Miami Beach City Florida genealogy records help family researchers trace roots in this coastal Florida city. Miami Beach sits on a barrier island in Miami-Dade County.
The city became a town in 1915. It grew fast during the 1920s land boom. Many families from Cuba, the Bahamas, and the U.S. Northeast settled here. Today, public records, state archives, libraries, and online databases hold birth, death, marriage, census, and church papers for people who lived in or passed through this area. This page lists the most useful places to search for Miami Beach family history.
History of Miami Beach for Genealogy Research
Knowing the history of a place helps you pick the right records. Miami Beach changed from mangrove swamps to a busy resort city within a few decades. Each period left behind different types of documents. Old papers may be in county, state, or church hands.
Early Settlement and the 1915 Founding
Before 1910, only a few coconut farmers lived on the island. John Collins and Carl Fisher built the first bridge in 1913. The town of Miami Beach was officially created in 1915. Most deeds and town maps from this period sit in the Miami-Dade County Clerk’s office. Early residents were mostly from the U.S. mainland, the Bahamas, and Key West.
Immigration Waves That Shaped Miami Beach
After World War II, Jewish families from New York and other U.S. cities built hotels and homes here. Cuban families arrived in large numbers after 1959. Haitian and South American families also settled on the island. Each group left records in churches, synagogues, schools, and the census.
Miami-Dade County Vital Records Access
Vital records are birth, death, marriage, and divorce papers. In Florida, the state holds most vital records. The county clerk also keeps marriage licenses and some older files. Rules for who can see these records depend on how old they are.
Birth Certificate Genealogy Requests in Florida
Florida birth records less than 100 years old are closed to the public. Only the person named on the record, a parent, or a legal heir can order a copy. After 100 years, birth records become public. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics handles all state birth certificate orders. You can order through the Florida Health website, by mail, or in person.
Death Certificate Genealogy Requests in Florida
Florida death records less than 50 years old are also restricted. After 50 years, they open to the public. Death records often list parents, spouse, and burial place. These facts help build family trees. The same state office handles death certificate orders.
Marriage Records Search in Miami-Dade County
Marriage licenses for all of Miami-Dade County are kept at the Clerk of Courts. Records go back to 1887. The clerk offers an online search tool for recent licenses. Older ones may need an in-person visit. Marriage papers often list full names, ages, birthplaces, and parents’ names. These details are very helpful for family research.
Local Archives and Libraries in Miami Beach
Local libraries and museums hold rare books, photos, maps, and city directories. Many of these items are not online. Visiting or calling ahead can save weeks of searching.
Miami Beach Regional Library Collections
The Miami Beach Regional Library sits at 227 22nd Street. The library has the Ancestry Library Edition for public use. You can search census records, immigration files, and U.S. military records there. The library also has HeritageQuest Online. Staff can help with basic genealogy questions.
Miami-Dade Public Library System Resources
The larger Miami-Dade Public Library System has many branches with genealogy tools. The main genealogy collection sits at the HistoryMiami Museum library. This collection includes Florida books, maps, and family files. You can use a library card to access many online databases from home.
Special Collections and Historical Societies
The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU keeps records about Jewish families in Miami Beach. The Wolfsonian-FIU holds design and cultural papers from the 1920s to 1940s. The Miami Design Preservation League has photos and Art Deco files. Each group helps by appointment. Call before you visit.
Florida State Archives and Territorial Records
The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds records for the whole state. This includes Miami-Dade County. The building sits in the R.A. Gray Building. Many collections are also online.
Florida State Archives Call-Collins House Location
The main State Archives reading room is in the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. A smaller research center, the Call-Collins House, sits at 1001 Apalachee Parkway. Both sites hold old tax rolls, military papers, and territorial records. Staff can help you plan a research visit.
Spanish Colonial and Territorial Records
Florida was a Spanish colony until 1821. East Florida papers are kept in the State Archives. Records include land grants, church books, and military lists. Many Spanish records have been scanned. Names of early settlers appear in the East Florida Papers collection. These can be useful if your family arrived before 1821.
Confederate and Civil War Records
Florida men who served the Confederacy appear in state military files. The State Archives has Confederate pension records, service cards, and muster rolls. These records name soldiers, their units, and family contacts. They also show where soldiers lived after the war.
