Davie City Florida genealogy records help people trace family roots in Broward County and across South Florida. These records include birth papers, death files, marriage notes, land deeds, and church books.
Many of these papers now sit in state archives, county offices, and online websites. Researchers can search these sources from home or visit local offices for original documents.
Davie City History and Early Settlement
The story of Davie City begins with the draining of the Florida Everglades. Workers turned wet swampland into rich farmland during the early 1900s. Farmers grew beans, peppers, and strawberries in the dark soil. Water from the New River helped feed crops and stock. The town first carried the name Zona before changing it to honor R.P. Davie, who helped drain the Everglades.
Founding and Pioneer Families
Davie started in 1909 as a small farming community. Families came from the American South, the Bahamas, and other parts of Florida. These settlers worked hard to build farms from swampland. They kept simple records through church books, land deeds, and family Bibles. Many pioneer children attended local one-room schools before Broward County built larger campuses.
Growth and Modern Development
Broward College opened in Davie in 1960 as the Davie School. The school grew into a major campus over time. New roads, homes, and businesses followed the college. Today Davie holds over 112,000 residents. The town still keeps its horse trails and country feel. Old farm families and new arrivals mix together in modern Davie.
Broward County Formation and Record Keeping
Broward County formed in 1915 from parts of Dade and Palm Beach counties. This date matters for genealogy research. Most county records start in 1915. Before that date, families appear in Dade County or Palm Beach County files. The Broward County Clerk of Courts holds the main set of local records. These include marriage papers, deeds, and court files.
Vital Records for Davie Genealogy
Vital records form the backbone of family history research. These papers include birth, death, marriage, and divorce files. Florida started statewide birth and death records in 1877. Marriage records go back to territorial days. Each record type offers different clues for tracing ancestors.
Florida Birth Certificates for Genealogy
Florida birth certificates from 1877 to present are kept by the Florida Department of Health. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles requests for certified copies. Older birth files from before 1917 often lack full details. After 1917, certificates usually list the full name, birth date, parents’ names, and birthplace.
Genealogists can search birth indexes on FamilySearch and Ancestry.com. The Florida State Archives also holds microfilm copies of older birth files. Researchers should know that Florida law restricts access to recent birth records. Only immediate family members can order current certificates.
Florida Death Records for Genealogy
Florida death certificates from 1877 to present provide rich data for family historians. These files list the deceased’s name, age, birth date, parents’ names, and cause of death. Death certificates often name the spouse and children too. Cemetery name and burial location also appear on most files.
The Florida Department of Health issues death certificates through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Free indexes sit on FamilySearch and Ancestry.com. The State Archives in Tallahassee holds older death files on microfilm. Death certificates from 1917 onward tend to have the most complete details.
Florida Marriage Records for Genealogy
Florida marriage records date back to territorial days in 1822. County clerks kept marriage books from the start. These records name the bride, groom, ages, birthplaces, and parents. Later files include witnesses and officiant names. Broward County marriage books start in 1915.
Researchers can search Broward County marriage indexes on the Clerk of Courts website. FamilySearch holds many Florida marriage images for free. Ancestry.com has the largest online collection of Florida marriage records. The State Archives also has microfilm copies of older county marriage books.
Florida Divorce Records for Genealogy
Florida divorce records sit in county circuit court files. These papers include the divorce petition, final decree, and sometimes custody notes. Divorce files often list children’s names and birth dates. They also show the marriage date and grounds for divorce.
Broward County divorce records start in 1915 at the Clerk of Courts. Researchers need to visit the clerk’s office or write a records request. Many older divorce files sit in the State Archives in Tallahassee. Some divorce indexes appear on FamilySearch under Florida court records.
Florida Adoption Records for Genealogy
Florida adoption records are sealed by state law. Adult adoptees can request their original birth certificates through a court order. The Florida Department of Children and Families holds adoption files from 1940 forward. Pre-1940 adoptions appear in county circuit court files.
Genealogists researching biological parents often hit dead ends with adoption records. Some reunion registries help adoptees connect with birth families. The Florida Adoption Reunion Registry offers a free search tool. Court orders can unseal older adoption files in certain cases.
