Florida Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains a variety of church records from 1834-1997, from churches located in several counties in Florida. Some representative churches include:
 * St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Key West)
 * Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (West Palm Beach)
 * St. John's Episcopal Church (Hollywood)
 * First Presbyterian Church (Miami)
 * St. Mark's (Fort Lauderdale)
 * Holy Cross (Buena Vista)
 * St. Phillip's Church (Coral Gables)

What Can these Records Tell Me?
Church records may include:
 * Names of people
 * Dates of events
 * Locations of events
 * Names of parents
 * Name of a spouse
 * Gender
 * Residence
 * Occupation

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The place your ancestor lived
 * The denomination of the church

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use information found in the church records to search for birth, marriage or death records
 * Search land and probate records for information on the family
 * Search for the family in census records
 * If applicable, search for immigration and naturalization records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records in nearby localities
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Florida.
 * Florida Guided Research
 * Florida Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.