Census Records and Federal Resources
Census records list every person living in a household. They name ages, birthplaces, and family links. Federal censuses happen every 10 years. Some state records fill in the gaps.
Federal Census Records 1850 to 1940
Federal census records exist for 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940. Miami-Dade County census records start in 1880. Most are searchable on Ancestry and FamilySearch. The 1950 census was released in 2022 and is free on the National Archives website.
State Census Records for Florida 1885 1935 1945
Florida took state censuses in 1885, 1935, and 1945. These fill in the gaps between federal counts. The 1885 census lists every household member. The 1935 and 1945 records show families during the Great Depression and World War II. All three are on FamilySearch and Ancestry.
Cemetery and Obituary Search Methods
Death records often link to cemetery and obituary records. These papers add facts about a person’s life. They also name surviving family members.
Cemetery Records Online Databases
Find A Grave and BillionGraves let you search burial records by name. Volunteers post photos of gravestones. Many Miami Beach burial sites appear in these databases. The two main Miami Beach cemeteries are Mount Sinai Memorial Park and Woodlawn Park Cemetery.
Free Obituary Search Resources
Many Florida newspapers post obituaries online. The Miami Herald archives go back to 1903. Chronicling America at the Library of Congress has free historic Florida papers. Local funeral home websites also post recent obituaries. Obituaries often list parents, spouses, and children.
Church and Religious Records
Church records are key for births, marriages, and deaths before state records began. Florida church books start in the 1500s in some areas. South Florida church books start in the late 1800s.
Catholic Church Records in South Florida
The Catholic Diocese of Miami keeps baptism, marriage, and burial records for parishes in Miami-Dade County. The oldest parish is St. Patrick’s in Miami, founded in 1896. The Archdiocese archives in Miami Gardens holds these old books. You can request copies by mail.
Jewish Congregation Records
Many Jewish families attended Temple Emanu-El, Beth Shalom, and other Miami Beach congregations. Each synagogue keeps its own books. Some have donated records to the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. The American Jewish Archives in Cincinnati also has South Florida records.
Immigration and Naturalization Records
Records of people who entered the U.S. or became citizens are federal papers. These records are rich in family details.
Passenger Lists and Ship Manifests
Passenger lists show people arriving at U.S. ports. They list name, age, birthplace, and last residence. Many records are on Ancestry and FamilySearch. Ellis Island records cover 1892 to 1957. Port of Miami records are also online.
Naturalization Records at Federal Courts
Naturalization papers show when a person became a U.S. citizen. They list birth dates, arrival dates, and family members. Federal court records for South Florida sit in the National Archives at Fort Worth, Texas. Some indexes are online.
Land Records and Property Deeds
Land records show who owned property in a given year. They also trace family wealth through generations. Miami Beach land records start in 1910.
Homestead Records in Florida
Florida had a state homestead program in the 1800s. People could claim 160 acres of land. The State Archives holds the original land patents. Federal homestead records sit with the Bureau of Land Management. These records help trace pioneer families.
Property Deeds Through Miami-Dade Clerk
The Miami-Dade County Clerk’s office has a property search tool on its website. You can search by name. The site shows deeds, mortgages, and liens back to the 1880s. The office is at 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33130.
Probate Court and Estate Files
Probate records show what happened after someone died. These files name heirs and list property. They often show how families were connected.
Wills and Estate Inventories
The Miami-Dade County Clerk’s office holds wills and estate papers. These files list children, spouses, and real estate. Estate inventories show what people owned. They also list debts and gifts. These papers are rich for family research.
Guardianship Records
Guardianship files name children and their guardians after a parent died. These records appear in probate court files. They help trace orphans and young heirs. They are also useful for finding maiden names and family links.
Historical Newspapers and Online Archives
Newspapers report births, deaths, marriages, and local events. They also print social news. Old Miami Beach papers sit in libraries and online.
Miami Beach Newspapers on Microfilm
The Miami Beach Regional Library has the Miami Beach Sun and other local papers on microfilm. Papers go back to the 1920s. Staff can help you use the microfilm reader. Some films have been scanned and are online.
Digital Newspaper Archives
Newspapers.com, GenealogyBank, and the Miami Herald archives hold South Florida papers. Some are free. Others need a paid subscription. Many public libraries offer free access on site. The Library of Congress Chronicling America site has free Florida papers from 1836 to 1922.
