Miramar City Florida genealogy records help people trace family roots in one of South Florida’s fastest-growing cities. These records include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, census data, cemetery files, and property deeds.
Most files sit at the Broward County level, but Florida state archives also hold key Miramar history. Researchers can search many of these records online for free through FamilySearch, the Florida State Archives, and the Broward County Clerk of Courts website.
Miramar City Background for Genealogy Research
Miramar sits in Broward County, Florida, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The city grew from dairy farms and open land into a large suburban area after World War II. A. B. Cord and the Kramer family started the first homes in the 1950s. Many early residents moved from northern states for jobs and warm weather. Others came from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe. This mix of backgrounds makes Miramar genealogy records rich and varied.
When Miramar Was Founded
Miramar was a planned community in the early 1950s. Developer A. B. Cord and partner Clyde Andrews broke ground in 1953. The city held its first election in 1954. Miramar officially became a city on May 26, 1955. Because the area was empty farmland before that, most local records start after 1955. Any family records from before 1955 will fall under broader Broward County history.
Population Growth and Migration Patterns
Miramar grew fast from about 5,000 residents in 1960 to more than 140,000 today. Early settlers came mostly from New York, New Jersey, and the Midwest. During the 1980s and 1990s, many families arrived from Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. More recent arrivals include families from Colombia, Venezuela, and West Africa. This means Miramar genealogy research often points back to other states or countries.
Vital Records for Miramar Families
Vital records are the building blocks of family history. In Florida, these include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Broward County also keeps its own marriage and divorce files. Knowing where to look saves hours of search time.
Birth Records in Miramar
Florida birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. Only the person named, their parents, or legal heirs can order a copy. Birth records more than 100 years old become public. The Florida Department of Health keeps all state birth files from 1917 onward. Researchers can order older birth certificates by mail or online through the Florida Health website. Each certified copy costs a small fee.
Death Records and Certificates
Florida death records are open after 50 years. The Florida State Archives holds death certificates from 1877 to the present. Free indexes let you search by name, year, and county. You can view scanned images of older death records through FamilySearch. Death records show the person’s age, birth date, parents’ names, and burial location. These details often break through brick walls in family trees.
Marriage and Divorce Files
Broward County marriage licenses go back to 1915. The Broward County Clerk of Courts keeps these records. You can search the clerk’s online database from home. Each license shows the bride and groom, ages, birthplaces, and sometimes parents’ names. Divorce records from the county circuit court show marriage dates and children. Older files are at the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee.
Census Records for Miramar and Broward County
Census records track every person living in a household every 10 years. They show names, ages, birthplaces, and occupations. Federal census records for Florida go back to 1830. Florida also took state censuses in 1885, 1935, and 1945. These state counts fill gaps between federal census years.
Federal Census Records
Federal census records for Miramar start in 1960. Before that, the area was part of unincorporated Broward County. The 1940 and 1950 census show rural residents and farm families. The 1960 census captures the first wave of new homeowners. You can view all federal census images free on FamilySearch. Ancestry.com also has full indexes and search tools.
Florida State Census Records
Florida state census records are a hidden treasure. The 1935 state census was taken during the Great Depression. It lists every household in Broward County. The 1945 state census captures the area right before Miramar was built. These records are at the Florida State Archives. Scanned images sit on FamilySearch under Florida, State Census collection.
Broward County Government Records
Most Miramar records sit at the county level. The Broward County Clerk of Courts keeps marriage, divorce, probate, and court records. The Broward County Property Appraiser holds land deeds and tax files. The Broward County Historical Commission collects photos, papers, and local history items.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Clerk of Courts office is at 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. The clerk keeps all county marriage licenses from 1915 to today. Online search tools let you check names, dates, and case numbers. Probate records, civil cases, and criminal files are also online. Many records go back to 1915 when Broward County first formed. You can order certified copies by mail or in person.
Property and Land Records
The Broward County Property Appraiser keeps land records from the county’s start in 1915. Property files track who owned each lot, when it sold, and what it was worth. The original Miramar platted land starts in the early 1950s. Early deeds show who bought the first homes from A. B. Cord and the Kramer family. These records help trace pioneers of the city.
