Franklin County Florida genealogy records help you trace family roots in a Gulf Coast county formed in 1832 from Jackson and Washington Counties. The county seat sits in Apalachicola, where old port ledgers, courthouse vaults, and state archives hold birth, marriage, death, land, and court files for thousands of families.
This page shows where these records live, who can see them, and how to search them online or in person for free or at low cost.
Franklin County Quick Facts for Researchers
Franklin County sits on the Florida panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico. It covers water, islands, and coastal towns shaped by the Apalachicola River, oyster boats, and timber shipments. Knowing the basic facts about the county helps you pick the right record set and the right office to contact first.
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Year Formed | 1832 |
| Parent Counties | Jackson and Washington |
| County Seat | Apalachicola |
| Area Code | 850 |
| Judicial Circuit | 2nd Circuit |
| Clerk Address | 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320 |
| Clerk Phone | 850-653-8881 |
| State Archives Phone | 850-245-6700 |
Why Franklin County Records Matter for Family History
Franklin County holds a rare mix of coastal, river, and island families. Many settlers arrived by ship from the Atlantic states, the Bahamas, and parts of Europe. Others came upriver from Georgia on the Apalachicola and Chattahoochee rivers. The records left behind by these groups include marriage bonds, probate packets, ship manifests, and tax lists that link kin across state lines.
A Port Town With Wide Reach
Apalachicola was once one of the busiest cotton ports on the Gulf Coast. Ships loaded cargo for New York, Liverpool, and Havana. Crew lists, customs papers, and warehouse receipts from the 1800s name workers, captains, and traders. These files help connect Franklin families to ports in other states and countries.
Records From Two Parent Counties
Because Franklin County formed in 1832 from parts of Jackson and Washington, any birth, marriage, or land event before that year sits in those two counties instead. Researchers tracing early lines should check Jackson County and Washington County records for the period before 1832 to find parents, land grants, and early marriages.
Franklin County Clerk of Court Records
The Clerk of Court in Apalachicola keeps the oldest local files. Marriage licenses, probate packets, and civil court records from 1832 forward still sit in the courthouse. Many of these have not been scanned, so a visit or a phone request often beats an online search for older years.
Marriage Licenses and Bonds (1832 to 1926)
Marriage records from the start of the county in 1832 through 1926 stay only with the local Clerk. The state did not start keeping these files until June 6, 1927. Each license names the bride, groom, and the bondsman who pledged they were free to marry. Witness names often point to parents, siblings, or close kin.
Probate and Estate Files
Probate packets list heirs in clear order: spouse first, then children, then other kin. The file also shows the land, slaves, household goods, and debts left behind. Debts and land sales in these packets often name siblings, in-laws, and neighbors, which adds new branch lines to a family tree.
Civil and Admiralty Court Cases
Court cases in Franklin County often involve land disputes, debts, and ship matters. Admiralty cases cover shipwrecks, cargo loss, and sailor injuries. These files name captains, crew, and merchants from other ports. They also list witnesses, which helps link coastal families across the Gulf.
How to Reach the Clerk
The Clerk’s office sits at 33 Market Street in Apalachicola. The phone number is 850-653-8881. Florida law (Chapter 119) grants public access to most of these files. Staff can pull older books from the vault for in-person viewing. Newer files appear on the clerk’s website at franklincountyflorida.com.
Florida State Archives Holdings for Franklin County
The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee hold a wide range of Franklin County files on microfilm and paper. These include Spanish land grants, voter rolls from 1867, Confederate pension files, tax lists, and school logs. The Archives also hold microfilm copies of older county records that the Clerk may not have on site.
Spanish Land Grants
Spanish land grants predate the county. They cover claims made under Spanish rule in Florida before 1821. These grants name settlers, their families, and the tracts they claimed. Many of these tracts passed down through the same family lines for generations, which makes them strong proof of early kin ties.
