Florida Genealogical Records

Florida Birth & Baptism Records

Ohio Births and Christenings Index (1800-1962)

An index to 4 million births and baptisms recorded in Ohio. Entries may include name, gender, race, date and place of birth/baptism, name and birth place of parents, grandparents and more.

Florida Births and Christenings (1880-1935)

Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of Florida. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US Consular Reports of Births (1910-1945)

An index to and images of 36,000 birth records for children of US citizens registered abroad. Records contain child's name, date and place of birth, parents' names and ages, occupations, residence, passport numbers, consulate where registered, parents' naturalization dates, parents place of of birth and number of living children to the parents.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

Florida Marriage & Divorce Records

Florida Marriages (1830-1993)

Digital images of almost 1.6 million marriage records, including names, ages, races, occupations, places of birth and other details. Searchable by a name index.

Florida Marriage Index (1822-2001)

An index to 11.75 million marriages recorded in the state, providing the name of the bride and groom, county and date of marriage and a reference which can be used to order a certificate that will contain further details. The index does not cover 1876 to 1926.

Florida Divorce Index (1927-2001)

An index to 3 million divorces filed in Florida, including the names of the husband and wife, date of filing, county where filed and a reference to order further documents.

Florida Marriages (1837-1974)

Name index to marriage records from the state of Florida. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Southern Christian Advocate Marriage Notices (1867-1878)

Details of around 2,500 Methodist marriages from Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.

Florida Death & Burial Records

Florida Death Index (1877-1998)

An index to over 5 million deaths recorded in the state of Florida. It includes name, date and place of death, race, gender, date of birth and a reference to order a full death certificate.

Florida Deaths (1877-1939)

Transcripts of around 470,000 death records, which may record name, date and place of death, race, age, place of birth, spouse's name, parents' names and birthplaces, occupation etc.

Florida Deaths and Burials (1900-1921)

Name index to around 25,000 death and burial records from the state of Florida. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

United States Social Security Death Index (1962-Present)

An index to over 93 million people whose death has been recorded by the Social Security Administration. It includes date of birth, date of death, last place of residence and other details. It can be used to located other records, such as death certificates, which will provide more information.

US Mortality Schedules (1849-1886)

Details of over 1.6 million people who died between 1849 and 1886. Entries may list name, gender, colour, marital status, place of birth, occupation, cause of death and more.

Florida Census & Population Lists

1945 Florida State Census (1945)

Digital images of schedules recording households, their inhabitants, gender, age, place of birth, level of education and occupation. Searchable by a name index.

1935 Florida State Census (1935)

Images recording almost 1.6 million inhabitants of the state, arranged by address. Includes name, address, age, gender, race, relationship to head of household, place of birth, extent of education, habitation status and occupation. Can be searched by a name index.

1885 Florida State Census (1885)

An index to and images of schedules of over 300,000 inhabitants of the state, listing name, colour, gender, age, relationship to head of household, marital condition, occupation, place of birth, parents' places of birth, literacy and illness.

Florida State Censuses (1867-1945)

A name index and digital images recording over 4.1 million residents of Florida and the homes they lived in.

Florida Census & Substitutes Index (1820-1890)

An index to over 9,000 names from state and federal censuses, slaves schedules, a pensioners list, and two veterans schedules.

Newspapers Covering Florida

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

Newspapers.com (1728-Present)

A growing collection of text-searchable, digitalised newspapers from the United States of America. Contains thousands of titles and over 100 million pages.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Name Card Index to AP Stories (1905-1990)

An index to over 2.1 million people mentioned in Associated Press stories, including name, subject, location, date and a reference to the article.

Florida Wills & Probate Records

Florida Wills & Probate Records (1810-1974)

An index to and images of more than 75,000 wills and probate documents. They typically record details of the deceased's relatives; and sometimes describe real and personal property, sentiments, convictions, intended places of burial and more.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. I (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. II (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Florida Immigration & Travel Records

New York Passenger and Crew Lists (1909-1957)

Digital images of registers recording the arrival of passengers and crew at New York harbour. Varying details are included, such as name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, race, last place of residence, intended place of residence and more. The registers can be searched by a name index of over 28 million names.

Canada-US Border Crossings (1895-1956)

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border. It may include name, age, date and place of birth, gender, ethnicity/nationality, names of friends and relatives and more.

San Francisco Passenger Lists (1893-1953)

Name index and images from passenger lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. Records details, such as place of birth and occupation of around 3 million people.

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (1892-Present)

Images of passenger and crew lists, searchable by an index of more than 51 million names. Lists may contain details such as age, gender, place of origin, occupation and much more.

