Glades County Florida genealogy records help you trace family lines in a small rural county near Lake Okeechobee. The county started in 1921 from part of DeSoto County.
Moore Haven serves as the county seat. Most records begin that year or shortly before. Birth, death, marriage, divorce, land, court, cemetery, and military records all exist for family research. This page lists every record type, where to find it, and how to order copies. It also points to free online tools and statewide Florida collections. Use the sections below to plan your search in order.
About Glades County and Its History
Glades County sits on the western shore of Lake Okeechobee in south-central Florida. It forms the 20th Judicial Circuit. The land is mostly farms, ranches, and wetlands. Knowing the local setting helps you see why records sit in certain places. Early families came for cattle, sugar cane, vegetables, and fishing on the lake. Their papers sit in county, state, and federal offices.
How Glades County Formed
Florida lawmakers created Glades County in 1921 from the southern part of DeSoto County. The split happened during a wave of farming growth around Lake Okeechobee. The new county needed its own tax, court, and land offices. Moore Haven won the seat after a vote among local towns. Records from 1921 forward come from the Glades County Clerk of Court. Papers from before 1921 sit in DeSoto County files.
Moore Haven and Early Settlement
Moore Haven sits on the Caloosahatchee River next to Lake Okeechobee. The town grew around a sugar mill built in the early 1900s. Workers, farmers, and shop owners settled there with their families. The 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane killed more than 150 people in Moore Haven. Recovery brought new families and new record types. Old church books, school rolls, and company ledgers from this period hold names of residents.
Geographic and Cultural Setting
Glades County covers about 986 square miles. Most of the land is rural. Cattle ranching and sugar cane rule the local economy. Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Charlotte, and Collier counties border Glades. Many early families moved between these counties for work. That means records may sit in a bordering county, not in Glades. Always search nearby counties when a name disappears.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records in Florida come from the state, not the county. Glades County did not keep its own files in early years. The state started statewide birth registration in 1917 and statewide death registration in 1877. Florida law keeps some records private for 100 years for births and 25 years for deaths. Eligible family members can order certified copies through a set process.
How to Order a Birth Certificate
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps birth files for the whole state. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at the Jacksonville office. The current fee is set by Florida statute and listed on the Department of Health site. You need the full name at birth, date of birth, hospital or county, and parent names. Provide a photo ID and proof of family relationship. Expect two to four weeks by mail, or faster online.
How to Order a Death Certificate
Death records begin in 1877 for Florida as a whole. Glades County deaths from 1921 forward sit in the state file. Order the same way as a birth certificate. Death records often list the spouse, parents, and burial site. They also list the cause of death and the attending doctor or funeral home. These clues open doors to obituaries, cemetery files, and newspaper archives.
The state Bureau of Vital Statistics handles all certified copy orders for Florida. Use their official website to check current fees, forms, and processing times before you order.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage records older than 1927 only sit in the county where the license was issued. From June 6, 1927 onward, the state also holds copies. Glades County marriage books start in 1921 because that is when the county formed. Divorce files for Glades County sit in the county Clerk of Court as part of the circuit court records. Researchers should check both the county and the state for a full picture.
Marriage Books at the Clerk Office
The Glades County Clerk of Court keeps original marriage licenses, applications, and certificates. Each entry lists the bride and groom full names, ages, race, residence, and birthplaces. Parents names appear on most pre-1950 books. Witnesses sign the license, so you see friends and family members. Some books list the minister or judge who performed the wedding. Staff will copy a record for a small fee.
Marriage records are one of the most useful tools for Glades County genealogy. They link two family lines together in one document and often span generations through parents and witnesses listed on the page.
Divorce Cases in the Circuit Court
Divorce files sit with the Glades County Clerk of Court under the 20th Judicial Circuit. Files from 1921 forward include the petition, answer, decree, and sometimes custody papers. Many files list children, property, and reasons for the divorce. These are open to the public unless a judge sealed them. Older files may be fragile and require a staff scan to view. A small fee applies for printed copies.
Glades County Clerk of Court Records
The Clerk of Court office is the central record holder for the county. Staff keep marriage, divorce, probate, civil, criminal, and land records. The office sits on Avenue J in Moore Haven, next to the courthouse square. You can visit during work hours or send a written request by mail. A small fee applies for copies and certified copies. Phone and email requests for record searches are handled on a first-come basis.
