Daytona Beach City Florida genealogy records cover more than 150 years of family history in Volusia County. They include birth, death, marriage, land, court, church, cemetery, and military files.
They also include newspapers, census rolls, immigration lists, and naturalization papers. Researchers can use these records to trace parents, siblings, cousins, and earlier generations. Most files are open to the public under Florida open records law. Many files are also online through state, county, and national archives. This page lists the best places to search, what you can find in each set, and how to build a strong family tree from Daytona Beach roots.
Volusia County Courthouse and Records
Daytona Beach sits inside Volusia County. The county courthouse in DeLand keeps most local records. These cover marriage, probate, property, civil court, and criminal cases. The records start in 1854, the year Volusia formed from Orange County. Anyone can visit the courthouse to look at files. Some indexes are online through the clerk’s website. Older files sit on microfilm at the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee.
Marriage Records at Volusia County
Marriage records are the most used genealogy files at the Volusia County Courthouse. Each license names the bride, the groom, their ages, and where they were born. Parents are listed on many older licenses. These details help link people to other records. Marriage files start in 1854 and run to the present day. Older files are open to all. More recent files may have privacy limits for living spouses.
Probate Records and Estate Files
Probate files open when a person dies owning property. The court names heirs, lists children, and divides the estate. Wills, inventories, and final accounts sit in the file. These papers name daughters, sons, siblings, and grandchildren. They often show where people lived and what they owned. Probate files for Volusia County are at the courthouse in DeLand. Older files are also on microfilm at the State Archives.
Property Deeds and Land Records
Land deeds track who owned each piece of property over time. Early Volusia deeds show pioneer families buying lots in Daytona Beach. Deeds name buyers, sellers, and their spouses. They show where the land sat, how much it cost, and the date of the sale. A chain of deeds can follow one family for many years. These records are at the county recorder office in DeLand. Indexes cover grants from the 1840s to today.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Vital Records
Florida birth, death, and marriage records sit in two places. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps certified copies. The State Archives of Florida keeps older indexes and image scans. Records from 1917 to the present are state certified. Records from 1877 to 1917 are mostly open as images. Records before 1877 may sit inside county files.
Florida Statewide Death Index
The Florida Statewide Death Index covers deaths from 1877 to 1939. It lists the name of the person, the date of death, the county of death, and the certificate number. Many entries also give the race, age, and place of birth. The index helps researchers find the full death certificate at the State Archives. Death certificates often name parents, the spouse, and the burial site.
Florida Birth Certificates and Indexes
Florida started statewide birth registration in 1917. Earlier births may appear in church, census, or family Bible records. The Florida Birth Index covers 1900 to 1920 for some counties. Volusia County births from 1917 forward are open for ordering through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Older birth records may appear in delayed registration files.
Florida Marriage License Records
Marriage licenses from Florida counties sit at the county courthouse. Volusia County marriage licenses start in 1854. Statewide indexes cover many counties from 1927 to the present. The index shows the names of both spouses and the license volume and page number. Researchers can order a copy of the full license from the Volusia Clerk of Courts.
Census Records for Daytona Beach Families
U.S. federal census records cover every household in the country. They list names, ages, birthplaces, and family ties. They also show occupation, home ownership, and military service. Census records are a key source for anyone tracing Daytona Beach ancestors.
Federal Census Records 1830-1950
Florida appears in the federal census starting in 1830. East Florida and West Florida are listed separately before statehood in 1845. Volusia County families appear from 1850 forward. The 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 censuses are open to the public. The 1950 census opened for public use in 2022. All censuses from 1790 to 1950 sit on FamilySearch, Ancestry, and MyHeritage.
1940 Census Community Maps
The 1940 census had printed enumeration district maps. These maps show city streets, rural roads, and named neighborhoods. Daytona Beach had several districts. Researchers can match an address to the right district. The maps sit on the National Archives website. They help find which page of the census lists a known address.
Daytona Beach Historical Newspapers
Old newspapers list births, deaths, marriages, and community events. They also name visitors, business owners, and tourists. Daytona Beach newspapers go back to the 1880s. Many papers sit on microfilm at the Volusia County Library. Scanned papers sit at the Florida Digital Newspaper Library.
News-Journal Newspaper Archives
The Daytona Beach News-Journal started in 1903 as the Evening News. It merged with the Morning Journal over time. Issues from 1903 forward are on microfilm at the main library. Microfilm can be read on library scanners. Staff can help visitors find an obituary, a wedding note, or a society page story. Many obituaries name parents, siblings, and burial sites.
Florida Digital Newspaper Library
The Florida Digital Newspaper Library sits at the University of Florida in Gainesville. It has scanned issues from many Florida papers. Volusia County titles on the site include the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the DeLand Sun, and the New Smyrna Daily News. The library is free to search. Pages can be viewed and saved from home.
Cemetery and Funeral Records in Volusia County
Cemetery records give the date of death, age, and birth date for each person. They may list a spouse, a military rank, or a fraternal group. Funeral home records give the same data and more. Both help prove family ties.