Florida Genealogical Society and Research Groups
Genealogy societies help researchers share findings. They publish books, host classes, and answer questions. Joining a society can speed up your research.
Florida Genealogical Society Resources
The Florida Genealogical Society (FGS) sits in Jacksonville. The group publishes a journal and runs conferences. Its library has Florida books and family files. Members can search online databases. The society also has a Facebook group for online help.
Local Miami-Dade Genealogy Groups
The Genealogical Society of Greater Miami meets monthly. The Cuban Genealogical Society helps trace Cuban family lines. The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami focuses on Jewish roots. These groups hold free classes and help new researchers.
FamilySearch and Ancestry Digital Tools
Two large websites hold most Florida genealogy records. Both are easy to use. Most public libraries offer free access.
FamilySearch Florida Collections
FamilySearch.org is free to use. The site has Florida birth, marriage, and death indexes. It also has census records and church books. You need a free account to view some images. The FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City also has Florida microfilm.
Ancestry Florida Records Search
Ancestry.com has the largest U.S. genealogy database. It includes Florida census records, newspapers, and city directories. You need a paid subscription. Many public libraries offer free Ancestry Library Edition access on site. The Ancestry mobile app also works on phones and tablets.
Adoption and Restricted Records Access
Some records are sealed by law. Adoption records are a main example. Florida has a process for opening them in some cases.
Florida Adoption Records and Sealed Files
Florida adoption records are sealed by court order. The Florida Department of Health keeps adoption files. Adult adoptees can request non-identifying facts. They can also use the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry. The registry helps birth parents and adult adoptees find each other.
Heirship Documentation for Vital Records
To order a vital record for someone who is deceased, you may need proof of heirship. This can include a will, death certificate, or family tree chart. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics lists the exact documents needed on its website. Each request is reviewed by state staff.
Contact Information and Visiting Hours
Below are the main offices that hold Miami Beach family history records. Hours may change. Call before you visit.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 359-6900 | Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET |
| State Archives of Florida (R.A. Gray Building) | 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399 | (850) 245-6719 | Tue-Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET |
| Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts | 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 | (305) 275-1155 | Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET |
| Miami Beach Regional Library | 227 22nd Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | (305) 535-4213 | Mon-Sat, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET |
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions family researchers ask about Miami Beach City Florida genealogy records. Each answer points you to the right office, website, or record type. Use these facts to plan your search and avoid common mistakes that delay family history work.
Where Can I Find Free Miami Beach Genealogy Records?
Free records sit at FamilySearch.org, the Miami Beach Regional Library, and the State Archives of Florida. You can also use Find A Grave, BillionGraves, and Chronicling America for newspaper and cemetery data. These sites let you search old census, church, and military files without paying a fee. Most need a free account to view full images.
How Do I Get a Florida Death Certificate for Genealogy?
Florida death records less than 50 years old are closed. After 50 years, they open to the public. You can order any death record through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The office is at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone orders are (904) 359-6900. You can also order online through the Florida Health website. You will need a valid ID and a small fee.
What Florida Territorial Records Help Early Settlers?
The State Archives of Florida has East Florida Papers from the Spanish period. These records include land grants, church books, and military rolls. They cover 1763 to 1821. You can search them at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. Many have also been scanned and posted on the State Archives website.
How Do I Find Old Miami Beach Newspapers?
Start at the Miami Beach Regional Library at 227 22nd Street. The library has local papers on microfilm. The Miami Herald archives go back to 1903. Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank also have South Florida papers. Chronicling America has free Florida papers from 1836 to 1922.
What Adoption Records Can Adult Adoptees See in Florida?
Florida adoption files are sealed. Adult adoptees can ask the Florida Department of Health for non-identifying facts. These include birth parent age, race, and health history. Adoptees can also join the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry. The registry helps birth parents and adult children connect if both parties agree.
Are Confederate Military Records Available for Florida?
Yes. The State Archives of Florida has Confederate pension files, service cards, and muster rolls. These records name soldiers, their units, and family members. You can search them in person at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. Many have also been scanned and are online at the State Archives website.
Can I Search Miami Beach Records From Home?
Yes. FamilySearch.org and the State Archives website are free and open 24 hours. Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com need a paid account. Most public libraries offer free access to Ancestry Library Edition on site. You can also use the Library of Congress Chronicling America site for old Florida papers.