Lee County, Florida Genealogy
Guide to Lee County, Florida ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Robert E. Lee, general in the American Civil War.[2] The County is located in the Southwest area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Lee County Courthouse
2115 2nd St;
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 941-335-2283
Lee County Website
Clerk Circuit Court has marriage, divorce, probate court and land records.
Lee County, Florida Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1899 | 1880s | 1899 | unknown | 1887 | 1899 | 1830 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1890 | 1,414 | — |
| 1900 | 3,071 | 117.2% |
| 1910 | 6,294 | 104.9% |
| 1920 | 9,540 | 51.6% |
| 1930 | 14,990 | 57.1% |
| 1940 | 17,488 | 16.7% |
| 1950 | 23,404 | 33.8% |
| 1960 | 54,539 | 133.0% |
| 1970 | 105,216 | 92.9% |
| 1980 | 205,266 | 95.1% |
| 1990 | 335,113 | 63.3% |
| 2000 | 440,888 | 31.6% |
| 2010 | 618,754 | 40.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For tips on accessing census records online, see: Florida Census.
- 1783 - Spanish Census USGenWeb
- 1821 - Census/Tax List Index USGenWeb
- 1823 - Census/Tax List Index USGenWeb
- 1880 - Census African Born Blacks and Mulattos USGenWeb
- 1885 Florida State Population Census includes sex, age, relationship, occupation, place of birth of each family member and parents. Also census for agriculture, manufacture and mortality. - How to Use this Collection
- 1935 1935 Florida State Census at MyHeritage - index ($))
- Federal Census Information from National Archives USGenWeb
- State Census Information from Florida State Archives USGenWeb
- Census of Pensioners Revolutionary Military Service USGenWeb
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Florida denominations, view the Florida Church Records wiki page.
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
African American
- AAGriots African American Griots Project
- Afrigeneas - African Genealogy
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- A Peaceful Garden Funeral Home in Fort Myers
- Akin Davis Funeral Homes in Fort Myers
- Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society in Fort Myers
- Barrett-McKenzie Funeral Home, Inc. in Fort Myers
- Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Coral Ridge Cemetery in Cape Coral
- Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery in Fort Myers
- Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services in Cape Coral
- Gallaher American Family Funeral Home in Fort Myers
- Gendron Funeral and Cremation Services Inc. in Fort Myers
- Harvey-Engelhardt Funeral and Cremation Services in Fort Myers
- Hickson Funeral Home, Inc. in Fort Myers
- Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park in Fort Myers
- Hodges-Kiser Funeral Home in Fort Myers
- James C. Boyd Funeral Home in Fort Myers
- Lee County Cremation Services in Cape Coral and Fort Myers
- Mortuary Services of Florida in Fort Myers
- Mullins Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fort Myers
- Neptune Society of Fort Myers in Fort Myers
- Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home in Bonita Springs
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Florida Land and Property for additional information about early Florida land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.
Florida Territorial Land Records
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for most counties. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories see the wiki page section Florida Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- 1821-1997 Maps of Florida
- 1870 Gray's Atlas Panhandle Portion of StateUSGenWeb
- 1882 Rand McNally Panhandle Portion of StateUSGenWeb
- Lee County Florida maps University of Southern Florida.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- Lee County Military Records (USGenWeb Archives)
- Florida State Military Files USGenWeb
- Florida state pension records from various wars Pension Transcriptions USGenWeb
Civil War
- 1861-1865 - Florida Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 - Florida Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry (free)
- 1861-1865 - U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry (free)
- 1885-1955 - Florida Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1885-1955 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
World War I
- 1917-1918 - Lee County Civilian Draft Registration (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1917-1920 - Florida, World War I Navy Card Roster, 1917-1920 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
World War II
- 1940-1945 - Florida, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- Lee County World War II Army Enlistees, Names Abram - Evans (USGenWeb Archives)
- Lee County World War II Army Enlistees, Names Farabee - Kurtz (USGenWeb Archives)
- Lee County World War II Army Enlistees, Names Lamb - Rutledge (USGenWeb Archives)
- Lee County World War II Army Enlistees, Names Sadler - Yuhant (USGenWeb Archives)
Korean War
- Lee County Korean War Casualties (Genealogy Trails)
- Florida Casualties in the Korean Conflict distantcousin.com
Vietnam War
- Lee County Vietnam War Casualties (Genealogy Trails)
- Distantcousin.com Florida Casualties in the Vietnam War
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- Florida Digital Newspaper Library at George A. Smathers Libraries
- News-Press
2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Telephone: 239-335-0200 - Microfilm for the Fort Myers News-Press from 1884 to the present can be found at the Fort Myers Regional Library
2450 First Street
Fort Myers, Florida 33901 - USGenWeb Archives Early Florida Newspapers at the Florida State Library
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Florida Obituaries USGenWeb Archives Obituary transcriptions from Florida counties
- 1930 and 1997 - Obituary Index Online searchable database. Lee County Genealogical Society volunteers will be happy to help you with your request for an obituary copy.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Voting Records[edit | edit source]
1885-1909 - "Voter Registration Records, Town of Fort Myers and Lee County, Florida 1885-1909". A limited printing was done with copies being donated to the Fort Myers Regional Library, the Southwest Florida Museum of History, the Southwest Florida Historical Society, the State Library of Florida, and the Lee County Genealogical Society.