Boston, MA Passenger Lists (1891-1943)

Digital images of passenger lists, recording passenger names, their age, gender, occupation place of birth, citizenship, place of residence and intended place of residence. Searchable by an index of almost 3 million names.

Florida Military Records

Local Board for Military Duty Records (1917-1918)

Documents recording over 600,000 men from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee who were called up for military service. Includes names, occupations and military details.

Florida Spanish-American War Service Records (1898-1899)

Records of over 20,000 Florida men who served in the War, including abstracts of entries found in muster rolls and regimental returns, enlistment papers, discharge papers, requests for leaves of absence and furloughs, accounts of payment and clothing issued, and court-martial orders.

Confederate Citizens File (1861-1865)

An index to and images of hundreds-of-thousands of documents relating to goods furnished or services rendered the Confederate government by private individuals or business firms.

Confederate Navy Subject File (1861-1865)

Naval records of the Confederate States relating to ships, personnel, government relationships, and history, during the Civil War era, although some Union records are included as well. Of particular interest are paymasters' vouchers, which list disbursements for supplies, equipment, transportation, and other services.

Florida: Indian Wars Service Records (1835-1858)

Extracts from muster rolls, payrolls, regimental returns and other lists recording men who fought in The Florida Indian Wars.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

US Southern Claims Commission Master Index (1871-1880)

An index and digital images of claims filed by residents of Southern states for reimbursement due to property damaged during The Civil War.

Key West Admiralty Records (1829-1911)

These records cover prize, ransom, and salvage cases; suits to establish title to a ship independent of possession of the ship; possessory actions to recover ships; and a variety of maritime contracts and torts.

US Passport Applications (1795-1925)

Digital images of applications for passports, which list name, date and place of birth, father's particulars, immigration and naturalisation details, residence, occupation, photograph and more. Searchable by a name index.

US Social Security Applications & Claims Index (1936-2007)

An index to 49 million applications and claims for social security. The index includes name, SSN, date and place of birth, nation of citizenship, gender, father's name, mother's maiden name and race.

Florida Taxation Records

IRS Tax Assessment Lists (1862-1918)

An index to and digital images of registers recording 8.8 million instances of taxation. The records list the name of the person or business being taxed: their address and details tax assessed and paid.

Florida Land & Property Records

US General Land Office Records (1796-1907)

An index to and digital images of 2.2 million land patents, primarily cash and homestead, from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Florida Homestead & Cash Entry Patents (1770-1908)

Documents recording land transfers. The records contain names, acreages, signatures, dates, mineral rights, bounds, descriptions of land and more.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

US Southern Claims Commission Master Index (1871-1880)

An index and digital images of claims filed by residents of Southern states for reimbursement due to property damaged during The Civil War.

Disallowed Southern Claims Commission Claims (1871-1880)

An index to the names of over 15,000 people who made unsuccessful claims from reimbursement due to property damaged during The Civil War.

Florida Directories & Gazetteers

Ohio & Florida City Directories (1902-1960)

An index to and digital images of books that describe various facets of the state and list around 5 million inhabitants. They may include address, occupation, business name, property status, wife's name and more.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

US City Directories (1821-1989)

An index to around 1.5 billion names found in books containing list of citizens & businesses: their addresses and occupation or business. The index is linked to scanned images of the books, which may also contain local history, details of government bodies, officials and more.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

US Phone & Address Directories (1993-2002)

Transcriptions of over 313 million entries from directories, which may list name, address, city, state and phone number.

Florida Cemeteries

Florida Gravestones (1800-Present)

A growing database of over 25,000 gravestones, searchable by name and organised by cemetery.

US Veteran's Gravesites (1775-2008)

A database containing details of the burial of 7.6 million US military veterans. Entries may contain details of birth, next of kin and more.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Cemetery Interment Control Forms (1928-1962)

This database contains cards recording details for members of the US Army interred in national cemeteries. May include details of next of kin, military service and other details.

Florida Obituaries

Southern Christian Advocate Obituaries (1867-1878)

Abstracts of obituaries of Methodists from the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Obituary Collection (1700-Present)

A growing database containing 10s of millions of abstract obituaries with a reference to the publication it occurred in and a link to the full obituary if available online.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

Florida Histories & Books

A History of Florida (1904)

A history of the exploration, colonization and statehood of Florida.

A History of Florida (1512-1842)

A history of the state of Florida, with special attention to its exploration of The Florida War.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Mary Evans Picture Library (2000 BC-Present)

A database of over 300,000 photos, etchings, engravings and other mediums depicting places and events in the British Isles and the rest of the world.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Florida School & Education Records

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

A growing index to over 300 million entries in middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks linked to digital images of the yearbook pages. Yearbooks usually include name and photo, but may include biographical data, such as family relations, academic achievements and hobbies.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

An index to and digital images of over 20,000 year books, listing details of schools, students and staff. Many contain photographs.