Office Location and Contact Details
The Glades County Clerk of Courts sits in downtown Moore Haven. Phone lines run Monday through Friday during work hours. The website lists fees, forms, and search tools. Use the contact table below to plan your visit or call. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Glades County Clerk of Courts |
| Street Address | 500 Avenue J, Moore Haven, FL 33471 |
| Phone Number | (863) 946-6010 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Official Website | gladesclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 20th Judicial Circuit |
| Area Code | 863 |
| Year Records Begin | 1921 |
Probate and Estate Files
Probate records for Glades County start in 1921. Files hold the will, inventory, and final distribution of an estate. You often see heirs, spouses, children, and property listed by name and legal description. Heirs who lived in other counties often appear in the file. These records help you track a family across county borders. Probate files also list the dollar value of land and goods at the time of death.
Land Deeds and Homestead Records
Land deed books sit in the Clerk of Court from 1921 forward. Each deed shows the grantor and grantee names, the legal description, and the sale price. Homestead files from the 1930s through the 1960s may list family members, race, and crops grown. Mortgage records show loans against the land. All of these files can place an ancestor on a specific farm or town lot. Cross-check deed dates with census years to confirm family locations.
Florida State Archives and Statewide Resources
State-level offices hold records that cover all Florida counties, including Glades. The State Archives of Florida, the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and the Florida Memory project offer thousands of scanned pages. These are the next step when local files do not have what you need. Many state records are free to search online. Researchers can also visit the archives in Tallahassee for items that have not been scanned yet.
The State Archives holds original documents that local counties no longer keep. Their catalog lets you search by name across the entire state at the same time. This makes statewide searches easier when a family moved between Florida counties.
State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee
The State Archives sits in the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. Collections include territorial and state records, maps, photographs, newspapers, and family papers. The online catalog lets you search by name, place, or topic. Many Florida Memory items link directly to scanned pages you can view from home. Staff answer email and phone research questions for free within a set time limit each month. Walk-in researchers can use the reading room on weekdays.
Florida Memory Digital Collection
Florida Memory is the digital arm of the State Archives. It holds millions of scanned records, photos, and audio clips. For Glades County, you will find homestead photographs, citrus labels, and newspaper issues. Search by name or browse by county. Images and text are free to view and save. A map layer shows where old photos were taken. Teachers and researchers use the site to teach Florida history.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Bureau holds statewide birth and death records. The office sits in Jacksonville. You can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person. The Bureau also runs the statewide marriage index from June 6, 1927 forward. Records before that date sit only at the county level. The Bureau website lists fees, forms, and turnaround times for orders. Checks and money orders are accepted by mail.
Florida Department of Health Office
The Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics as part of its public health duties. Local county health departments also issue birth and death records for events in their county. Glades County births and deaths fall under the Department of Health for the state. You may use any local health office for questions about how to order. The state office remains the only place to get certified copies of older records.
Census Records and Federal Sources
Federal census records cover Glades County from 1930 forward because the county formed in 1921. Earlier census schedules belong to DeSoto County. The U.S. Census Bureau released the 1950 census in 2022, and the 1940 census is fully indexed online. Federal records sit with the National Archives and its regional branches. Free indexes make it easy to search for an ancestor by name.
Federal Census Schedules
Census records list every person living at an address on the day the census taker came. You see names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, and home values. The 1930, 1940, and 1950 censuses all cover Glades County. Earlier censuses for the same land area sit under DeSoto County. Free indexes sit on FamilySearch and the National Archives site. Image viewers let you browse the actual census pages after you find an entry.
National Archives Atlanta Branch
The National Archives branch in Atlanta holds federal records for Florida. You will find military service files, immigration papers, naturalization records, and federal court files there. Records can be viewed in person or ordered by mail. Some files have been scanned and sit on the Archives.gov site or Ancestry.com under a National Archives partnership. Plan ahead for in-person visits because the reading room fills up fast.
Cemetery, Obituary, and Newspaper Records
Cemeteries, funeral homes, and newspapers write down local events that courts never track. Death dates, burial places, family members, and town news all show up in these records. They fill in gaps between official papers. Many old Florida newspapers have been scanned and sit online for free. These records often provide the missing link that ties census records to vital records.
Cemetery Records in Glades County
Major cemeteries in Glades County include Evergreen Cemetery in Moore Haven, Palmdale Cemetery, and several small church and family plots. Cemetery offices keep burial registers with names, dates, and plot numbers. The USGenWeb Tombstone Transcription Project and Find A Grave hold user-contributed photos and readings of many of these stones. Local church offices may keep their own burial books. Some rural graves sit on private land with no marker.
