Florida. Office of Secretary of State

The County Guards were created in 1917 (Ch. 7292, Laws) by the Florida Legislature to replace the National Guard of Florida which had been activated for European service as part of the American Expeditionary Force of World War I. Each county was responsible for nominating officers and bore the costs of equipping the Guards. The County Guards were to be called to service in times of riot or disorder. The County Guards were abolished four months after the end of World War I.

From the description of Record of commissions for County Guards, 1917-1920. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413933

In order to facilitate the restoration of the government of the confederate states, Congress passed an Act on March 23, 1867, calling for a registration of qualified voters. These voters would then elect delegates to a convention for the purpose of establishing a constitution and civil government. A qualified voter had to be male, over twenty-one years of age, a resident of the county, and had to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S. Government.

From the description of Voter registration rolls for 1868, 1868. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413545

Upon his death in 1936, John Ringling bequeathed his estate to the State of Florida. Included in his gift was the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida. Due to entanglements on the estate, however, the 1937 State Legislature was reluctant to accept the bequest. In the end, the State accepted it on condition that the estate be free of all debts or liens of any nature whatsoever. After lengthy negotiations under the direction of Secretary of State R. A. Gray, the State came into full possession of the property in May, 1946. After its acquisition, the property was operated as an educational institution under the management of the State Board of Control, and later came under the control of the Secretary of State's office.

From the description of Ringling Estate legal papers, 1931-1957. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413636

After a career in real estate management and agriculture, Thomas Burton Adams, Jr. entered politics and was first elected to the Florida Senate in 1956. In 1960 Adams was elected Secretary of State of Florida. He served as Secretary of State until elected as Lieutenant Governor in 1971.

From the description of Secretary of State Tom Adams speech files, 1963. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413554

The 1845 statehood election was held on May 26, 1845, two months after the proclamation of statehood. This was the first election that was held after Florida was admitted to the Union. Those who were allowed to vote were all free white males over the age of twenty-one, citizens of the United States, residents of Florida, and were enrolled in the militia or were exempt by law from military duty. Two copies of the returns were made; one which was sent to the Committee of the Constitutional Convention, and the other to the Secretary of the Territory.

From the description of Statehood election returns, 1845. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414038

The post of Secretary of State was created in the 1838 Constitution (Article III, Section 14, 1838 Constitution; Article IV, Section 21, 1885 Constitution; Article IV, Section 4(b), 1968 Constitution; Ch. 15 FS). The Secretary of State was the successor to the Secretary of the Territory. The Office of Secretary of State was created in 1845 to maintain the state's public records. In 1969 (Ch. 69-106, Laws), the Office of Secretary of State became part of the Dept. of State.

From the description of Secretary of the Territory and Secretary of State letters of resignation and removals from office, 1844-1904. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413996

From the description of Secretary of the Territory and Secretary of State incoming correspondence, 1831-1917. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413989

From the description of Index of legislation effecting municipalities, 1885-1939. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414118

From the description of Record of commissions for Commissioners of Deeds, 1905-1948. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413925

From the description of Election returns by county, 1824-1926. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413442

From the description of Record of commissions, 1845-1900. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413900

From the description of Notaries public oaths and bonds, 1845-1897. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413440

From the description of Record of commissions of judges, 1935-1942. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414211

From the description of Military election returns by county, 1824-1865. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413879

From the description of Record of commissions for county appointive officers, 1901-1951. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413907

From the description of Record of commissions for notaries public, 1923. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413957

From the description of Chauffeurs registration records, 1905-1917. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414223

From the description of Automobile registration records, 1905-1917. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414222

From the description of Warrants from other states for fugitives from justice, 1849,1871-1920. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414003

From the description of Court appearance bonds, 1849-1902. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413914

From the description of Candidate platform sketches, 1924. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413704

From the description of Record of commissions for ad interim elective officers, 1906-1935. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413912

From the description of Mortgages, 1890-1926. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413108

From the description of Record of commissions for Senate confirmed officers, 1913-1963. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413915

From the description of Warrants and requisitions for fugitives from justice, 1869-1928. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414001

From the description of Record of commissions for state and county elective officers, 1936-1937,1940-1963. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413960

From the description of Removals from public office, 1869-1888. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413744

From the description of Record of commissions and oaths for State Militia officers, 1846-1874. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414209

From the description of Certfificates of nomination, 1904,1906,1908. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414213

From the description of State and county directories, 1845-1961. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413896

From the description of Railroad maps, 1853-1958. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413372

From the description of Letters of commission notification, 1845-1863. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413919

From the description of Lists of territorial, state, and county officers, 1827-1923,1960. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413738

From the description of Secretary of the Territory and Secretary of State letterbooks, 1830-1865,1889-1905,1922-1926. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413450

From the description of Circuit court seals, 1894-1968. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413558