State of Texas
Methods for Searching for Texas Genealogy Data
Massive and historic, the State of Texas is also a land where an amazing number of people and families have connections. This is why there are so many resources for those seeking for Texas genealogy materials. Whether you want to learn about an ancestor in the early days of the state or a connection to the Civil War, you will have a good chance of locating the data here.
Looking for Texas Genealogy Information
Today, we get details anything through the Internet, and this is why all genealogists should begin their research at a computer. When starting any search for Texas genealogy information you can go online and use the digital archives available, and even obtain copies of historical materials or documents.
Of course, even though there is a lot online, it does not mean that all that you might require for Texas genealogy will be available digitally. This means that any research for Texas genealogy has to also take the many different offline locations into consideration too. Once you identify your best offline resources for Texas genealogy, you can search more effectively.
Best Approaches for Texas Genealogy Research
Most state genealogy research work starts in the public records, and these tend to fall under three headings or categories. You must learn the differences as you begin searching for Texas genealogy, and they are:
- Vital Records – these are birth, marriage, divorce and death records from county, state, and national archives. They can include cemetery or obituary information, census records, newspaper items, military records, immigration and naturalization details, and passenger lists and records as well. These tend to be available as online or offline resources for Texas genealogy.
- State Records – ranging from probate information to surname lists, state census information, private manuscripts, newspapers, military or veterans information, marriage details, maps, land records, genealogical folders, estate information, deeds, death records, cemetery information, birth certificates and more, these are available as online and offline resources for Texas genealogy.
- Local Records – state research will generally start in a county clerk's office or website, and then move on to historical societies, local genealogical societies, small local libraries, and school or college libraries for Texas genealogy materials. These are items that are usually offline and viewable by appointment or special arrangement.
Best Sources for Texas Genealogy Information
What are the best sites and resources for Texas genealogy information? Below, we have listed details and links for some of the best for Texas genealogy work:
- Vital Statistics Unit,
Texas Department of Health,
P.O. Box 12040,
Austin, TX 78711-2040;
Website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/texas.htm .
This is the way to obtain birth, death, marriage and divorce records either via a written request or even online.
Additional state and local records can be found at the:
- Texas State Library and Archives Commission,
Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building,
Capitol Complex,
1201 Brazos St.,
Austin TX 78711-2040;
Website: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/genfirst.html .
This website and location provide a seemingly unlimited number of resources for Texas genealogy research. From information about Confederate Prisoners to telephone directories, it is possible to get an impressive array of materials.
The three websites below will provide a lot of significant state-specific details to those in search for Texas genealogy data.
- The USGenWeb Project - http://www.txgenweb.org/;
- State census records at Genealogy Research Guides - http://www.researchguides.net/census/state.htm; and
- Genealogy Today - http://www.genealogytoday.com/genealogy/states/texas.html
List of Texas Counties
Select a Texas county below to view genealogical information & records pertaining to each county.
Texas State Historical & Genealogical Societies, Archives, Museums and Libraries
Texas Archives
- Texas State Library and Archives Commission, P.O. Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711-2927
- Texas State Archives, Regional Historical Resource Depository, University Archives, East Texas State University, Commerce, TX 75428-2810
- Catholic Archives of Texas, P.O. Box 13327, 1600 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78811-3327
- Texas Land Office, Archives & Records Division, Stephen F. Austin Bldg., 1700 North Congress, Austin, TX 78701-1495
Texas Museums
Texas Libraries
- Dallas Public Library, 1515 Young Street Dallas, TX 75201
- Houston Public Library, 500 McKinney Street Houston, TX 77002
Texas Historical & Genealogical Societies