US School Catalogues (1765-1935)

A variety of publications listing names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with US universities, seminaries and theological institutes, normal schools, medical schools, academies, military schools, etc. Records include catalogues, obituary records and necrologies, class histories, speeches and addresses, commencement exercises, class reports, registers, prospectus, circulars, proceedings, annual reports, magazines and other documents.

High School Student Lists (1821-1923)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated primarily with preparatory and similar schools, including academies, high schools, seminaries, reform schools, institutes, industrial schools, military academies, dance schools, grammar schools, Latin schools and others. Searchable by an index of around 650,000 names.

Florida Occupation & Business Records

Confederate Citizens File (1861-1865)

An index to and images of hundreds-of-thousands of documents relating to goods furnished or services rendered the Confederate government by private individuals or business firms.

US Crew Lists and Manifests (1890-1963)

Digital images of crew lists for ships arriving in Maine, Washington, Massachusetts, Georgia, South Carolina, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, Wisconsin, Alaska, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, California, Georgia and Puerto Rico.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

Key West Admiralty Records (1829-1911)

These records cover prize, ransom, and salvage cases; suits to establish title to a ship independent of possession of the ship; possessory actions to recover ships; and a variety of maritime contracts and torts.

US Southeast Region Farm Ownership Case Files (1938-1946)

This database contains an index of names and other details extracted from agricultural loan case files to preserve an official record of the loans.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Florida

Colonial Families in the Southern States (1600-1775)

Combining narrative history with genealogy, this work lists valuable information for over sixty family groupings and thousands of individuals. Entries often include the location in England where the family came from, land grants, lines of descent, and often occupation.

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (1620-1938)

Pedigrees of women who were descendants of one or more servicemen of The American Revolutionary War. Contains 100,000s of names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Families in the US (1600-1920)

Genealogical charts, and coats of arms where appropriate, of prominent families in America's early history.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Florida Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

History of England Society & Government (56 BC-1867)

A lengthy history of England detailing the country's connection to the U.S.A. Includes much detail on royalty, nobility and other historical figures of note.

Florida Church Records

US Quaker Meeting Records (1681-1935)

An index to and digital images of documents recording almost 6 million names. They include registers of births, marriages and deaths; lists of members; movement of members between congregations; records of discipline; disownment; burials and more.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Index to Quaker Records (1680-1940)

An index to close to 900,000 names occurring in Quaker meeting records. These cover items such as discipline, admittance, movement between meetings, some vital events and much more.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US & Canada Quaker Annual Reports (1808-1930)

Digital images of records from the highest bodies in the Quaker church. The minutes contain names of representatives and committee members, memorials and obituary notices, along with business news.

Biographical Directories Covering Florida

Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans (1904)

A ten volume work containing close to 20,000 biographies of notable Americans.

American Biographical Library (1774-1949)

Over 75,000 biographies covering congressmen, women, military and other notable individuals.

Biography & Genealogy Master Index (1600-Present)

An index to millions of biographies, listing names, dates of birth and death and the biography's source publication.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

American Genealogical-Biographical Index (1450-Present)

This database contains millions of records of people whose names have appeared in printed genealogical records and family histories.

Florida Maps

US Enumeration District Maps & Descriptions (1940)

Maps recording districts used to allot areas in which census takers would operate. Searchable by street name and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Civil War Maps (1861-1865)

A collection of around 2,000 reconnaissance, sketch, and theater-of-war maps.

Florida Reference Works

Periodical Source Index (1825-Present)

An index to over 2.7 million articles published in various genealogical, historical and ethnographic publications.

US Free Genealogical Data Search Engine (1513-Present)

A search engine that covers over 2.5 million pages of vital records, family trees, biographies and other genealogical resources.

A Guide to the NARA Field Branches (1988)

Details of record collections held by numerous sub-branches of The National Archives.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

US Family Historian's Address Book (1997)

A directory of bodies that hold important collections of genealogical and historical records, ordered by state. As it was published in 1997, some contact details may be out of date, but the organizations' names can be used to locate updated information.