Broward County Clerk Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts holds the main set of local records. These files cover Davie and all other Broward cities. Researchers can search online indexes from home. Original papers require a visit to the Fort Lauderdale office or a written request.
Marriage Licenses and Official Records
Broward County marriage licenses from 1915 to present sit at the Clerk of Courts. Each license lists full names, ages, and birthplaces of both parties. Parents’ names appear on most licenses. Witness signatures and the officiant’s name show up on later files.
The clerk’s online search tool lets users look up marriage licenses by name. Free indexes cover most years. Certified copies cost a small fee per record. Researchers should check the date range tool to narrow results quickly.
Property Deeds and Land Records
Broward County property deeds trace land ownership from county formation onward. These papers show how Davie farmland passed between owners over time. Each deed names the buyer, seller, acreage, and sale price. Dower release notes show when wives signed off on land sales.
Researchers can search Broward County deeds online through the Clerk of Courts website. Older deed books sit on microfilm at the State Archives. The Broward County Property Appraiser also offers free parcel searches by address or owner name. Land records connect directly to homestead files and pioneer family stories.
Probate Records and Estate Files
Broward County probate records document what happened after a person died. These files name all heirs and their relationship to the deceased. Wills list children, grandchildren, and property divisions. Estate inventories describe homes, livestock, farm tools, and household goods.
Researchers can search Broward County probate files from 1915 forward at the Clerk of Courts. Many older files sit at the State Archives in Tallahassee. Florida probate records offer rich detail about family relationships. These files often confirm names, dates, and places missing from other sources.
Florida State Archives and Digital Holdings
The State Library and Archives of Florida in Tallahassee holds statewide records. These collections cover all 67 Florida counties. Researchers can visit the archives building or search digital copies online. Many older records now have free online indexes and images.
Florida Memory Digital Archives
Florida Memory is the digital archives project run by the State Library and Archives. This free website holds photos, manuscripts, maps, and records. Researchers can search the Florida Memory site by name, place, or date. The collection includes pioneer photos, family letters, and old maps of Davie and Broward County.
The Florida Memory collection grows each year with new digitized materials. Users can view images at high resolution for free. Citations come ready to copy for family history projects. The site also offers lesson plans and research tips for new genealogists.
State Library Microfilm Collections
The State Archives holds microfilm copies of older county records. These films cover birth, death, marriage, probate, and land files. Researchers can view microfilm at the archives reading room in Tallahassee. Interlibrary loan requests work for some films through local libraries.
The archives staff helps genealogists locate records by name and date. Some microfilm rolls cover specific Florida counties and time periods. Pre-1915 Broward records appear under Dade County films. Researchers should call ahead to confirm film availability before visiting.
Online Genealogy Databases
Online databases make Davie research faster and easier. Many sites offer free searches for Florida records. Paid subscription services hold larger collections. A mix of free and paid sites gives the best results for most family historians.
FamilySearch Florida Records
FamilySearch.org offers free access to Florida genealogy records. Users must create a free account to view most images. The site holds Florida census images, marriage records, death indexes, and probate files. FamilySearch also hosts user-submitted family trees and research wikis.
The Florida Research Wiki on FamilySearch lists county-specific record collections. Researchers can find Broward County resources by clicking the state map. The wiki explains which records exist and where to find them. FamilySearch partners with the State Archives to digitize new collections each year.
Ancestry.com Florida Collections
Ancestry.com holds the largest paid genealogy database. Florida collections include census images, vital records indexes, military files, and old newspapers. Users pay a monthly fee or buy a yearly subscription. Some libraries offer free Ancestry access through their genealogy rooms.
Ancestry’s Florida records cover Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and other nearby areas. The site also holds immigration files, passenger lists, and naturalization records. School yearbooks from Florida schools appear in the Ancestry US School Yearbooks collection.
Free Florida Genealogy Records Online
Several websites offer free Florida genealogy records. USGenWeb Florida genealogy sites cover each county with volunteer-run pages. Find A Grave lists cemetery records with photos. The Internet Archive holds old Florida newspapers on microfilm.
BillionGraves.com hosts cemetery records with GPS-tagged photos. The Florida Digital Newspaper Library offers free scans of historical papers. The Broward County Historical Commission runs a free online archive too. These free sites complement paid databases for full research coverage.
