Book Description

This researcher's handbook provides information on what types of historical records may be available for persons who lived in Florida in the nineteenth century. It includes many types of records that are not available through the popular online genealogy databases and, therefore, are often overlooked. These include the pre-1821 records of the Spanish provinces of East Florida and West Florida, the early territorial records, and most county records. Using images of actual records, the book shows what type of information can be found in each. This is followed by instructions on how to obtain the record in print, microfilm and/or online. Maps, tables, and photos are used to supplement and provide context for how to interpret the records. This book covers the following records for 19th century Florida:African American records, agricultural census, cemetery records, federal and state population censuses, church records, city directories, county borders, death notices and obituaries, family Bibles, immigration records, jury/court records, land patents and deeds, marks and brands, marriage records, military returns (forts), military service records, naming patterns, Native American records, naturalization records, newspapers, online mapping systems, passports, photo archives, physician's license, PLSS maps, slave records, Social Security Application (SS-5), Spanish archives for East and West Florida, Spanish land grants, federal and local taxes, territorial papers, voter lists, will and probate records, and more. The anticipated users of the book will be genealogists, biographers, historians, and college and high school students who are seeking primary source material.