Historical Description

FLORIDA. The credit of having discovered this peninsula, now the southernmost of the United States, is usually awarded to Juan Ponce de Leon, from Hispaniola, who explored it, to some extent, in 1512 and 1516, and gave to it the name which it still bears. The coast, however, had been visited, in 1497, by Sebastian Cabot, from England; but its interior was not then examined. In 1539, an expedition from Cuba, commanded by Hernando de Soto, who had served with Pizarro, made a descent upon, and overran the country. In 1562, a body of French settlers, under Francis Ribault, endeavored to form a civilized colony; but they were shortly assailed by the Spaniards, and, after several conflicts, nearly exterminated. The conquerors were afterwards obliged to contend frequently with the English colonists of Georgia and South Carolina; but they maintained possession, though often attacked by both French and English forces, until 1763, the date of its cession to Great Britain. Liberal offers were immediately made to settlers from abroad; and in consequence, numerous reputable citizens from the British settlements, and even a body of some 1500 people from the shores of the Mediterranean, were induced to emigrate. A portion of the territory, known as West Florida, was conquered by the Spanish governor of Louisiana in 1781; and the whole was surrendered to Spain by the treaty of Paris, in 1783. In 1819, the latter power transferred the entire country, composing East and West Florida, to the United States, as remuneration for trespasses on American commerce. It was occupied by the authorities of the latter in 1820, and forthwith established as one of the territorial members of the American republic. It was erected into an independent state in 1845.

Boundaries and Extent

Florida is bounded north by Georgia and Alabama, east by the Atlantic Ocean, south by the Gulf of Mexico, west by the same, and by a small portion of Alabama. It is situated between latitudes 25° and 31° north; and extends from 80° west longitude to 87° 35'; being 385 miles in length, with a breadth varying from 50 to 250 miles, and containing 59,268 square miles.

Government. The people of Florida formed a constitution in 1839, six years prior to the admission of the state into the Union. The governor is elected for four years; but is not eligible for two terms consecutively. The acting executive officer, in case of vacancy, is, first, the president of the Senate, and next, the speaker of the House of Representatives. Senators are elected for two years, and representatives for one year; the latter not to exceed sixty in number. Clergymen, bank officers, and duellists are excluded from participation in the civil government. The right of suffrage is enjoyed by all free white males, of lawful age, after two years’ residence. Laws for the emancipation of slaves, or for the prevention of their introduction into the state, are prohibited. The sessions of the legislature are held biennially.

Judiciary

The state is divided into four circuits, each having a judge and a solicitor. They are chosen by the legislature, and have original common law jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters. The Supreme Court consists of the circuit judges, and has appellate jurisdiction only. The attorney general is elected by both houses of the legislature. The judges, in sessions of the Supreme Court, preside in their respective circuits.

Education

No extensive system of common school education has yet been established. There are several academical institutions, and a number of grammar and primary schools, but no college in the state.

Finances

The revenue of the state is about sufficient to meet its expenditures. For information concerning the public debt, &c., see Statistical Tables.

Surface and Soil

-Florida exhibits no very prominent elevations, the surface being generally level, and towards the south, especially, singularly broken into alternate tracts of meadow lands, forest-crowned knolls, and grassy lagoons. The celebrated “everglades" are situated in this quarter of the country, and extend northerly nearly 200 miles from the southern extremity. Much of the territory is covered with pine timber; although the live-oak, and other descriptions of hard wood, grow in abundance on the river banks. The quality of the soil is in many parts exceedingly rich. The “pine barrens,” so called, are considered, however, as scarcely worth cultivating. The peculiarly open condition of the forests admits of the spontaneous and luxuriant growth of innumerable varieties of herbage and flowers, many of which are of the most beautiful description, and flourish in great profusion throughout all seasons of the year. The land, in nearly all parts of the state, is adapted to the culture of cotton, sugar, corn, rice, tobacco, and valuable fruits; and there is much grazing land even among the pine barrens, which are also finely irrigated by numerous streams of pure water.

Rivers

On the eastern coast, the St. John’s is the principal stream. It takes its rise at a distance of not more than 150 miles from the sea, in a straight line; though, from its meandering course, it probably flows more than twice that distance, varying in width from less than one to about five miles. The St. Mary’s, which rises in Georgia, also empties into the Atlantic. The mouths of these rivers afford good harbors. On the western coast are numerous bays and inlets, furnishing safe shelter and anchorage for coasting craft. A large number of rivers enter the Gulf of Mexico from the western side of the peninsula, the chief of which is the Appalachicola.

Internal Improvements

Several railroads have been constructed, and others are still contemplated. The most important already completed are, one between Tallahassee and St. Mark’s, 22 miles; and another of 30 miles in length, extending from St. Joseph to Iola. A canal, entirely across the isthmus, has for many years been a subject of earnest consideration and active discussion. Such a work, it is universally conceded, would supply vast facilities to the commerce between Atlantic ports of the United States and the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and be the means of avoiding immense losses, now annually incurred by vessels forced to encounter the hazardous navigation beyond the southern point of Florida.

Manufactures. Beyond the fabrication of articles for domestic use, but little capital is employed in manufacturing operations. The exports from the state consist principally of raw materials.

