All Brevard County Public Libraries will be closed Monday, November 11, 2024 for Veteran's Day.

As of November 29, 2024, Brevard County Public Libraries will no longer provide access to the Chilton's online database ChiltonLibrary.

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The Catherine Schweinsberg Rood Central Library Genealogy Department and the Brevard County Historical Archives are currently available by appointment only. Please call (321) 633-1792 for assistance.

Genealogy and Family History

Among the 17 Brevard County Libraries, there are three with genealogy collections that are available to the public for in-library use during regular library hours.

The Brevard County Historical Commission is housed at the Catherine Schweinsberg Rood Central Library Genealogy Department. Call (321) 633-1794 for an appointment.

The Titusville Public Library and the Melbourne Public Library both have genealogy rooms staffed by volunteers from the local genealogy societies at various times.

The Catherine Schweinsberg Rood Central Library in Cocoa has the largest collection, which began in 1989 when the Brevard Genealogical Society was given room to house their materials. In 2002, Brevard Community College (now known as Eastern Florida State College, donated the entire contents of their genealogy collection to the then Brevard County Central Library and Reference Center. The Central Library's Genealogy Department is staffed Monday through Friday, 9 AM-5 PM and offers the assistance of an experienced genealogist. It is housed on the second floor of the library along with the Brevard County Historical Commission.

The collection includes the county's earliest newspapers as well as the early Brevard County Courthouse records. Materials from the library's collection are not available on interlibrary loan but are loaned to other branches within the system. The library also offers classes on various genealogical topics and hosts the Brevard Genealogical Society's extensive Beginning Genealogy Class.

You may contact the Genealogy Department at (321) 633-1794.

Ancestry Databases

Ancestry Library Edition - Census data, family records, local histories, tax lists, city directories, land and probate records, birth, marriage and death records, etc.

* Because of licensing restrictions, this database is only accessible on site at our Brevard County Library locations. You can access via either library computers or by logging into library wi-fi with your personal device.

Genealogy and Archives Hours
DayHours
SundayClosed
Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SaturdayClosed

Please call (321) 633-1794 before visiting to make sure the Genealogy Department and staff will be available.

Popular Genealogy Websites

Printed Genealogy Resources

Sources for local research:

Brevard County is currently in the process of implementing changes to increase the accessibility of information and documents on its website.  If you require assistance to better access these documents or information contained therein please contact the County’s ADA Coordinator by phone at (321) 637-5347 or by email at ADACompliance@BrevardFL.gov

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