Genealogy Collection

The Genealogy Collection is located on the fourth floor of the Orlando Public Library. The core collection was a 1923 gift of Captain Charles Albertson, an avid genealogist. In 1929, the Library became the official repository of the Florida State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The collection now contains more than 25,000 books and bound periodicals, 10,000 microfiche and over 15,000 reels of microfilm.

Selected major sources available for use include:

Federal Census:

The Genealogy Collection at the Main Library has received the entire set of 1930 United States federal census microfilm. This is 2,667 reels of microfilm, including the population schedules for every state. These are now available for use on the fourth floor of the Main Library.

This is a wonderfully rich resource, not only for genealogists, but also for historians, sociologists, or even if you are just curious. Come and look up what you can learn about family members living in the United States in 1930.

Census Indexes:

Various years and states, mostly 1790 - 1870 (view a PDF list)

Population Schedules:

All states, 1790 to 1930

Enumeration District Descriptions:

1880 to 1930

Slave Schedules:

1850 and 1860

Special Census of Union Veterans and Widows:

1890

State Census:

Florida State Census - 1885, 1935, and 1945
California State Census - 1852
Mississippi State Census - 1792 to 1866

Florida Vital Records Indexes:

Deaths - 1877 to 1997
Marriages - 1927 to 1997
Divorces - 1927 to 1997

City Directories:

Orlando 1887 to date, and major U.S. cities pre-1860 and 1890

Orlando Births and Deaths

1910 to 1922

Passenger List Indexes:

Baltimore, Maryland - 1820 to 1897
Boston, Massachusetts - 1848 to 1891
Galveston, Texas - 1869 to 1906 and 1906 to 1951
New Orleans, Louisiana - pre-1900 and 1900 to 1952
New York, New York - 1820 to 1846 and 1897 to 1902
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 1800 to 1906

Military Records

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia

Periodicals

The following indexes are available for the Orlando Sentinel:

Subject Indexes
Bound Volumes - 1966 to 1970
Card File - 1971 to 1990s
Orlando Sentinel Online Database - 1985 to present
Obituary Indexes - 1949 to present