Indians

The territory, for some years subsequent to its cession to the United States, was much disturbed by contests with various Indian tribes. Among these, the Seminoles gave much trouble to the general government, and, on the question of their removal, with other natives, to the lands provided for them, were found to be most impracticable. They were, nowever, subdued, and a large portion of the tribe have retired to the far preferable country assigned them beyond the Mississippi.

Population

There was an increase of population, during the ten years prior to the census of 1840, of nearly sixty per cent. Of the inhabitants at that date, nearly one half were slaves. The last census (1850) exhibits the same ratio of increase, but a somewhat smaller proportion of slaves.

Climate

Except in the immediate vicinity of some of the large swamps, the interior of Florida, and the sea-coast generally, may be considered extremely favorable to health. Indeed, many parts of the state are much resorted to by invalids from northern localities, especially by persons subject to pulmonary affections, or laboring under certain chronic maladies. A mild and very uniform temperature prevails throughout the different seasons; the heat of summer rarely raising the mercury above 90°, or the cold of winter depressing it below freezing point. Epidemics, particularly the yellow fever, occasionally visit some of the low and marshy districts. The city of St. Augustine, occupying a remarkably fine geographical position, is widely celebrated for the salubrity of its atmosphere, the genial qualities and effects of which are not exceeded by those of any spot in Southern France or Italy.

Religion

Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Roman Catholics constitute the principal religious denominations. Neither sect is very numerous.

Curiosities

Among the natural objects of curiosity may be mentioned the existence and frequent formation of beautiful rivulets, the pellucid waters of which, after coursing through many devious curves for a long distance, suddenly disappear in some dark abyss, and all traces of their farther wanderings are lost to human eyes. On the other hand, vast volumes of water are often seen to emerge from the depths of the earth, at once forming navigable rivers, teeming with fish, turtles, alligators, &c. Both these phenomena are said to be common in some parts of the state, and in all probability are mutually connected by subterranean channels.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States (1854) by Thomas Baldwin

