- So, you have written down all you know about your
family, contacted relatives for their information and maybe even picked
a computer program to keep it all straight. Now it is time to start your
outside research. Where do you go next in central Florida? This list
should give you some ideas, compliments of your fellow researchers in
the Central Florida Genealogical Society.
-
-
ORLANDO
PUBLIC LIBRARY (Orange County Library System):
One of the finest genealogical collections in the Southeast is housed on
the fourth floor of the Orlando Public Library in downtown Orlando.
- -Microfilms of the U. S. Federal Census from 1790 to 1930 and their
extant printed indexes are available, along with the immigration indexes
for New York, Philadelphia, Boston, New Orleans, Galveston, and
Baltimore.
- -Additional extensive microfilm and microfiche resources are
available.
- -In the book area you will find most standard immigration
indexes as well as substantial collections on most states, Canada, and
the British Isles.
- -Internet access to a variety of Genealogical
resources is available.
- -Also, a full subscription to all databases of AncestryPlus©, the library version of "Ancestry.com", is available
at all Internet computers on the 2nd floor, and at all Orange County
Library System branches.
- -An Orange County Library System library card or fee
card is required for Internet access. A $5 PC pass, good for 7
consecutive days, is also available for purchase for non-Orange County
residents. Genealogy resources can be identified in our online library
catalog at http://www.ocls.info/
.
- -Also, you may "Ask a Librarian" online or call QuestLine
407-835-7640 with your Genealogy questions. Remember that as you locate
possible sources not available locally, the library can help Orange
County Library System library card holders via inter library loan.
- -Computer classes are also available, such as "Tracing Your Ancestors."
Check the online calendar or call 407-835-7381 for a schedule of classes
and how to enroll. OPL is located at 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando,
(407) 835-7323.
-
- ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL
HISTORY CENTER: Now
located in its "new" home, the
restored 1927 Orange County Courthouse, the history center uses
artifacts, exhibits, educational classes, re-enactments and multi-media
shows to present the historical development of Central Florida.
Location: 65 East Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-836-8500 Toll Free: 800-965-2030
http://www.thehistorycenter.org/
-
-
FAMILY
HISTORY CENTERS: Operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of the
Latter Day Saints (the Mormons), these centers are open to all and give
you access to the tremendous genealogical collection they have amassed
in Salt Lake City, Utah. Via computer or on microfiche you can search
the International Genealogical Index (IGI), millions of names extracted
from records all over the world, and look for genealogical work already
done on your family and submitted to the Ancestry File. Volunteers staff
the centers and hours vary.
-Orlando FHC, 45 E Par St. (407) 895-4832.
-Lake Mary FHC, 2255 Lake Emma Rd.,
(407) 333-0137.
-Kissimmee FHC, 701 W. Wetherbee Rd. (407) 826-8970.
-Clermont FHC, 14600 Green Valley, (352) 242-6363.
- A listing of all Florida Family History Centers
is available at:
http://www.genhomepage.com/FHC/Florida.html
-
- THE LIBRARY OF FLORIDA HISTORICAL
SOCIETY For
Florida researchers, a visit to the this Library of the Florida Historical
Society (formerly the Alma Clyde Field Library) is a
must! The library has a wonderful selection of currently available books
on Florida, and many old records such as WPA records. Open
Tuesday-Saturday from 10-5; however, you should call ahead because the
library is run by volunteers and they periodically close. It is located
at 435 Brevard Ave, Cocoa, FL 32922 (321) 690-1971. For online
information:
http://www.florida-historical-soc.org
-
- BREVARD COUNTY
LIBRARIES The majority
of the genealogy holdings are held at the libraries in Cocoa,
Melbourne and Titusville. These three collections vary in size and
content. AncestryPlus® is available at all Brevard County
Libraries on their computers.
- Central Brevard Public Library,
308 Forrest Ave., Cocoa, FL - (321) 633-1794,
- Holdings include:
- -A large passenger list collection, New England,
NC, SC, VA.
- -Approximately 350 CD-ROM’s & 3,000
books.
- -Various old local newspapers.
