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Sumter County, Florida
Genealogy, History & Facts

Sumter County, Florida Facts

When was Sumter County, FL Created?
Sumter County was created on January 8, 1853 from Marion County. This county was named for Thomas Sumter (1734–1832), general in the American Revolution.

What is the County Seat of Sumter County, FL?
The County Seat is located in Bushnell also, the county government website is sumtercountyfl.gov/.

What counties are adjacent to Sumters County, FL?
Bordering Counties are Marion CountyLake CountyPolk CountyPasco CountyCitrus CountyHernando County.

What cities and towns are in Sumter County, FL?
Cities and towns located in the County include Bushnell, Center Hill, Coleman, Webster, Wildwood.

Sumter County, FL Vital Records

Where can find Sumter County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Sumter County vital records can be found at the Florida Office of Vital Records which has copies of Birth & Deaths reported 1917 to present and Divorce & Marriages since June 6, 1927. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Florida for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Sumter County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Florida Birth CertificateMarriage CertificateDivorce CertificateDeath Certificate Applications to mail.

Vital Records can also be found in the Sumter County Health Department has copies of Birth & Death certificates. Also has computer access from 1917 to present for birth records for the entire state as well as births that occurred in this county.

Sumter County, FL Census Records


What Sumter County, FL census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Sumter County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Sumter Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Sumter Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Sumter Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. The Slave Schedules exist for 1860.

There are Florida State censuses from 1867, 1875, 1885, 1935, 1945. You can get free downloadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Florida Census Records Research Guide

Sumter County, FL Courthouse and Government Records

Sumter County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Sumter County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Sumter County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Florida Corthouse Records Research Guide.

  • Sumter County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: P.O. Box 2587, Bushnell, FL 33513 or 215 E. McCollum Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513
  • Sumter County Clerk of the Circuit Court / County Clerk is custodian of all records of all predecessor courts, whether justice of the peace, city, county, probate, civil, or criminal.
    • Phone: (352) 569-6600
    • Marriage Records: 1853
    • Land Records: 1854
    • Probate Records: 1856
    • Court Records: 1853
  • Sumter County Tax Collector collects all real estate taxes including postponed and delinquent, all county revenues in addition to the research and issue tax deed applications. Our department is the holder of tax records and assessed values.
  • Florida Land Records
  • BLM Land Records

Sumter County, FL Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Sumter County, FL?
A list of Sumter County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Florida Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Sumter County, FL Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Sumter County, FL?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Sumter County. A lot of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a fee. This is just a directory which has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site over another.

Sumter Co. FL Books, Newspapers & Publications

Sumter Co. FL Cemeteries & Church Records

Sumter Co. FL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Sumter Co. FL General and History Websites

Sumter Co. FL Immigration & Naturalization

Sumter Co. FL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Sumter Co. FL Military Records

Sumter Co. FL Schools & Directories