Most Common Surnames in Florida

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith163,1441:1275.65%1
2Williams119,0381:1746.20%3
3Johnson103,3691:2004.71%2
4Rodriguez101,9201:20311.93%14
5Brown99,1111:2095.58%4
6Jones89,2211:2325.37%5
7Gonzalez79,6171:26012.79%29
8Davis76,7991:2695.48%6
9Miller71,7081:2885.27%7
10Perez69,5211:29813.04%40
11Hernandez62,1361:3338.73%23
12Martinez56,5811:3667.02%19
13Thomas55,7001:3716.39%12
14Lopez53,7791:3858.10%24
15Wilson50,9241:4065.23%9
16Anderson46,4351:4454.58%8
17Jackson45,5801:4545.48%16
18Diaz45,4671:45515.53%85
19Taylor45,0881:4595.03%11
20Martin44,1521:4685.39%17
21Moore42,4361:4874.93%13
22White42,0601:4925.18%18
23Thompson39,6191:5225.02%20
24Fernandez39,1261:52922.37%200
25Harris38,8061:5335.04%21
26Sanchez38,0511:5448.05%44
27Rivera37,6701:54911.06%68
28Clark36,8811:5615.12%22
29Hall36,7261:5635.93%30
30Robinson36,5741:5665.82%27
31Lewis36,4151:5685.64%25
32Walker34,7791:5955.48%26
33Lee34,2431:6044.09%15
34Allen32,3831:6395.19%28
35Roberts31,4761:6576.65%43
36Young31,2501:6625.21%31
37Green30,9951:6675.77%37
38King30,3111:6825.40%32
39Scott30,2081:6855.63%38
40Torres29,9331:6918.36%65
41Adams29,0821:7115.24%34
42Baker28,9171:7155.36%36
43Campbell28,6961:7215.82%41
44Wright28,4611:7275.12%33
45Alvarez27,7931:74414.49%167
46Gomez27,0451:7659.20%82
47Hill26,6161:7774.90%35
48Cruz25,9651:7979.32%93
49Nelson25,8021:8024.81%39
50Carter25,0331:8265.15%42
51Mitchell24,8631:8325.45%45
52Edwards24,0991:8585.67%49
53Morales23,6371:8759.52%112
54Ramirez23,2001:8915.62%52
55Collins22,7471:9095.43%50
56Evans22,4071:9234.94%46
57Stewart21,9691:9415.46%54
58Phillips21,6091:9574.92%47
59Kelly21,5341:9606.54%72
60Turner21,3121:9704.97%48
61Morris20,8911:9905.21%55
62Bell20,6661:1,0015.72%62
63Parker20,6221:1,0034.94%51
64Ramos20,6141:1,0039.02%125
65Rogers20,5121:1,0085.32%57
66Murphy20,2021:1,0245.25%58
67Morgan20,1991:1,0245.55%60
68Bennett20,1181:1,0286.19%74
69Ortiz20,0531:1,0318.12%113
70Reyes20,0201:1,0337.27%96
71Cooper19,7291:1,0485.42%61
72Cook18,9201:1,0934.78%56
73Watson18,9041:1,0945.92%76
74Ruiz18,6441:1,1098.89%141
75Ward18,4901:1,1195.60%71
76Howard18,2371:1,1345.48%70
77Brooks17,2201:1,2015.26%73
78Powell17,0921:1,2106.22%97
79Wood17,0031:1,2165.06%69
80Simmons16,8561:1,2276.61%106
81Ross16,8051:1,2315.69%80
82Suarez16,3511:1,26526.32%682
83Richardson16,3021:1,2695.20%77
84Butler16,1871:1,2785.72%88
85Cox16,1431:1,2814.70%67
86Jenkins16,1011:1,2855.87%100
87Sullivan16,0691:1,2875.48%83
88Cohen16,0531:1,28811.07%247
89Gray15,8921:1,3014.95%75
90Gordon15,8901:1,3027.39%136
91Peterson15,8541:1,3054.34%59
92Joseph15,7551:1,31314.43%344
93Griffin15,6831:1,3196.20%111
94Reed15,4911:1,3354.46%66
95Graham15,4341:1,3405.97%103
96Jimenez15,3201:1,3508.91%204
97Gutierrez15,1031:1,3696.61%126
98Murray15,0541:1,3746.52%124
99Hughes15,0161:1,3774.93%78
100Hamilton14,9261:1,3865.74%102
101Russell14,7631:1,4015.33%95
102Jordan14,6541:1,4115.77%108
103Myers14,5721:1,4194.97%84
104Santiago14,5041:1,42613.79%362
105Castillo14,4331:1,4337.20%155
106Henderson14,4161:1,4355.26%99
107Barnes14,3741:1,4395.12%89
108Price14,3351:1,4434.91%86
109Fisher14,2261:1,4545.13%94
110Nguyen14,1921:1,4573.52%53
111Delgado14,1881:1,45812.00%305
112Sanders14,0301:1,4745.01%90
113Foster13,9861:1,4794.76%81
114Castro13,9741:1,4808.64%223
115Patel13,7071:1,5095.93%123
116Henry13,6551:1,5156.49%138
117McDonald13,6311:1,5175.81%122
118Reynolds13,5021:1,5325.28%105
119Vazquez13,4821:1,53414.88%437
120Alexander13,4761:1,5355.14%101
121Ellis13,4251:1,5415.49%115
122Perry13,3771:1,5464.87%98
123Medina13,2501:1,5617.99%218
124Coleman13,2441:1,5624.74%92
125Wallace13,0191:1,5895.13%110
126Patterson12,9111:1,6025.07%107
127Long12,8081:1,6154.47%87
128Flores12,7901:1,6173.56%63