Newspaper Archives and Obituaries
Old Florida newspapers provide obituaries, marriage notices, and local news. These papers cover Davie families from the early 1900s forward. Newspapers often name parents, siblings, and hometowns. They fill gaps left by official vital records.
Florida Obituaries Archives
Florida obituaries appear in local papers like the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald. Older obituaries date back to the early 1900s. GenealogyBank and Newspapers.com hold large obituary databases. The Florida Digital Newspaper Library offers free scans of historical papers.
Obituaries often list funeral home names, church affiliations, and burial sites. Researchers can use this detail to locate cemetery records and church files. Broward County obituaries from the 1950s forward appear in the Sun-Sentinel archives.
Broward County Newspaper Collections
Broward County newspapers document local events and family milestones. The Fort Lauderdale News ran from 1911 to 1986. The Sun-Sentinel started in 1986. Both papers appear in online genealogy databases. Microfilm copies sit at the Broward County Library and the State Archives.
Researchers can search newspaper archives by name and date. Marriage announcements often name parents and wedding locations. Death notices add burial details and surviving family members. Society news columns share details about Davie social life across decades.
Cemetery and Funeral Records
Cemetery records help locate graves and confirm death dates. Broward County has several old cemeteries that served pioneer families. These burial sites sit in Davie, Fort Lauderdale, and nearby towns. Funeral home records add obituary drafts and family details.
Florida Cemetery Records Online
Find A Grave hosts millions of cemetery records with photos and GPS data. BillionGraves offers similar data with smartphone-captured images. The Broward County Historical Commission keeps burial records for old local cemeteries. These records cover both marked and unmarked graves.
Researchers should check multiple cemetery databases for full coverage. Some old Davie family graves sit in cemeteries now covered by roads or buildings. Cemetery office files often hold burial permits and death certificate copies.
Funeral Home Records
Broward County funeral homes keep records of services going back many decades. Major funeral homes in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood serve Davie families. These records include death dates, burial locations, and family contact details. Some funeral homes release records to family members on request.
Church Records and Baptism Files
Church records fill gaps before Florida started statewide vital records in 1877. Pioneer churches kept baptism, marriage, and burial books. These entries often list parents, godparents, and birth dates. Davie had several pioneer churches serving farming families.
Florida Church Records Baptism Files
Florida church baptism records date back to Spanish colonial days. Catholic mission records cover early Florida settlers. Protestant church records start with the founding of pioneer congregations. These records sit at the State Archives, local churches, and on FamilySearch.
The State Archives holds microfilm copies of many Florida church records. Researchers should contact local churches directly for recent baptism records. FamilySearch indexes some Florida church collections under state vital records.
Military and Naturalization Records
Military and naturalization records offer key data for non-native ancestors. Florida military records cover the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and both World Wars. Naturalization records name ships, arrival dates, and birthplaces.
Florida Civil War Records
Florida Civil War records cover Florida regiments that served the Confederate and Union armies. These files sit at the State Archives and on Fold3.com. Military service records list enlistment dates, units, and battles. Pension files name wives, children, and death dates.
Broward County did not exist during the Civil War, but soldiers from Dade and Palm Beach counties served. Their families later settled in Davie. Researchers can search Florida Civil War records on FamilySearch and Ancestry.
Florida Naturalization Records and Passenger Lists
Florida naturalization records document immigrants who became U.S. citizens. These papers sit at federal courts in Florida. They list arrival ships, birthplaces, and family members. Passenger lists for Florida ports appear in federal immigration records.
The National Archives holds federal naturalization records for Florida. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexed these files. The port of Tampa and Key West processed many Florida-bound immigrants. Researchers should check both state and federal sources for full coverage.
African American and Pioneer Genealogy
Tracing African American and pioneer families in Davie takes special effort. Many records sit in Freedmen’s Bureau files, plantation papers, and homestead records. Pioneer families often appear in territorial documents from 1822 onward.
Florida African American Genealogy Records
Florida African American genealogy records begin with slavery-era documents. Plantation records, Freedmen’s Bureau papers, and early census files offer key data. The State Archives holds the Florida Memory Black History collection with photos and manuscripts.
Researchers should check the 1867 Florida voter registration and the 1870 federal census. These sources list formerly enslaved persons by name. The Broward County African American Research Library and Cultural Center holds local Black history materials.