Obituary Search Tips
Obituaries list the full name, age, birth date, death date, family members, burial site, and funeral home. You can search old Florida newspapers on newspapers.com, GenealogyBank, and the free Florida Memory newspaper collection. Local funeral homes often post recent obituaries on their websites. Cross-check each clue with birth, marriage, and cemetery files. A name in an obituary can open up new family branches you never knew about.
Historical Newspapers of Florida
Florida newspapers cover births, marriages, deaths, accidents, and farm news. The Moore Haven News and the Glades County Democrat cover local events from the 1920s onward. Many of these issues sit on the Florida Memory newspaper hub and Chronicling America. Older Glades County news sits under DeSoto County papers before 1921. Use the date range tool to narrow your search to the right era.
Military, Naturalization, and Immigration Records
Military service, citizenship, and immigration papers come from federal offices. They cover Florida residents of any race, age, or branch. Glades County veterans from World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam have files you can search. Naturalization records cover anyone who became a U.S. citizen through a Florida court. These files often hold photos, signatures, and personal details you cannot find anywhere else.
Military Service and Veteran Files
The State Archives of Florida holds military service cards for Florida residents who served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The cards show name, rank, unit, and birth place. The National Archives in Washington, D.C. holds the full service files for World War I and later. Pension files sit at the National Archives too. Local Veterans Affairs offices hold bonus and benefit files that list family members.
Naturalization and Citizenship Papers
Naturalization papers for Glades County sit in two places. The county Clerk of Court kept pre-1906 declarations and final papers. After 1906, federal courts took over, and papers sit with the National Archives. Records list the person’s birth country, arrival date, ship name, and witnesses. The indexes sit on FamilySearch and Ancestry.com. Citizenship papers often list the person’s exact date of arrival in the United States.
Immigration Records Through Florida Ports
Florida ports at Jacksonville, Tampa, Pensacola, and Key West processed many immigrants. Ship passenger lists for these ports sit with the National Archives. The records show the passenger’s age, occupation, country of origin, and final destination. Tampa’s Port of Tampa records cover many farm workers and cattle workers who later moved to Glades County. Some immigrant ancestors moved inland from the port within a few years of arrival.
Online Databases and Free Tools
Free online databases save time and travel. FamilySearch, the State Archives, and county USGenWeb pages all hold Glades County material. Paid sites like Ancestry and MyHeritage hold larger collections you can use through a library card. Most public libraries in Florida offer free in-library access to these paid sites. Start with free tools before you spend money on a paid subscription.
FamilySearch Florida Records
FamilySearch.org holds a large Florida collection that includes census images, county histories, and family trees. The site is free to create an account and search. FamilySearch also runs the Family History Library in Salt Lake City with microfilm copies you can borrow through a local Family History Center. Glades County records sit in the Florida statewide collections on FamilySearch. Records are added and indexed by volunteers every week.
Ancestry and MyHeritage at Libraries
Ancestry.com and MyHeritage both hold U.S. census images, military files, newspapers, and family trees. You can use them free at most Florida public libraries. The Moore Haven Public Library and Okeechobee Public Library offer computer access. Library staff can show you how to start a search and print out records. Some library branches require a reservation for the genealogy computer.
Free Public Library Genealogy Help
The Glades County Public Library sits in Moore Haven. Staff help with genealogy questions during work hours. The library holds local history books, maps, and newspaper back issues. Many Florida library systems belong to a genealogy network that lends microfilm and books between counties. Ask staff about interlibrary loan for hard-to-find items. The library also hosts free genealogy workshops each month.
Nearby Counties for Cross-Reference Research
Glades County families often appear in nearby county records too. People moved for work, marriage, or land. Searching bordering counties catches records you will not find in Glades alone. The list below shows each bordering county and a short note on its records. Many Glades County families lived in two or three counties during their lifetime.
Adjacent Counties Around Lake Okeechobee
The six counties that border Glades sit along Lake Okeechobee and southwest Florida. Their record offices are the next stop if a Glades search goes cold. Use this list to plan a wider search when one county comes up empty.
- Hendry County – borders the south and shares Caloosahatchee River history
- Highlands County – borders the north and holds lake-region records
- Okeechobee County – borders the east and shares Lake Okeechobee shoreline
- Palm Beach County – borders the southeast and holds original western shore settlements
- Charlotte County – borders the west and holds Gulf Coast family links
- Collier County – borders the southwest and holds Everglades settlement records
Contact Details for Glades County Records
You can reach the Glades County Clerk of Courts for in-person, phone, or written requests. The office holds marriage, divorce, court, probate, and land records from 1921. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds birth and death records for the whole state. Use the contact details below to start your search. Always call ahead to confirm hours and fees before you visit.
