TAYLOR COUNTY, FL HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
*None Listed
Taylor County, Florida: A Genealogical Overview
Located in the “Big Bend” region of North Florida, Taylor County is a core part of the state’s “Nature Coast,” defined by its vast pine forests, undeveloped coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, and rich natural resources. A world away from Florida’s bustling tourist centers, its history is deeply rooted in the timber industry, fishing, and agriculture. Its largest city and county seat, Perry, serves as the hub for this rural and historically significant area.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Taylor County’s formation from a single parent county is the first step for locating the correct records for early ancestors in the region.
- 1856: County Formed: Taylor County was established on December 23, 1856, by an act of the Florida Legislature.
- Parent County: It was created entirely from the southern portion of Madison County. All records for this geographic area prior to late 1856 would be located in Madison County records.
- Subsequent County Formations: Taylor County’s boundaries have remained largely stable since its creation and it did not serve as a “mother county” for any subsequent counties.
- Name Origin: The county is named for Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States, who served as a general in Florida during the Second Seminole War.
- County Seat History: Perry was established as the county seat soon after the county’s formation and has remained the center of county government ever since.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was originally the territory of the Apalachee people. Following European contact and conflict, the area became significant territory for the Seminole people and was a theater of action during the Seminole Wars.
- Pioneer Settlement and Economy: While some settlement occurred after Florida became a U.S. territory, growth was slow until the county’s formation. The economy was built almost exclusively on the county’s immense longleaf pine forests, leading to a boom in turpentine production and lumber milling that dominated the area for a century. Commercial fishing, shrimping, and crabbing along the coast have also been mainstays of the local economy.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Taylor County.
- Courthouse:
- Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court: Located at 108 North Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32347. This office is the primary repository for county records, including probate (wills and estates), civil and criminal court cases, land records (deeds), and marriage licenses from the county’s formation.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Florida officially began in 1917, though compliance was not universal for several years. These records are held by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. For records prior to this date, researchers should check for delayed birth certificates with the Clerk of Court, or consult church records, family bibles, and newspapers.
- Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1856 to the present are held by the Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
- Taylor County Historical Society: Located at 401 East Main Street, Perry, FL 32347. This is a crucial resource for local history, photographs, and family research files.
- Taylor County Public Library: Located in Perry, this library maintains a local history collection.
- State Archives of Florida: (Located in nearby Tallahassee) This is the most significant repository for Florida genealogy, holding state-level records, Confederate pension applications, military records, and microfilm copies of many county records.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Jefferson County, FL
- Madison County, FL
- Lafayette County, FL
- Dixie County, FL