Local Family History in Baker County: Macclenny, Florida

Baker County, with Macclenny as the city seat is a small area, consisting of maybe 30,000 people in a county ten miles by 20 miles. Baker County is a rural area 30 miles to the west of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Most people here are related, but often find that rumors circulate about their family histories. However, there are a few sources of reliable family history for people in Baker County wanting to research their history.

1) The Emily Taber Library has some books dedicated to the history of Baker County families. The books are housed upstairs in a back resource room. There is a librarian upstairs that can assist you. The library itself is full of history, once being the county courthouse.

2) Baker County Courthouse. Most of the officials working in the records department have been there for ages. I found out that they are more than happy to help you with researching your family history. Some local people migrated from south Georgia years ago, so many people find they have to go 20 miles north to St.George, Georgia to find family history at the courthouse there.

3) Long time Baker County families. Another great resource in Baker County is knowing who the longest residents of the county are. If you can contact an elder Burnsed, Rhoden, Raulerson, Taylor, Combs, DAvis, Knabb, Finley, or Dobson, chances are they will know something about Baker County history and can connect you with people you might be related to or at least with information about where to find research data.

4) Baker County Historical Society. This society is located at 42 W McIver Ave MacClenny, FL 32063. Their phone number is 904- 259-0587. The society is ran by Lavice Smallwood and a group of Native Baker County residents. They have quit a bit of historical information and books related to the history of Baker County and its families.

5) Visit Heritage Park in Macclenny. The park is located at 102 S Lowder St Macclenny, FL 32063. If the park is not open when you arrive, you can contact the number to the Baker County Historical Society at 904-259-0587. The park is a replica of early downtown Baker County with quaint shops representing shops that occupied downtown Macclenny in years gone by. In some of the stores, there are family memorabilia and information, most housed under glass for safekeeping. In one of the replica shops, there are even a couple of old photograph books, with newspaper clippings and pictures.

Researching your family history in Baker County is relatively easy. The complicated part, as always, is trying to track it past county and state borders. But at least tracking your local heritage is a start.