FRANKLIN COUNTY, FL HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Franklin County, Florida: A Genealogical Overview

Located on the Florida Panhandle in a region known as the “Forgotten Coast,” Franklin County is a coastal area defined by the Apalachicola Bay, pristine beaches, and vast nature preserves. Its character is deeply tied to the maritime world, renowned for its oyster and fishing industries. Its history encompasses Native American settlement, a boom-and-bust cycle as a major antebellum cotton port, and a resilient economy based on the natural resources of the sea and forests.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Franklin County’s formation and its role as a “mother county” to another is critical for locating the correct records for ancestors in the region.

  • 1832: County Formed: Franklin County was established on February 8, 1832, by an act of the Florida Territorial Legislative Council.
  • Parent County: It was created from the southern portion of Gadsden County. Records for settlers in this area prior to 1832 would be located in Gadsden County records.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Franklin County’s boundaries were later partitioned. In 1838, a small eastern part was contributed to the formation of Wakulla County. More significantly, in 1925, the entire western portion of the county was split off to create Gulf County. Researchers with ancestors in areas like Port St. Joe or Wewahitchka must search Gulf County records after 1925.
  • Name Origin: The county is named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
  • County Seat History: The county seat has been Apalachicola since the county’s inception in 1832.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was historically the territory of the Apalachee people. Following their decline, the area was inhabited or utilized by groups of Creek (Muscogee) peoples, some of whom were ancestors to the Florida Seminoles.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The port city of Apalachicola was a strategic location under Spanish and British rule. American settlement surged after Florida became a U.S. territory. In the 1830s through the 1850s, Apalachicola became the third-largest cotton shipping port on the Gulf of Mexico, with cotton floated down the Apalachicola River from Georgia and Alabama. After the Civil War, the economy shifted dramatically to timber (cypress logging) and the seafood industry, especially harvesting the world-famous Apalachicola Bay oysters, which remains a cornerstone of the local culture and economy.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Franklin County.

  • Courthouse: Franklin County Clerk of Court: Located at 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320. This office is the primary repository for county records including probate (wills and estates), civil and criminal court cases, marriage licenses, and land records (deeds) from the county’s formation.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Florida began consistently in 1917, with some earlier records existing. These official certificates are held by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. For deaths or births prior to this, researchers should consult church records, cemetery listings, and newspapers.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1832 to the present are held by the Franklin County Clerk of Court.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Franklin County Public Library: Has branches in Apalachicola and Carrabelle, both with local history materials.
    • Apalachicola Area Historical Society: Located in Apalachicola, this is a crucial resource for local history, photographs, and family research.
    • State Archives of Florida: (Located in Tallahassee) This is the central repository for historical records in Florida and an essential resource for any serious researcher. It holds microfilm of county records, maps, and state-level documents.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Gulf County, FL
    • Liberty County, FL
    • Wakulla County, FL

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks