. Many families trace roots to Spanish settlers. Early colonists built a permanent settlement. They established missions throughout the region. The fort still stands today. It protected the town for centuries. Local archives contain unique genealogy treasures. The county has centuries of history. Researchers find unmatched resources here. Documents span nearly five hundred years. This depth is rare in America.

St. Johns County Clerk of Court Records

The Clerk of Court in St. Johns County maintains official records for genealogy research under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes ensuring public access to government documents. This office holds marriage licenses, court cases, probate files, and land records dating back to 1821. You can visit the office in St. Augustine to search records. Staff members help find historical documents. The courthouse is historic. It sits near the old city. Records survived many years. Some date to territorial days. The clerk uses modern systems. Digital copies protect fragile originals. You can search online from home. This saves travel time. Staff assist with complex searches. Spanish names may have variations. Bring all possible spellings. This helps find ancestors. Office hours are weekdays. Call ahead for special needs.

Marriage records before 1927 stay at the county level, while the state only holds records from June 6, 1927 forward under Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes. For older marriage licenses, check with the St. Johns County Clerk directly. Probate records show how estates were settled and property divided among heirs. These files contain valuable family relationship details. Land deeds trace ownership through generations of St. Johns County residents. Court records reveal legal matters and family disputes. Spanish land grants appear in early records. They show original ownership. British period records also exist. Florida changed hands several times. Each power kept different records. Research may need multiple languages. Spanish documents need translation. The online search system helps. Enter names and dates. Results show file locations. Some records view online. Others need in-person visits. Staff retrieve documents carefully. Older records are fragile. Handle with care. Copy services are available. Fees are reasonable. Certified copies cost more. They have legal standing. Keep a research log. Note what you find. Record all file numbers. This helps future searches. The courthouse is downtown. Parking is nearby. Staff welcome researchers.

The St. Johns County Clerk of Court is at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Call (904) 819-3600. Visit stjohnsclerk.com for online record access.

Florida State Archives Genealogy Resources

The State Archives of Florida holds extensive collections for St. Johns County genealogy research. These materials are unique. You will find colonial documents. The archives preserve state records. They collect from all counties. St. Johns has the oldest records. Holdings include Spanish colonial files. They date to the 1500s. These are precious documents. They need special handling. Confederate pension files exist. World War I service cards are available. Voter rolls from 1867 show residents. The archives building is in Tallahassee. It is open to all. Staff assist researchers daily. They know the collections. Online catalogs help planning. Search before visiting. This saves time. Bring photo identification.

Spanish Colonial Records document the earliest European settlers in the region. These include baptism and marriage records from Catholic churches dating to the 1500s. Priests kept detailed records. They noted births and deaths. Marriage records show family connections. Godparents appear in baptism entries. These show social networks. Spanish naming customs differ from English. Surnames include both parents. Women kept maiden names. This helps trace female lines. Confederate Pension Applications contain family information about veterans. Many moved to St. Johns after the war. Spanish Land Grants show original property owners from 1821. The 1867-68 Voter Registration Rolls include early residents. These unique records help trace families through multiple centuries of Florida history. You can research back to the 1500s. Few places in America offer this. The archives also hold British period records. Florida was British from 1763 to 1783. Documents from this era survive. They name residents and landowners.

These unique records help trace families through multiple centuries of Florida history. No other Florida county has such early documentation. Researchers find unmatched resources here.

Visit the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee. Call (850) 245-6700. Search online catalogs to plan your research. Staff can help locate materials.

Bureau of Vital Statistics for St. Johns County

The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps birth and death records for St. Johns County under Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes. Birth records start from 1917. Death records go back further. You can order certified copies. The Bureau maintains statewide records. All counties report to them. The system began in 1917. Before that, records vary. Church records help fill gaps. Mission records predate state files. The Bureau searches statewide. This helps when unsure of location. Fees apply for services. Plan ahead for processing. Regular orders take weeks. Rush service costs extra. Mail orders need forms.

Birth records less than 125 years old remain confidential under Florida law. Access is limited to specific individuals with valid identification. Parents can get children's records. Adult children can obtain parents' records. Spouses need marriage proof. Legal guardians need court orders. Death records have fewer limits. The fact of death is public. Cause stays private for 50 years. State marriage records cover June 6, 1927 to present. Earlier marriages are at county clerk offices. Death records without cause of death are public. The cause stays private for 50 years. Order through VitalChek. The Bureau is at 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville. Call 877-550-7330. Mail orders require forms. Send payment by check. Include proof of identity. VitalChek handles credit cards. Phone orders go through VitalChek. The Bureau does not take phone orders directly. All requests need writing.

St. Johns County Genealogy Research Tips

Start your St. Johns County genealogy search with family information. Gather names and dates from home sources. Interview older relatives. Record their memories. Collect photos and documents. Look for family Bibles. Check old letters for clues. Organize your findings. Create a filing system. Keep track of sources. Note where you found each fact. This saves time later. Verify information with official records. Family stories may have errors. Compare multiple sources. Census records are key for this area. Federal census coverage began in 1830 for the region. Look for neighbors with the same surname. Families often settled near each other.

Newspapers provide additional details. The St. Augustine Record covered local news. It has published for over a century. Obituaries list survivors. They give funeral details. Wedding announcements describe ceremonies. Local columns mention visitors. These show social connections. Birth notices announce arrivals. Newspapers are on microfilm. The State Library holds many Florida papers. Some are digitized online. Check archives regularly. New content is added often. You may find unexpected stories. Old newspapers reported freely. They included personal details. This helps modern researchers. Be prepared for dated language. Spanish names may appear. They could be anglicized later. Watch for spelling variations.

Visit the State Library Genealogy Page for more resources. The library has databases to help research. These tools connect St. Johns County ancestors to wider networks. Good organization helps your search succeed. Keep research logs. Document your steps. Share findings with family. Join genealogy societies. The Florida State Genealogical Society offers help. Local groups know the area. Network with other researchers. Collaboration speeds up work. Always cite your sources.

Nearby Counties for Genealogy Research

These counties border St. Johns County. Your ancestors may have lived in or moved to these areas.