Glades County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk office sits on Avenue J in Moore Haven, the county seat. Staff answer phone questions during office hours. You can visit the office to look at records or order certified copies. The office does not hold birth or death certificates. Plan to bring a photo ID when you visit in person.
- Address: 500 Avenue J, Moore Haven, FL 33471
- Phone: (863) 946-6010
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Website: gladesclerk.com
- Records Held: marriage, divorce, probate, land, court
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Bureau sits in Jacksonville and serves all Florida counties. Staff process mail orders, online orders, and walk-in requests for birth and death certificates. The Bureau does not hold marriage or divorce records before June 6, 1927. Online orders through VitalChek are the fastest option for most researchers.
- Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Records Held: birth and death certificates statewide
- Online Orders: VitalChek network
- Phone: listed on the Florida Department of Health website
Frequently Asked Questions
Family researchers ask the same questions when they start a Glades County search. The answers below cover birth, death, marriage, census, newspaper, and free search tools. Use these answers to plan your next step. Each answer points to a record office or online tool you can use today. Read through all seven before you start your search so you save time and avoid repeat requests.
What Records Exist for Glades County?
Glades County records include marriage licenses from 1921, divorce files, probate estates, land deeds, court cases, and school board minutes. The county does not hold its own birth and death files. Those sit with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. State and federal records cover census schedules, military service, naturalization, immigration, newspapers, and cemetery files. Together, these records cover most ancestors who lived in Glades County. You can build a full family tree using a mix of local, state, and federal sources. Start with the Clerk of Court and the State Archives for the best results.
How Do I Get a Birth Certificate?
Order a Florida birth certificate through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. You can order online at VitalChek, by mail, or in person in Jacksonville. You need the full name, date of birth, county of birth, and parent names. Florida law only allows eligible family members to order a birth record less than 100 years old. Provide a photo ID and proof of relationship. Most orders arrive in two to four weeks. Online orders can arrive in five business days for an extra fee. The Bureau website lists current fees and accepted payment methods.
Are Marriage Records Before 1927 Available?
Yes. Glades County marriage records start in 1921 because the county formed that year. All licenses from 1921 forward sit at the Clerk of Court in Moore Haven. State copies begin only on June 6, 1927. Pre-1927 records exist only at the county. Each book lists the bride, groom, ages, residence, and parent names. Visit the Clerk office or order a copy by mail. A certified copy costs a small fee set by Florida statute. You can also view the books free during regular office hours.
Where Can I Find Old Newspapers Online?
Old Florida newspapers sit on three free sites and two paid sites. Free options include Florida Memory, Chronicling America, and the Internet Archive. Paid options include newspapers.com and GenealogyBank. For Glades County, search the Moore Haven News, Glades County Democrat, and the Okeechobee News. These papers cover births, deaths, weddings, accidents, and farm news. Use date range filters to narrow your results to a specific year. Save or print the pages you find for your files.
How Do I Search Census Records?
Census records cover Glades County from 1930 forward because the county formed in 1921. Earlier land sits under DeSoto County. Search the 1930, 1940, and 1950 censuses for free on FamilySearch and the National Archives site. Enter the ancestor’s name, state, and county. The 1940 and 1950 census have name indexes. Earlier years may require you to browse page by page. The 1950 census was released in 2022 and is now searchable by name on many sites. Always check neighbors on the same census page for family clues.
Can I Find Free Genealogy Records?
Yes. FamilySearch holds a large free Florida collection. The State Archives of Florida holds free scanned records and indexes. The Florida Memory site holds free newspapers, photos, and maps. Find A Grave and USGenWeb hold free cemetery readings. Public libraries in Florida offer free access to Ancestry.com and MyHeritage from library computers. Use these free tools before paying for a subscription. Many free sites have the same records as paid sites when you know how to search them well.
What If My Ancestor Was Not Born in Glades?
Search the county where the ancestor was born and lived. Birth, marriage, death, and land records sit in that county. Glades County formed in 1921 from DeSoto County. Records before 1921 for the same land sit in DeSoto County files. Always search DeSoto County if an ancestor lived in the Glades area before 1921. Search neighboring counties too, because families moved for work. Census records can tell you which counties an ancestor lived in across their lifetime.