129Gibson12,7761:1,6195.33%117
130Stevens12,7721:1,6195.40%119
131Dixon12,7021:1,6286.20%148
132Grant12,6371:1,6376.98%183
133Kennedy12,6361:1,6375.56%129
134West12,6331:1,6374.93%104
135Daniels12,5421:1,6496.80%179
136Marshall12,3851:1,6705.44%128
137Ford12,3481:1,6755.24%121
138Mills12,2201:1,6936.42%171
139Cole12,1391:1,7044.78%109
140Stephens12,1001:1,7096.60%180
141Shaw11,9301:1,7345.71%143
142Vega11,8341:1,74811.32%365
143Vargas11,8271:1,7498.14%246
144Owens11,7231:1,7645.15%127
145Crawford11,6821:1,7705.42%134
146Herrera11,5961:1,7847.03%220
147Andrews11,5921:1,7846.50%190
148Silva11,5151:1,7967.47%232
149Mendez11,5061:1,7989.19%290
150Acosta11,4841:1,80112.07%413
151Stone11,3661:1,8205.72%157
152Cabrera11,3401:1,82416.06%581
153Hart11,2661:1,8366.27%186
154Greene11,1931:1,8486.64%210
155Valdes11,1421:1,85652.68%2,171
156Hunter11,1101:1,8625.61%158
156Romero11,1101:1,8626.13%181
158Rose11,0581:1,8705.52%156
159Wells11,0311:1,8754.96%130
160Burns10,9661:1,8864.95%131
161Freeman10,9521:1,8885.06%133
162Holmes10,8761:1,9025.67%168
163Simpson10,8311:1,9105.32%149
164Snyder10,8271:1,9105.20%144
165Ferguson10,7681:1,9215.60%166
166Palmer10,7631:1,9225.44%159
167Richards10,7011:1,9336.43%217
168Soto10,6461:1,9438.50%289
169Black10,6371:1,9445.18%145
170Pierre10,6321:1,94530.57%1,270
171Nunez10,6271:1,94610.36%377
172Porter10,5991:1,9515.26%153
173Leon10,5661:1,95713.93%531
174Colon10,5151:1,96716.86%677
175Santos10,3921:1,9909.25%329
176Fox10,3311:2,0025.04%147
177Knight10,3041:2,0076.01%206
178Hicks10,2491:2,0185.21%161
179Ryan10,2441:2,0195.37%170
180Carroll10,2321:2,0215.65%184
181Pena10,1941:2,0298.03%285
182Figueroa10,1421:2,03911.76%467
183Burke10,1231:2,0436.04%214
183Hunt10,1231:2,0435.02%152
185Lane10,0241:2,0635.93%208
186Bradley10,0101:2,0665.58%188
187Tucker9,9871:2,0714.76%140
188Rojas9,8731:2,09511.17%453
189Gardner9,8701:2,0965.23%173
190Moreno9,8681:2,0965.75%205
191Wagner9,8661:2,0964.70%139
192Webb9,8311:2,1044.64%137
193Jacobs9,8081:2,1096.20%228
194Arnold9,8031:2,1105.23%175
195Reid9,7581:2,1206.82%252
196Hudson9,7481:2,1225.64%203
197Dunn9,7121:2,1305.11%172
198Nichols9,6901:2,1345.21%177
199Hoffman9,6881:2,1355.25%178
200Mason9,6811:2,1364.79%151
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Williams6,1531:441.92%4
2Johnson4,3471:621.14%2
3Smith3,4551:780.55%1
4Jones3,1891:851.00%5
5Brown2,8741:940.81%3
6Davis2,2751:1180.90%7
7Jackson2,0891:1291.42%14
8Thomas1,9231:1401.31%16
9Robinson1,6551:1631.60%30
10Wilson1,5541:1730.83%8
11Green1,5491:1741.27%19
12Roberts1,5301:1761.91%39
13Hall1,3781:1961.14%20
14White1,3351:2020.83%11
15Taylor1,2951:2080.76%9
16Walker1,2321:2191.05%23
17Thompson1,2241:2200.78%13
18Anderson1,1531:2340.79%17
19Miller1,0611:2540.38%6
20Lee1,0481:2571.27%35
21Lewis1,0261:2630.86%22
22Harris9911:2720.77%18
23Allen9551:2820.79%21
24Baker8891:3030.80%25
25Edwards8661:3111.32%52
25Moore8661:3110.54%12
27Simmons8641:3122.23%123
28Washington8171:3302.14%126
29Clark8031:3360.48%10
30Adams8011:3370.82%31
31Bell7881:3421.18%51
32Young7761:3470.67%24
33Scott7511:3590.72%29
34Jenkins7371:3661.66%99
35Martin7301:3690.50%15
36King7241:3720.68%27
37Hill7231:3730.68%28
38Carter7131:3780.87%36
39Bryant7091:3802.03%147
40Turner6971:3870.88%40
41Wright6751:3990.63%26
42Stephens6741:4002.16%165
43Long6471:4171.08%58
44Collins6451:4180.85%41
45James6351:4251.28%78
46Richardson6281:4291.07%64
47Campbell5981:4510.69%34
48Mitchell5791:4660.91%54
49Brooks5681:4751.04%68
50Butler5521:4881.05%71
50Watson5521:4880.93%63
52Nelson5501:4900.79%47
53Henderson5411:4981.08%77
54Stewart5341:5050.75%45
55Harrison5181:5201.18%100
56Cooper5161:5220.86%60
57Hawkins5141:5241.52%153
58Parker5031:5360.63%37
59Hunter4981:5411.22%113
60Ward4971:5420.74%50
61Morgan4931:5470.77%53