Major Daytona Beach Cemeteries
Daytona Beach has several public and private cemeteries. Each holds gravestones, burial registers, and plot maps. Together they cover most families who lived in the city from the 1870s forward.
- Daytona Memorial Park, 1420 Bellevue Avenue
- Woodlawn Cemetery, 1500 Ridgewood Avenue
- Mount Sinai Cemetery, 1620 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
- Shady Rest Cemetery, 700 Shady Rest Drive
- Eslinger Cemetery, LPGA Boulevard area
Find A Grave and BillionGraves
Find A Grave and BillionGraves host millions of gravestone photos. Volunteers add names from Volusia County cemeteries. Each entry shows the birth date, death date, and burial place. Photos show the full gravestone and any family markers. Researchers can search these sites for free. They can also request a photo of a marker that has not yet been posted.
Church and Religious Records
Church records often predate civil records. They list baptisms, marriages, and burials. They name parents, godparents, and witnesses. Many church books from Volusia County have been microfilmed and placed online.
Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic Records
Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic churches have served Daytona Beach since the 1870s. Their books sit at the Florida State Archives. Baptist and Methodist session records name members and pastors. Catholic parish registers list baptisms, first communions, marriages, and funerals. Some churches also have history books, member directories, and anniversary booklets.
Military Records for Daytona Beach Veterans
Military records show service dates, units, and battles. They also list the soldier’s age, height, and home address. Pension files name the wife and children. These papers help prove family ties across generations.
Civil War and Spanish-American War
Florida seceded from the Union in 1861. Many Volusia County men served in Confederate units. Their service records sit at the National Archives. Confederate pension application files sit at the State Archives of Florida. These files name the soldier, the spouse, and minor children. Spanish-American War records from 1898 sit at the National Archives too.
World War I and World War II Records
World War I draft registration cards cover men born between 1872 and 1900. Each card lists a full name, birth date, home address, and next of kin. World War II draft cards cover men born between 1877 and 1927. Draft cards for Volusia County are on FamilySearch and Ancestry. Military service files for both wars sit at the National Archives in St. Louis.
African American Genealogy in Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach had a large African American community by 1900. Many worked in hotels, on the railroad, and in service trades. Records for Black families sit in the same courthouses and archives as for white families. Some records sit in special sets, such as the Freedmen’s Bureau records and slave-era documents.
Freedmen Records and Slave Era Documents
The Freedmen’s Bureau records cover 1865 to 1872. They name former slaves, their employers, and their family ties. These records sit on FamilySearch. Slave era documents, such as bills of sale and estate inventories, sit at the State Archives of Florida. Many list the names of enslaved people and their owners. Together these records help trace Black families back to the 1850s and earlier.
Black Newspaper Archives
The Daytona Beach area had Black newspapers starting in the 1920s. Titles include the Daytona Beach Challenger and the Florida Sentinel. These papers cover churches, schools, businesses, and family events. Some issues sit on microfilm at the State Library of Florida. The Accessible Archives database hosts scanned Black newspapers from other Florida cities.
Online Databases and Digital Archives
Online databases let researchers search millions of records from home. Some are free. Some need a paid plan. All help speed up the search for Daytona Beach ancestors.
FamilySearch Florida Collections
FamilySearch.org is free to use. The Florida collections include Volusia County marriages, probate files, and church records. The site also hosts the Florida Statewide Death Index, Florida Confederate pension files, and many newspaper scans. Anyone can create a free account to save records to a personal family tree.
Ancestry.com Florida Records
Ancestry.com is a paid site. It has the largest collection of U.S. census images, immigration lists, and military records. Florida titles on Ancestry include the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Florida marriage indexes, and Florida death indexes. A library edition sits at the Volusia County Library for free use inside the building.
Florida Memory Digital Archives
Florida Memory is a free site run by the State Library and Archives. It holds photos, maps, manuscripts, and oral histories. Volusia County materials include images of early Daytona Beach streets, hotels, and beaches. The site also holds Spanish land grant records from the colonial era. Researchers can view, save, and print these items.
Local Libraries and Family History Centers
Local libraries offer free access to paid genealogy sites. They also hold local history books, scrapbooks, and city directories. Staff can guide visitors to the right set.
Volusia County Public Library Genealogy Room
The Volusia County Public Library in Daytona Beach has a strong local history set. The address is 105 E. Magnolia Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. The phone number is (386) 257-6036. The room has old maps, city directories, school yearbooks, and church booklets. Staff can pull microfilm from storage.
Daytona Beach Regional Library
The Daytona Beach Regional Library sits at 105 East Magnolia Avenue. It offers free use of Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest. The library has Wi-Fi, scanners, and microfilm readers. Visitors can save images to a USB drive for a small fee.
LDS Family History Center
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints runs family history centers. The Daytona Beach center helps visitors use FamilySearch, microfilm, and church records. Staff volunteers can give free one-on-one help. The center is open by appointment during the week.
Florida State Archives and Tallahassee Resources
The State Archives of Florida sits in Tallahassee. It holds the largest set of Florida state records. The archives include land grants, territorial papers, military rolls, and vital record indexes. Volusia County files sit in many of these sets.