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Indexes and Records
- 1784-1990 Florida Probate Records, 1784-1990(*) at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images
- 1827-1950 Florida, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1827-1950 at Ancestry ($)
- 1889-1925 Wills and Probates, 1889-1925(*); County Judge's Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1913-1928 Letters Testamentary, 1913-1928(*); County Judge's Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Taxes were levied on free white males over 21 and slaves aged 21 to 60. These persons are referred to as "polls." Tax listings, or digests, of a county generally list the taxable landowners and other polls and the amount of tax. The records for each county are divided by militia district. For more information see the wiki page Florida Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Florida State Archives, or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1880-1935 - Florida, Births and Christenings, 1880-1935 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1802-1998 - Florida, United States Marriages at Findmypast $
- 1822-1875 and 1927 - 2001 - Florida, Marriage Index, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1830-1957 - Florida, County Marriages, 1830-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1830-1993 - Florida, Marriages, 1830-1993 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1837-1974 - Florida, Marriages, 1837-1974 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1887-1924 - Lee County, Florida Marriages 1887-1924 (Lee County Genealogical Society)
- Collier County Marriages (Florida GenWeb Project)
- 1970 - 1999 Florida, Marriages, 1970 - 1999 at MyHeritage - index ($))
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1877-1939 - Florida, Deaths, 1877-1939 at FamilySearch- How to Use this Collection
- 1877-1998 - Florida, Death Index, 1877-1998 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1900-1921 - Florida, Deaths and Burials, 1900-1921 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1927-2001 Florida, Divorce Index, 1927-2001 at Ancestry - index $
- 1970 - 1999 Florida, Divorces, 1970 - 1999 at MyHeritage - index ($))
Voter Records[edit | edit source]
- 1867-1868 Web: Florida, U.S., Voter Registration Rolls, 1867-1868 at Ancestry - index ($)
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Lee County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Florida Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Fort Myers Regional Library
2450 First Street
Ft Myers FL 33901
Phone: 239-533-4626
website
- As of December 2017, The Fort Myers Regional Library has been upgraded to the status of a Family History Library Affiliate.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Lee County. For state-wide library facilities, see Florida Archives and Libraries.
Fort Myers Regional Library
2450 First Street
Ft Myers Florida 33901
Phone: 239-533-4626
website
- The Lee County Library System has 14 libraries and branches throughout the county. Visit the main library website for locations and address's.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Lee County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Florida Societies.
Lee County Genealogical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 60732
Fort Myers, FL 33906
E-mail: GenHelp@LCGSFL.org
Website
Southwest Florida Historical Society
PO Box 1381
Fort Myers, FL 33902-1381
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
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- Lee County (FLGenWeb)
- State of Florida
- Lee County, Florida (USGenWeb Archives)
- Lee County, Florida Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Lee County (FLGenWeb Project, Inc.)
- My Florida Roots
- Lee County, Florida (Genealogy Trails)
- Lee County FL Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Florida.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Lee County, Florida Genealogy and History”, genealogy trails accessed 04/25/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lee County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, wikipedia 04/25/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Florida.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Florida.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lee County, Florida," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, wikipedia accessed 26 January 2019.
