I had the rare opportunity to shop at a major Florida estate sale. The Georgia Mickler Estate in Chulota is selling its huge collection of Floridiana to Florida public and university libraries. We spent a wonderful day going through thousands of books and boxes of memorabilia looking for items for the Genealogy and Local History collections. Because of its rarity, it will be kept in the local History Room and available for use during the room's open hours - Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Some early maps and pamphlets have also joined the collection.
Estate sales are a wonderful source for researchers.
That rare book about your family you've been searching for may be there. And, don't forget your local library. We are always in need of book donations, particularly of local history items like Bay County yearbooks and city directories.