Florida Pioneer and Homestead Records
Florida pioneer and homestead records document early settlers who claimed land under federal homestead laws. These files sit at the National Archives and the Bureau of Land Management. Homestead patents name the settler, acreage, and claim date.
Florida territorial records from 1822 forward cover early pioneer families. The State Archives holds territorial governor records, census files, and militia rolls. Researchers can also check the Florida Historical Society library in Cocoa for pioneer manuscripts.
Florida Historical Society and Local Resources
The Florida Historical Society holds books, maps, and manuscripts on state history. Their library in Cocoa covers pioneer families, plantation records, and territorial history. Local historical societies in Broward County keep Davie-specific materials.
Florida Historical Society Records
The Florida Historical Society library holds genealogy books, family files, and photograph collections. Researchers can visit by appointment or search the online catalog. The society publishes the Florida Historical Quarterly with pioneer family articles.
Broward County Historical Commission
The Broward County Historical Commission maintains local archives and oral histories. Their collection includes pioneer family interviews, old photos, and maps. Researchers can visit the commission office in Fort Lauderdale for in-person help.
Contact Information and Research Locations
Researchers can reach key offices by phone or in person. Most offices need advance appointments for in-depth help. Many offices offer online records search before visiting.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Clerk of Courts handles marriage, deed, and court records for Davie. The office sits in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Researchers can search many indexes online for free.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics handles birth and death certificates statewide. The office sits in Jacksonville, Florida. Researchers can request certified copies by mail or online.
State Library and Archives of Florida
The State Library and Archives of Florida sits in Tallahassee. The archives hold Florida Memory digital collections, microfilm records, and manuscripts. Researchers can search Florida Memory online for free.
FAQs About Davie City Florida Genealogy Records
Below are common questions about tracing family roots in Davie. These answers cover record types, access rules, and research tips. Researchers should check current office hours and fees before visiting any location.
Where can I find free Davie City genealogy records?
Free Davie City genealogy records sit at FamilySearch, USGenWeb Florida genealogy pages, and Florida Memory. The Broward County Historical Commission also offers free research help. Library genealogy rooms provide free access to Ancestry.com and other paid databases. Online indexes often link to images without any fees. Researchers should check multiple free sites for full coverage of birth, marriage, and death files.
How do I get a Florida birth certificate for genealogy?
Florida birth certificates for genealogy come from the Florida Department of Health. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles all statewide requests. Older certificates from 1877 to 1917 sit at the State Archives in Tallahassee. Birth records from 1917 forward have access rules under Florida Statute 382. Only immediate family can order recent certificates, but older files have public access for researchers.
What Broward County records help trace Davie pioneers?
Broward County pioneer records include deeds, marriage licenses, probate files, and homestead papers. These files start in 1915 when the county formed. Older records sit in Dade County and Palm Beach County archives. Researchers should also check Florida territorial records from 1822 forward. The Broward County Historical Commission holds pioneer family interviews and photos.
How do I search Florida Memory for Davie records?
Search Florida Memory by typing a surname, place name, or keyword into the search box. Filter results by collection type and date range. The site holds photos, manuscripts, maps, and government records. Broward County and Davie appear in many collections. Users can save images and citations for free without an account.
Can I find Davie obituaries online?
Davie obituaries appear online through GenealogyBank, Newspapers.com, and the Sun-Sentinel archives. The Florida Digital Newspaper Library offers free scans of old papers. Broward County Library databases also hold obituary indexes. Researchers should search by full name with middle initials to find correct matches.
How do I trace African American families in Davie?
Tracing African American families in Davie starts with the 1870 federal census and the 1867 Florida voter registration. The Freedmen’s Bureau records and plantation papers offer pre-1870 data. The State Archives holds Black History collections through Florida Memory. Local churches and funeral home records add detail. The Broward County African American Research Library holds local family history files.
What is the best starting point for Davie genealogy?
The best starting point for Davie genealogy is the FamilySearch Florida Research Wiki. This wiki lists every record type, office, and date range for Broward County. Researchers should start with the most recent ancestor and work backward. Census records anchor each decade, with vital records filling the gaps between. The Broward County Historical Commission helps new researchers get started.