62Evans4891:5510.66%43
63Griffin4881:5521.09%98
64Sanders4781:5641.12%108
65Bryan4771:5653.10%386
66Johns4661:5784.14%555
67Cook4591:5870.52%33
68Coleman4561:5910.99%93
69Ellis4491:6000.99%94
70Howard4461:6040.72%56
71Hicks4421:6101.47%168
72Tucker4401:6131.14%124
73Hart4361:6181.06%112
74Alexander4301:6271.01%105
75Curry4191:6432.46%336
76Knight4181:6451.49%185
77Hamilton3981:6770.81%80
78Daniels3941:6841.98%271
78Barnes3941:6840.83%83
80Henry3831:7040.90%107
81Perry3811:7080.82%87
82Mills3791:7111.04%138
83Kelly3661:7370.50%44
84Bailey3651:7390.66%66
84Russell3651:7390.78%86
86Graham3611:7470.78%88
87Jordan3591:7511.07%156
88Floyd3531:7642.90%511
89Porter3491:7720.77%95
90McDonald3481:7750.67%72
91Cox3441:7840.57%57
92Wells3391:7950.74%92
92Bennett3391:7950.64%70
94Roberson3371:8002.00%341
94Robertson3371:8000.94%142
96Wood3361:8020.42%38
97Powell3351:8050.79%106
98Wiggins3331:8103.41%646
99Grant3301:8171.04%161
99Phillips3301:8170.55%59
101Patterson3221:8370.64%75
101Howell3221:8371.40%234
103Peterson3191:8450.65%79
103Owens3191:8450.92%150
105Reed3161:8530.42%42
105Willis3161:8531.13%188
107Morris3141:8580.45%46
108Rogers3091:8720.49%55
109Strickland2981:9052.97%630
109Shaw2981:9050.69%103
111Hays2971:9081.20%212
112Foster2931:9200.49%62
113Gibson2881:9360.70%111
114Russ2841:9498.36%1,890
114Dickson2841:9492.04%433
116Bird2801:9631.48%290
117Mathews2771:9730.94%171
118Austin2751:9800.97%182
119Bradley2741:9840.87%162
120Parish2711:9953.43%796
121Dixon2691:1,0021.03%193
121Saunders2691:1,0021.57%333
123Ross2671:1,0100.53%76
124Rivers2651:1,0173.79%912
125Stevens2641:1,0210.57%85
126Cobb2621:1,0291.51%327
127Ford2611:1,0330.58%96
128Douglass2601:1,0371.76%406
129Horn2571:1,0491.55%347
130Mitchel2561:1,0531.26%262
130Cason2561:1,05310.34%2,564
132Woods2541:1,0610.69%134
132Harvey2541:1,0611.00%203
134Sapp2531:1,0656.21%1,591
135Crews2511:1,0746.53%1,683
136Holmes2491:1,0830.67%132
136Simms2491:1,0833.03%771
138Black2411:1,1190.62%121
139Gardner2381:1,1330.65%136
140Hudson2371:1,1370.85%190
141Waters2361:1,1421.31%312
142Register2341:1,15218.30%4,635
142Lowe2341:1,1521.53%389
144Fisher2331:1,1570.35%49
145Berry2311:1,1670.63%135
146Arnold2291:1,1770.63%140
147Livingston2281:1,1822.52%693
147Crawford2281:1,1820.57%117
149Hughes2271:1,1880.49%89
150Mason2251:1,1980.52%101
151Warren2241:1,2030.62%143
152William2231:1,2091.92%533
152Gray2231:1,2090.38%61
152McCall2231:1,2092.38%669
155McDaniel2221:1,2141.33%344
156Tillman2191:1,2315.46%1,622
157Hampton2181:1,2371.79%509
158Webb2161:1,2480.60%141
159Yates2151:1,2541.72%497
160Weeks2141:1,2601.72%499
160Gaines2141:1,2602.71%798
160Love2141:1,2601.20%317
160Murphy2141:1,2600.23%32
160West2141:1,2600.46%90
165Wheeler2131:1,2660.54%120
166Fields2121:1,2721.05%264
166Lanier2121:1,2726.67%2,016
168Fleming2101:1,2841.05%266
168Hodge2101:1,2841.83%542
168Murray2101:1,2840.55%128
171Wallace2091:1,2900.47%97
171Bellamy2091:1,29011.05%3,268
173Wynn2081:1,2964.23%1,329
174Fletcher2061:1,3091.01%257
174Franklin2061:1,3090.86%220
174Keen2061:1,3094.03%1,263
177Freeman2051:1,3150.59%148
177Price2051:1,3150.37%67
177Blake2051:1,3151.02%268
180Houston2041:1,3211.81%556
180Simpson2041:1,3210.53%127
180Holland2041:1,3210.80%202
183Morrison2021:1,3340.70%174
183Perkins2021:1,3340.55%139
183Godwin2021:1,3345.41%1,724
186Whidden2011:1,34130.00%7,993
186Marshall2011:1,3410.52%125
188Banks2001:1,3480.95%248
189Armstrong1991:1,3550.53%129
190Padgett1981:1,3617.39%2,379
190Pinder1981:1,36122.68%6,399
192Knowles1971:1,3682.98%969
192Raulerson1971:1,36881.40%17,911
194Carroll1961:1,3750.65%169
194Bishop1961:1,3750.70%184
196McCleod1951:1,3823.50%1,148
197Pierce1931:1,3970.52%133
197Hogan1931:1,3970.93%253
199Richards1901:1,4190.59%160
200Glover1881:1,4341.31%416