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Digital Collections Blog Logo

Explore Your Family Roots
Surname Files Now Available in the Digital Collections

10/03/24

Genealogy, the study of family history and ancestry, allows you to trace the connections and lineages between generations of distant families and relatives, unveiling how people are linked through time. Whether you're uncovering untold family stories, researching the meaning behind your last name or piecing together an extensive lineage, genealogy is a fascinating journey into the past.

At the heart of this exploration, the Miami-Dade Public Library System's Special Collections and Archives Division curates an expansive Genealogy Collection. This rich resource contains more than 27,000 publications and 35,000 microfilm units, covering nearly all major U.S. cities, states and territories, alongside a growing international section. The collection offers a wealth of materials for both seasoned genealogists and beginners looking to explore their heritage.

Several families have even donated their own self-published newsletters, family trees and other personal records to the Library's collection, creating an invaluable archive of family surnames. The Surname Files, a special series within the Genealogy Collection, preserves these records, offering unique insight into family histories and their commemorated surname crests.

While the Genealogy Collection is stored at Main Library, the digitized Surname Files provide an exciting opportunity to explore rich genealogical records from the convenience of your home – for free!

Whether you're just beginning your family research or looking to expand on it, the Surname Files offer a valuable starting point. Other available genealogy resources include the Miami-Dade Obituary Index, Family Search and the Ancestry Library database.

Visit our Digital Collection to explore the newly available Surname Files and begin your journey into the past today!