The following important events in the history of Florida affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movement.

1565	The Spanish founded St. Augustine, the first permanent white settlement in what is now the United States. Pensacola was founded by the Spanish in 1698, but there was little significant European settlement in Florida until the late eighteenth century.
1763	At the close of the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War), Britain gained control of Florida. Settlers from Europe and the American colonies to the north began to move into the area. The provinces of East Florida and West Florida were formed.
1783	Most of the British settlers left when Spain regained the Floridas.
1812	The United States annexed portions of West Florida to Louisiana and to the Mississippi Territory.
1819	Spain ceded the remainder of West Florida and all of East Florida to the United States. Official United States occupation took place in 1821, and Florida was organized as a territory in 1822.
1842	At the close of the Seminole Wars, most of the Indians were removed west to present-day Oklahoma, but a few hundred escaped into the swamps.
1845	Florida became a state.
1861	Florida seceded from the Union. It was readmitted in 1868.
1870-1900	The post-Civil War boom brought many settlers to Florida, as developers from the North built railroads and resorts.
1921-1925	The last 13 of the state's 67 counties were organized as the Florida land boom attracted new settlers from the north.