Many people know they can search YouTube for genealogy related videos, to help with specific problems or learn new techniques. I recently learned the Florida Bureau of Library Development has a YouTube channel with many great videos for genealogy, and they’ve created a playlist! In addition to the FBLD, the Florida Memory Project as well as the State Library of Florida have their own YouTube channels with a variety of videos to help you with your Florida research.
Florida Bureau of Library Development
According to their description on YouTube, The Bureau of Library Development in the Florida Department of State supports the establishment, expansion and improvement of public library service in Florida within the context of the larger library community by working proactively with library staff, governing officials, trustees and community supporters. Not all of their videos are genealogy related but they have provided a playlist to help filter their videos in to sections.
This playlist includes these videos:
- Getting Started in Genealogy and Local Histories
- General Reference for Genealogy
- Bringing Genealogy and Local History into the Classroom
- Using Land Documents in Genealogy
- Using Business Research in Genealogy
- Documenting the Troops Military Records on Florida Memory and at the State Archives
- Genealogy and local History in the Meek Eaton Black Archives
- Learning More About Your Ancestor’s Occupation
- Researching Ghost Towns
- Researching Historic of Ghost Buildings
- Unusual Sources for Genealogy
- Preserving Your Family Papers
- Researching the Lives of Enslaved Ancestors
- Top State Archives Resources for Florida Counties and Communities
- Documenting Death and Burial in Family History Research
State Library of Florida
The State Library of Florida collects, preserves and makes available the published history of Florida. Their extensive holdings represent one of the most comprehensive collections about Florida and Floridians. They house historical records, maps, photographs, newspapers and legal records as well as an extensive collection of books dedicated to Florida genealogy. They are located in the R.A. Gray Building, at Capitol Hill, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Their YouTube channel, while not extensively related to genealogy, is related to reference and can help build research skills. Listed below are some must watch videos, especially if you are planning a trip to the State Library of Florida:
- Getting to Know Your State Library, Part 1 Services for State Agency Employees
- Getting to Know the State Library of Florida, Part 2: Florida’s Published History
- Researching the Laws of Florida
- Newspapers at the State Library of Florida
- Searching in the State Library Catalog
- Find It Like a Librarian: Online Research Strategies from the State Library of Florida
While many of the videos above are directed toward state employees, the information is the same for researchers. You can visit the website at Division of Library and Information Services.
Florida Memory
Florida Memory is a beautiful website dedicated to digitizing materials that highlight the state’s history and culture. Many of the items are original records, photographs and other materials from the collections of the state Library and Archives of Florida. Click here to visit the Florida Memory website.
The YouTube videos for the Florida Memory represent the history of Florida. If you’re researching in Florida, it’s good to know the history of the areas you are researching, boundary changes and name changes.
Here are some playlists from Florida Memory:
About YouTube
The best way to use YouTube is to have an account. YouTube has many features, like subscriptions, history and the ability to mark videos to watch later. Each YouTube channel will allow subscriptions and notifications of new videos. This makes using YouTube and keeping up with new videos a breeze!
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