Voter Rolls From 1867
Voter rolls from 1867 mark one of the first public lists of Black male residents after the Civil War. Each entry lists name, race, and state of birth. These rolls help African American researchers trace parents and grandparents who registered to vote during Reconstruction.
Confederate Pension Files
Confederate pension files name the soldier, his unit, and his service period. Widows also filed for pensions with proof of marriage, which adds marriage dates and maiden names. Children named in these files link siblings and half-siblings to the same veteran line.
Tax Lists and School Logs
Tax lists from the 1800s show who owned land and how much. School logs list pupils, their ages, and sometimes their parents. Both file types add a layer of proof that a family lived in the county at a given time.
Plan a Visit to the Archives
Call the Archives at 850-245-6700 before you travel. Staff can pull microfilm in advance so you save time on site. The online catalog at dos.fl.gov/library-archives/archives/ lists Franklin County holdings by record type and year range.
Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce
Vital records cover the four key life events: birth, death, marriage, and divorce. In Florida, the Bureau of Vital Statistics (part of the Florida Department of Health) keeps statewide files. Local Clerks and courts hold older marriage, divorce, and probate records. Knowing who keeps which year saves time and fees.
Florida Birth Certificates
Statewide birth files begin on January 1, 1917. Florida seals birth certificates for 125 years from the birth date. Only close family members (parents, grandparents, children, or those named in the record) may order a certified copy. You must show ID and prove the family link. Order through VitalChek at vitalchek.com, or write to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Florida Death Certificates
Death certificates also start at the state level in 1917. All parts of a death file become public except the cause of death, which stays sealed for 50 years. Researchers can order death certificates to find parents, spouse, birth date, and burial place.
Florida Marriage Records
Marriage records from June 6, 1927 onward sit with the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Earlier Franklin County marriages (1832 to 1926) stay only at the local Clerk’s office in Apalachicola. Both sources give bride and groom names, marriage date, and county of issue.
Florida Divorce Records
Divorce decrees for Franklin County sit with the Clerk of Court. Each decree names both spouses, the date, and often the reason. Many decrees list children, which helps build full family groups. The Clerk can search by case number or party name for a small fee.
How to Order Statewide Files
You can order birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates through VitalChek at vitalchek.com or by calling 877-550-7330. Mail requests go to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The office accepts checks, money orders, and major cards.
Census Records and Federal Files
Census records show who lived in each household every ten years from 1850 to 1940. Florida’s federal census records are free to search on FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com (with a paid subscription). Census pages list name, age, race, occupation, and state of birth for each person in the home.
Federal Census Years Available
The 1850 census was the first to name every household member by name. Earlier counts (1790 to 1840) list only the head of household by name, with tick marks for other members. Franklin County census schedules from 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 are all open for search.
Slave Schedays (1850 and 1860)
The 1850 and 1860 federal slave schedules list the head of household and the number of enslaved people by age and sex. They do not name the enslaved, but they group them by farm or plantation. When paired with probate files and Freedmen’s Bureau records, these schedules help African American researchers trace ancestors before emancipation.
Other Federal Records
Other federal files that help Franklin County research include Civil War draft registrations, World War I and World War II draft cards, and naturalization papers. Many of these records sit on Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, and FamilySearch.org.
Florida Memory and State Digital Collections
Florida Memory (floridamemory.com) is the digital archive of the State Library and Archives. It holds scanned photos, maps, newspapers, and oral history audio for all 67 Florida counties. The Florida Memory newspaper collection covers titles from Apalachicola and other river towns.
Historical Newspapers
Old Apalachicola newspapers such as the Apalachicola Times carry obituaries, marriage notices, ship news, and local events. These notices often name parents, spouses, and hometowns. Florida Memory offers free search and free page views for many of these papers.
Photographs and Maps
Florida Memory holds thousands of photos of Franklin County from the 1900s to the 1980s. Maps from the 1800s and early 1900s show plantations, town plats, and river landings, which helps place a family on the land at a given date.