Broward County Historical Commission
The Broward County Historical Commission keeps local photos, oral histories, and papers. The office sits in the Broward County Main Library in Fort Lauderdale. The commission holds scrapbooks, maps, and newspaper clippings about Miramar. Researchers can visit by appointment. Some items are scanned and posted on the county’s history website.
Libraries and Archives Near Miramar
Libraries near Miramar offer free genealogy tools and trained staff. The Broward County Library Miramar Branch is the closest option. The Florida State Library and Archives in Tallahassee holds the largest Florida history collection. The Miami-Dade Public Library also has a strong genealogy section.
Broward County Library Miramar Branch
The Miramar Branch Library sits at 2050 Civic Center Place. Library staff help with basic genealogy questions. Library computers give free access to Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest. These databases have census records, military files, and immigration lists. The library also keeps city directories, local history books, and microfilmed newspapers. You can get a free library card with proof of Florida address.
Florida State Library and Archives
The Florida State Library and Archives is in Tallahassee at 500 South Bronough Street. The archives hold colonial Spanish records, territorial papers, state census files, and military records. Researchers can visit the reading room Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Many records are online at the Florida Memory website. You can also request copies by mail.
Online Genealogy Databases
Online databases make Miramar research faster. FamilySearch is free for everyone. Ancestry.com and MyHeritage require paid subscriptions. Some libraries offer free library access to these paid sites. Knowing which database has which records saves time.
FamilySearch Free Records
FamilySearch.org is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site offers free Florida birth, marriage, death, and census records. You can build a family tree and share it with other researchers. FamilySearch has Broward County marriage indexes and death certificate images. The site also holds Florida state census records from 1885, 1935, and 1945.
Ancestry.com Records
Ancestry.com is the largest paid genealogy website. It holds all U.S. federal census records from 1790 to 1950. The site also has Florida newspapers, immigration records, and military files. Ancestry Library Edition is free at most public libraries. World Explorer memberships add records from the Caribbean, Europe, and South America. Many Miramar families came from these regions.
Cemetery and Obituary Records
Cemeteries hold birth and death dates from headstones. Obituaries name surviving family members. Both records fill gaps in vital files. South Florida cemeteries are often full and well-documented. Volunteers have photographed most graves in the area.
Local Cemeteries Near Miramar
Miramar has a few local cemeteries, but most Miramar families are buried across South Florida. Woodlawn Park Cemetery in Miami holds many early Miramar residents. Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Fort Lauderdale is another common site. These cemeteries have office staff who can help locate graves. Online tools like Find A Grave and BillionGraves show headstone photos and dates.
Historical Newspapers
South Florida newspapers carry birth notices, wedding stories, and obituaries. The Sun Sentinel has covered Broward County since 1915. The Miami Herald covers the region since 1903. Older papers include the Fort Lauderdale News and the Daily News. Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank have large Florida newspaper archives. The Broward County Library has microfilm of the Sun Sentinel.
Ethnic and Cultural Genealogy Records
Miramar has strong cultural roots in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. Each group has its own record trail. Many Miramar families trace back to Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, or Puerto Rico. African American families in Miramar often have deep roots in the rural South.
African American Genealogy in Miramar
African American genealogy in Miramar often points to the rural South. Freedmen’s Bureau records, slave schedules, and plantation papers help trace earlier lines. The 1870 and 1880 federal census are key starting points. The Broward County African American Research Library and Cultural Center holds local Black history files. Churches in Miramar also keep baptism and marriage records.
Haitian and Caribbean Records
Miramar has one of the largest Haitian populations in the United States. Haitian genealogy research often starts with U.S. immigration records, naturalization files, and church records in Haiti. The National Archives has passenger arrival lists from Miami ports. The Haitian American Historical Society in Miami keeps oral histories and family papers. French-language records from Haiti can sit at the Archives Nationales d’Haïti.
Hispanic and Spanish Colonial Records
Some Miramar families trace back to Cuba, Puerto Rico, or other Spanish-speaking lands. Spanish colonial records for Florida start in the 1500s. The Florida State Archives holds Spanish colonial papers from St. Augustine and Pensacola. Records from Cuba and Puerto Rico are in those islands’ national archives. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami keeps parish records for South Florida.
