Historical Overview

Florida is Puerto Rico's youngest municipality, established on June 14, 1971, when it separated from Barceloneta, where it had existed as a barrio since 1881. Located in the karst region of northern Puerto Rico, it borders Arecibo, Barceloneta, Ciales, and Manatí. For genealogists, this history means that records for Florida-area families prior to 1971 are filed under Barceloneta in both civil registration and church records. The primary Catholic parish, Nuestra Señora de la Merced, was established in 1884 and holds sacramental records predating the municipality's independent status.

Coat of Arms

Based on visual reference: the shield appears to feature a mural crown of three towers atop the crest and two branches of coffee plant at the base. An official municipal heraldic description has not yet been verified from the Florida municipal government or the Puerto Rico Secretary of State's heraldic records.

Barrios

Genealogical records often identify individuals by barrio. Florida has 2 barrios:

• Florida Adentro
• Pajonal

Neighboring Municipalities

Also check records in neighboring municipalities:

• Arecibo — Catedral San Felipe Apóstol
• Barceloneta — Nuestra Señora del Carmen
• Ciales — Nuestra Señora del Carmen
• Manatí — Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y San Matías

Historical Maps

Historical maps help identify barrios, boundaries, and communities as they existed in the past. Maps from the 18th and 19th centuries are preferred.

Florida (2026)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, TIGER/Line Shapefiles

Genealogy Toolkit

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Civil Records

Began in 1885

Covers births, marriages, and deaths.

⬇ Search Civil Records

Parish Records

Parish: Nuestra Señora de la Merced

Records from 1884

⬇ Search Catholic Records

Diocesan Archive

Diocese: Diocese of Arecibo

For sacramental records not available digitally, contact the diocesan archive directly.

Diocese Website

Digital Archives

• FamilySearch: Florida Civil and parish records
• Puerto Rico, Catholic Church Records, 1645–2021 Digitized Records Islandwide Catholic church-record collection including baptisms, marriages, burials, and confirmations. Florida church records (Nuestra Señora de la Merced) are included; note that pre-1971 records for the Florida area may appear under Barceloneta parish registers.
• Puerto Rico Civil Registration, 1885–2001 Digitized Records Civil registration births, marriages, and deaths for all Puerto Rico municipalities including Florida, beginning 1885. Records prior to 1971 for the Florida area are filed under Barceloneta.
• Cementerio Municipal de Florida — Find a Grave Cemetery Index Index for the main municipal cemetery of Florida. Useful for verifying death dates and burial information for Florida residents.
• FamilySearch: Puerto Rico Genealogy Complete records guide

Further Reading

• U.S. Census Bureau: Florida Municipio Profile — U.S. Census Bureau Census Data Authoritative 2020 Census profile for Florida, including official barrio list, population data, and geographic boundary information.
• Florida, Puerto Rico Genealogy — FamilySearch Wiki contributors Research Guide FamilySearch research guide for Florida with historical background, civil registration guidance, and pointers to church records. Notes that Florida became a municipality on June 14, 1971, after existing as a barrio of Barceloneta.