Genealogy is an interesting and rewarding hobby.  When you map out your family tree, you provide historical, medical, social and ethnic background for yourself and your relatives. 

Census Records

The Miami-Dade Public Library (Main) has indexes for all published national censuses (i.e., through 1920) as well as detailed census records for all states.

City Directories

There are also City Directories through the early 1900s for most major cities, as well as Miami and Miami Beach City Directories from the 1930s through mid-1970s.  Bressler's reverse directories also exist for some years, along with some Miami-area telephone directories on microfilm.

Fort Lauderdale also has City Directories for many cities throughout Florida, with various years represented.

Florida Marriage, Divorce and Death Indexes

The Miami-Dade Public Library (Main) has indexes on microfiche for statewide Marriages, Divorces and Deaths.  The mid-1930s through 1991 can be found in this collection.

Marriage and Death Certificates

A Marriage License office in downtown Miami provides copies of marriage license applications for a fee.  Close to downtown, the Department of Health furnishes death certificates on immediate family. 

Reference Accounts