Military and Federal Records
Military records show service history, rank, and discharge dates. Federal records include immigration, naturalization, and land grant files. The National Archives at Atlanta holds federal records for Florida. Many files are now online.
National Archives Records
The National Archives at Atlanta covers federal records for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and the Caribbean. The archive holds military service records, pension files, and naturalization papers. You can visit the research room in Morrow, Georgia. Many records are also online through the National Archives Catalog. Confederate pension records for Florida sit at the Florida State Archives.
U.S. Military Service Records
Military records show a soldier’s unit, battles, and discharge. The National Archives holds Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps files. WWII draft registration cards are online at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. Confederate service records for Florida units are at the Florida State Archives. Spanish-American War, WWI, and Korea records are also available.
Miramar City and County Contact Details
The Miramar City Hall sits at 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL 33025. The city phone number is (954) 602-HELP. City Hall opens Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Broward County Clerk of Courts is at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The clerk’s office phone is (954) 831-6565. The Florida State Archives is at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The archives phone is (850) 245-6719. The Broward County Library Miramar Branch sits at 2050 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL 33025. The branch phone is (954) 357-8090.
Tips for Successful Miramar Genealogy Research
Start your search with what you already know. Write down names, dates, and places from family papers and old photos. Check home sources like Bibles, letters, and funeral programs. Move from there to public records. Start with federal census records on FamilySearch. Search Broward County marriage records online. Look for obituaries in the Sun Sentinel. Join local genealogy groups for tips and shared research.
FAQ About Miramar Florida Genealogy Records
People researching Miramar families often ask similar questions. The answers below cover common points about records, fees, and access. Use these answers as a starting point for deeper research.
Where can I find free Miramar birth records?
Florida birth records less than 100 years old are sealed. Birth records more than 100 years old sit at the Florida State Archives. You can search free indexes on FamilySearch and the Florida Memory website. You can also order older birth certificates by mail from the Florida Department of Health for a small fee. The Florida State Archives website has research guides that list exact record years and locations.
How do I trace Haitian ancestors who settled in Miramar?
Start with U.S. immigration records and naturalization files. Search passenger arrival lists from Miami ports on Ancestry.com. Check Haitian church and civil records at the Archives Nationales d’Haïti in Port-au-Prince. The Haitian American Historical Society in Miami also has oral histories and family papers. Use French-language genealogy sites like Geneanet and Filae for older Haitian records.
Are Miramar land records available online?
Yes, many Broward County land records sit on the Property Appraiser website. The Broward County Clerk of Courts also has an online records search. You can search by name, parcel number, or address. Older deeds from the 1910s and 1920s are scanned and free to view. For certified copies, order through the clerk’s office by mail or in person.
What newspapers help with Miramar family research?
The Sun Sentinel is the main paper for Broward County. The Miami Herald covers the wider South Florida area. Both papers have birth notices, wedding stories, and obituaries going back many years. Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank have searchable Florida newspaper archives. The Broward County Library has microfilm of older papers. The Florida State Archives also keeps a large newspaper collection.
Can I view Broward County probate records online?
Yes, the Broward County Clerk of Courts has an online case search. You can look up probate files by name and year. Older files from the early 1900s are scanned and viewable from home. For files that are not yet scanned, visit the clerk’s office in Fort Lauderdale or order copies by mail. Each certified copy has a small fee.
How do I find African American records in Miramar?
Start with federal census records from 1870 onward. Freedmen’s Bureau records on FamilySearch help trace formerly enslaved ancestors. The Broward County African American Research Library holds local Black history files. Church records from AME and Baptist churches are key sources. The Florida State Archives also has African American history collections.
What is the best free website for Miramar genealogy?
FamilySearch.org is the strongest free site for Miramar research. It holds Florida birth, marriage, death, and census records. The Florida Memory site from the Florida State Archives is another strong free resource. The Broward County Clerk of Courts has free online access to marriage and court records. Use all three sites together for the best results.