- -Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.
- -Florida Vital Records Indexes - Deaths, Divorces
and Marriages.
- -Brevard County Records Collection – 50 rolls
of microfilm that include Brevard County Deeds. Marriages,
Probate, Delayed Births, Naturalizations & Soldiers and
Sailors discharge records.
- -plus 1,500 volumes and other genealogy materials
from Brevard Community College.
- Melbourne Public Library,
540 E. Fee Ave., Melbourne, FL - (321) 952-4514
- The collection includes:
- -The Melbourne City Hall collection.
- -The Arlyn Gantz Michigan Collection.
- -The Hartford Times Index.
- -CD-ROM access.
- -The complete set of The War of the Rebellion.
- North Brevard Public Library,
2121 S. Hopkins Ave., Titusville, FL - (321) 254-5026 (maintained
by volunteers) - Approximately 900 volumes,
- -American State Papers.
- -Papers of Continental Congress.
- -North Brevard Mortuary Indexes.
- -East Coast & Indian River Advocate 1890-1929.
- -1830-1850 Florida Census.
-
http://www.brev.org/
-
-
UNIVERSITY
OF CENTRAL FLORIDA LIBRARY: This is a
research facility with course specific collections. Genealogists will
find the National Union Catalogue of Manuscripts and the printed card
catalogue of the Library of Congress useful. It is available through the
early 1980s. For local researchers, they have the Carey Hand Funeral
Home records, 1891-1952. This is also a patent depository, with access
on US and foreign patents. There are also extensive indexes of
periodicals on the main campus of UCF, Alafaya Trail and University
Blvd., (407) 823-2756.
http://libguides.lib.ucf.edu/genealogy
-
-
DELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY:
They have considerable holdings on Florida and the Deland area,
including:
- -City directories from 1944-1994.
- -Local genealogies;
- -114
notebooks on local deaths from 1920 to 1978.
- -Newspaper obits since
1986.
- -State holdings focus on the Northeast, including the Pennsylvania
Archives from 1871 to 1888.
- -Massachusetts Revolutionary War Records.
- -The
New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1847-1982.
- -Many
DAR lineage books.
- -Census indexes from 1790 to 1850 for most
states.
- -The IGI through 1992 is available on fiche, and they have
several major journals, too. CD's include the Family Tree Maker Master
Index and the Social Security Death Index. This collection is located on
the second floor of the library, 130 E. Howry Ave. Deland. (386)
822-6430. http://www.vcpl.lib.fl.us/
-
- OSCEOLA/KISSIMMEE PUBLIC
LIBRARY: This is a small but growing
collection that started with civil war and veterans records and grew
with donations from individuals with roots mainly in the eastern United
States. Printed passenger indexes are also available. This library is
located at 211 E. Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, (407) 935-0777.
http://www.osceolalibrary.org/
-
- WINTER PARK LIBRARY:
This library has some "how to" books and has book on Winter Park
history. They also maintain vertical files. This library is located at
460 E. New England Ave., Winter Park. (407) 623-3300.
http://www.wppl.org/
-
- SEMINOLE COUNTY LIBRARY:
This library has some "how to" books, Internet access, and has some
Federal Records in the general collection that might be useful in
specific cases. The Main Branch of the Library is located at 215 N.
Oxford Rd., Casselberry, (407) 339-4000.
http://www.scpl.lib.fl.us/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IDEAS: There is no one way to track your family, but here is a
possible general outline for using the resources in Central Florida:
1. Census work at OPL. Should give you an outline of names to work
on.
2. Armed with the names, visit BCC/UCF library and run them
through the CD's and follow up any leads that might generate.
3. IGI and other indexes at FHCs.
4. State, local and immigration index records at OPL
5. State and local records at FHCs.
Remember to work from the known to the unknown. Always consult
primary records and documents and keep close track of all the sources
you check, even if you do not find anything. Always check all possible
sources. Good hunting.
Central Florida Genealogical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 536309
Orlando, FL 32853-6309
Please e-mail comments, additions or corrections to this list:
(Click here for email link) cfgs@cfgs.org
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