Free Florida Genealogy Records Online
Many Franklin County records sit on free websites. FamilySearch.org holds statewide vital record indexes, census images, and probate files. The USGenWeb project (usgenweb.org) hosts volunteer-transcribed records for many Florida counties.
FamilySearch.org
FamilySearch.org is free with a free account. It holds Florida birth indexes (1866 to 1920), death indexes (1877 to 1939), marriage indexes (1830 to 1950), and probate records. It also has census images and Freedmen’s Bureau records. The site runs training webinars on Florida research each month.
USGenWeb Archives
The USGenWeb Archives (usgwarchives.net) host transcribed marriage records, Bible records, and cemetery surveys for Franklin County. These records were typed by volunteers and often cover years not yet filmed by the Archives.
Find a Grave and BillionGraves
Find a Grave (findagrave.com) and BillionGraves (billiongraves.com) host photos of tombstones from Florida cemeteries. Local volunteers photograph markers, so coverage is strong for larger burial sites. Search by name, birth year, and death year to find matches.
Cemetery and Obituary Records
Cemetery records and obituaries name parents, spouses, and burial dates. They also list military service, church membership, and other kin who served as pallbearers. These files often add details that vital records leave out.
Major Franklin County Cemeteries
Old Key West Cemetery in Apalachicola dates to the 1800s and holds many of the town’s early families. Other active cemeteries include Magnolia Cemetery and Eastpoint Cemetery. The Franklin County Historical Society keeps a card file of burials and tombstone photos for several sites.
Obituary Search Tips
Search obituaries on Newspapers.com, Ancestry.com, and Florida Memory. Use maiden names, married names, and nickname spellings. Many Florida papers printed obituaries a week after the death, so add a buffer of 3 to 7 days to your search dates.
Military Records for Franklin County Families
Military records help prove service, age, and family ties. They also help link men who served in the same unit back to the same home county. Florida has strong records for the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and both World Wars.
Civil War Service Records
Confederate service records for Florida units sit on Fold3.com and the National Archives. Each file names the soldier, his unit, his enlistment date, and any wounds or capture events. Many Franklin County men served in the 1st Florida Infantry, the 5th Florida Infantry, or local militia units.
World War I and World War II Draft Cards
Draft cards for World War I (1917 to 1918) and World War II (1942) sit on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. Each card lists name, address, birth date, and next of kin. Many cards also list a physical description and the name of a person who would always know the registrant’s address.
Land Records and Probate Packets
Land records and probate packets are among the best proof sources for Franklin County families. They use full names, often over many decades, and they cover land transfers between family members.
Deed Books and Land Entries
Deed books at the Clerk’s office show who sold land to whom, the price, and the tract size. The deed often names the adjacent land owners, who were usually kin or neighbors. These books run from 1832 to the present and many have been scanned to the clerk’s website.
Probate Packets
Probate packets name the deceased, the heirs, the property, and the debts. They often include a will, an inventory, and a final distribution. Probate files can be the single best source to link three or four generations at once.
Naturalization and Immigration Records
Many Franklin County families came from other countries, especially the Bahamas, Ireland, and parts of southern Europe. Naturalization records track the path from arrival to citizenship. They often name the ship, the arrival port, and the country of birth.
Federal Naturalization Records
Federal naturalization records sit on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and the National Archives. They include declarations of intention, petitions for citizenship, and final papers. These files often list the date and port of arrival, which helps connect to ship manifests.
Ship Manifests
Ship manifests list every passenger by name, age, sex, and country of birth. The Apalachicola customs office kept these papers from the 1830s onward. Many manifests sit on Ancestry.com under the “Apalachicola, Passenger Lists” collection.
How to Build a Franklin County Family Tree
Building a family tree for Franklin County takes a step-by-step plan. Start with what you know, work outward from there, and check each fact against more than one source. Records in this county cross state lines, so look at Georgia and Alabama as well.
