WEBSITES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

(Source of picture: Online Florida Photographic Collection, Florida State Archives)

America was mired in the Great Depression, but that didn't dampen many people's patriotism.  This photo was snapped in Jacksonville on October 1, 1934.  It shows two kids and someone named "Mrs. Jenkins."  The image was colorized by the website manager.

This section focuses on places & websites that could jumpstart your research!

• BLACKSONVILLE.COM -- Very helpful website.  Locates key resources concerning the African American experience in Northeast Florida.  Includes info about local African American history & Southern family roots. 

• FAMILY HISTORY CENTER TOUR -- Informative virtual tour of a Family History Center.  Conducted by Edie Mixon, a First Coast genealogist.  From "Treasure Maps: The How-to Genealogy Site."  BACKGROUND INFO: The Mormon Church operates hundreds of Family History Centers worldwide.  These include several in the Jacksonville area.  Click here for a list.  Genealogy research would prove much more difficult if the Church had not collected its vast store of data.

• FLORIDA HERITAGE COLLECTION -- An online library.  Offers over 620 Florida history items in their entirety.  More than 90,000 pages total.  Are from books, letters, diaries, maps, business records, etc.  Many of these sources have to do with Jacksonville.  Were placed on the Web by the University Libraries of the State University System of Florida. 

• FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION  -- More than 85,000 Florida images online!  Range from 15th Century maps to current photographs.  Over 5,000 of the images are Jacksonville related.  Can search by keywords, and can sort by date.  The most complete online portrait of Florida that's available.  Furnished by the Florida State Archives.

• FORT CAROLINE NATIONAL MEMORIAL -- This historical attraction is located on the St. Johns River, between downtown Jax & the ocean.  Features a "interpretive model" of Fort Caroline, a French stronghold.  Model is large enough to roam through.  Also provided is an interesting visitors center.  A must-see for those interested in Jacksonville's colonial & Native American past.

• JACKSONVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- The River City's largest historical organization.  Operates an outstanding local history archives.  Among many other achievements, the Society has preserved two historic showcases, the Merrill House & the Old St. Andrews Episcopal Church.  Also maintains the interesting Jacksonville Historical Center on the Southbank downtown.

• JACKSONVILLE MARITIME MUSEUM SOCIETY -- Offers a boatload of info about the nautical history of the First Coast.

• JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM WEBSITE -- Lots of info & links.  Includes descriptions of the Main Library's Florida Collection & Genealogy Collection.

• JACKSONVILLE.COM   -- Award-winning website from the Florida Times-Union.  Offers online newspaper stories that date back to January 1997.  A ton of history articles!  Website is a real community asset.  NOTE: Many of the history & genealogy articles are organized & linked by JacksonvilleStory.com.

• MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY (MOSH) WEBSITE -- Gives info about the MOSH's "Currents of Time" exhibit.  Is an incredible trip through 12,000 years of Jax history.  Ranks as Florida's most extensive exhibition of regional history. According to the MOSH, "Come face-to-face with the ancient Timucua Indians... run for your life in the great fire... fly through a World War 2 Navy hangar... visit a '50s house and much, much more!"  Website also tells about the fascinating Maple Leaf display at the MOSH.  Exhibit reveals the story of a Civil War steamship that was lost & found in the St. Johns River.  It includes artifacts & remains from the vessel.

• RITZ THEATER & LaVILLA MUSEUM -- Homepage for the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum, an outstanding African American cultural center.  It also serves as an essential source of information about the history of the local African American community.  Contact info furnished by the City of Jacksonville.

• SOUTHERN GENEALOGIST EXCHANGE SOCIETY (SGES) -- Homepage for an information treasure trove.  NOTE: The SGES is based in Jacksonville.

• WJCT POSTCARD COLLECTION -- A treat for the eyes:  Several hundred online Jacksonville postcards!  Date from 1901 to the mid-1900s.  Depict buildings & street scenes, among other things.  Provided by WJCT in Jacksonville.

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