Territorial Records and Spanish Colonial Era
Spain ruled Florida from 1513 to 1763 and again from 1783 to 1821. British rule lasted from 1763 to 1783. Records from these eras sit at the State Archives. They include land grants, mission records, and church registers. Researchers can view them on microfilm or in digital scans.
Confederate Pension Application Files
Florida paid pensions to Confederate veterans and their widows after 1885. Application files sit at the State Archives. Each file gives the soldier’s name, unit, service dates, and family ties. Widows’ files give the marriage date and the names of minor children. These files help trace southern families back to the 1860s.
Florida Historical Societies and Genealogical Groups
Genealogical societies offer classes, newsletters, and record lookups. Members share research tips and local contacts. Joining a group can speed up a hard search.
Genealogical Society of Florida
The Genealogical Society of Florida was formed in 1958. It serves researchers across the state. The group hosts webinars, a quarterly journal, and an annual conference. Members can ask record lookups at the State Archives.
Volusia County Genealogical Society
The Volusia County Genealogical Society meets in DeLand. It runs a library with county-specific files. The group publishes cemetery surveys, Bible records, and family histories. Members can order lookups from the county courthouse.
Research Plan for Daytona Beach Ancestors
A clear research plan saves time. Start with home sources, then move to records that cover a wide area, then move to local repositories. Each step adds new facts to the family tree.
Start With Home Sources
Home sources include birth certificates, marriage records, death certificates, family Bibles, photos, and scrapbooks. These items name parents, siblings, and places. Write down every name, date, and place on a family group sheet. Share notes with older relatives. Family letters often give maiden names, old addresses, and family stories.
Build Up Through Vital Records
Vital records give exact dates and places. They also name parents. Order birth, marriage, and death certificates for each known ancestor. Use the Statewide Death Index, the Florida Birth Index, and the Volusia County marriage indexes. These tools point to the full certificate at the State Archives or the county clerk.
Use Local Repositories Last
Local libraries, courthouses, and archives hold files you cannot find online. Visit the Volusia County Library, the courthouse in DeLand, and the State Archives in Tallahassee. Bring a photo ID and a pencil. Write down each new fact on the family group sheet. Save images to a USB drive. Share results with other family members.
Contact Information and Visiting Hours
The main Volusia County Courthouse sits at 101 North Alabama Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724. Phone (386) 736-5917. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Volusia County Public Library main branch sits at 105 East Magnolia Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. Phone (386) 257-6036. Library hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The State Archives of Florida sits at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Phone (850) 245-6719. Research room hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Researchers often have similar questions when they start a Daytona Beach family search. The answers below cover the most common ones. Each answer points to the right next step. Use them as a quick checklist during your research. If you need more help, contact the Volusia County Library or the State Archives of Florida for a record lookup.
How do I find Daytona Beach birth records from the 1800s?
Florida did not require statewide birth registration until 1917. For births before that date, check church records, family Bibles, census records, and school records. The State Archives of Florida holds many church books for Volusia County. FamilySearch also hosts scanned church registers. These sources often give the birth date, the baptism date, and the parents’ full names. If the family lived in another county before moving to Daytona Beach, check that county’s records too.
Where can I search Volusia County marriage records for free?
Free online indexes for Volusia County marriages sit at FamilySearch.org. The Florida Memory site also hosts some marriage indexes. The full marriage license sits at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand. Visitors can view the original license for a small copy fee. Researchers can also order a certified copy by mail through the Volusia Clerk of Courts.
What newspapers covered Daytona Beach in the early 1900s?
The Daytona Beach News-Journal started in 1903 as the Evening News. Earlier papers include the Daytona Gazette and the Halifax Journal. All of these titles sit on microfilm at the Volusia County Library. The Florida Digital Newspaper Library at the University of Florida hosts scanned issues. The Library of Congress Chronicling America site hosts some early Florida papers too. Old newspapers give obituaries, wedding notes, society pages, and business ads.
How do I trace African American families from Daytona Beach?
Start with Freedmen’s Bureau records from 1865 to 1872. These papers name former slaves and their employers. Check the Florida State Archives for slave-era bills of sale and estate inventories. Use the 1870 and 1880 censuses to find the family after slavery. Check the Black newspaper archive for Daytona Beach papers from the 1920s forward. Order birth, marriage, and death certificates from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Can I view Florida death certificates online?
Florida death certificates from 1877 to 1939 sit as scanned images on FamilySearch. The Florida State Archives also hosts many of these scans. The full name, date of death, county of death, and certificate number sit in the Statewide Death Index. Death certificates often name the parents, the spouse, and the burial site. These names help link a person to other family records.
What military records help trace Daytona Beach veterans?
Federal draft cards for World War I and World War II cover most men born between 1872 and 1927. These cards list the home address and next of kin. Florida Confederate pension application files sit at the State Archives. Spanish-American War service records sit at the National Archives. The Volusia County Library holds local military rosters and unit histories. These sources help prove service and family ties.