Step 1: Start With Home Sources
Begin with family Bibles, photos, letters, and birth or death certificates at home. Write down each name, date, and place. Note the source for each fact so you can return to it later if needed.
Step 2: Search Vital Records
Search Florida birth and death indexes on FamilySearch to confirm each generation. Order full certificates through VitalChek for proof of parents and exact dates.
Step 3: Search Census and Federal Files
Track each ancestor through every available census year. Note neighbors, ages, and birth states. Cross-check names against probate files and land deeds at the Clerk’s office.
Step 4: Check Court and Church Records
Court records cover crimes, debts, land disputes, and divorces. Church records from local Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic churches record baptisms, marriages, and burials. Many local churches keep their own books.
Step 5: Cross the State Line
Franklin County kin often lived in Jackson County, Washington County, Gulf County, and Liberty County. Search those counties’ records as well. Many families also had kin in Decatur County, Georgia, which sits across the river.
Contact Information and Visiting Hours
The Clerk of Court office in Apalachicola is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Florida State Archives in Tallahassee are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville answers mail and online orders during standard business hours.
- Franklin County Clerk of Court: 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320. Phone: 850-653-8881
- Florida State Archives: 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Phone: 850-245-6700
- Bureau of Vital Statistics: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone: 877-550-7330
- VitalChek online orders: vitalchek.com
- FamilySearch free records: familysearch.org
- Florida Memory digital archive: floridamemory.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Franklin County Genealogy Records
Below are answers to common questions about Franklin County Florida genealogy records. These cover how to find vital records, how to access older files, and how to deal with the most common research hurdles. Each answer gives a direct, practical step you can take today.
Where Do I Find Franklin County Marriage Records Before 1927?
Marriage records from 1832 to 1926 sit only at the Franklin County Clerk of Court in Apalachicola. The state did not start keeping these files until June 6, 1927. You can visit the Clerk at 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320, or call 850-653-8881. Staff will pull the marriage books from the vault for in-person review. Some indexes also appear on FamilySearch under “Florida, County Marriages, 1830-1950.”
Can I View Florida Birth Certificates for Free?
You cannot view a certified Florida birth certificate for free, but you can search free indexes on FamilySearch and Ancestry. These indexes list name, year, and county, but they do not give the full certificate. To get a full copy, you must be a close family member and order through VitalChek or by mail to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
What Records Help Trace African American Families in Franklin County?
Key records include the 1867 voter rolls, Freedmen’s Bureau field office records, 1850 and 1860 slave schedules, and Confederate pension files. Church records, school logs, and cemetery surveys also help. The State Archives in Tallahassee holds the voter rolls and pension files on microfilm. FamilySearch has the Freedmen’s Bureau records free to search.
How Do I Find Old Newspapers From Apalachicola?
Search Florida Memory at floridamemory.com for free scanned pages. Use Newspapers.com or GenealogyBank for a wider range of years and full-text search. Many Apalachicola Times issues from 1886 onward have been scanned. Try spelling variants and search the full text of obituaries for parents’ names.
What Is the Best Free Website for Florida Genealogy?
FamilySearch.org is the best free starting point. It holds census images, vital record indexes, probate files, and Freedmen’s Bureau records for Florida. Florida Memory at floridamemory.com is the best free source for newspapers, photos, and maps. USGenWeb Archives holds volunteer-transcribed records that may not appear elsewhere.
How Far Back Do Florida Death Records Go?
Statewide death records begin in 1917. Local death records may exist earlier in some counties but not for Franklin County. For deaths before 1917, use church records, cemetery records, obituaries, and probate files. Many probate files for Franklin County sit at the Clerk’s office and the State Archives.
Can I Search Franklin County Probate Records Online?
Some probate records appear on FamilySearch under “Florida Probate Records, 1784-1990.” For full packets, you need to visit the Clerk of Court in Apalachicola or request copies by mail. The Clerk charges a per-page copy fee. Plan a phone call to 850-653-8881 to confirm which years are available and how the staff can help.