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    • Main contributor: Thomas MacEntee
    Texas post card
    Texas post card

    Embarking on a journey to uncover your Texas ancestors is a rewarding endeavor that offers fascinating insights into the rich tapestry of Lone Star State history. As you delve into county records, study local migration patterns, and consult repositories spanning from the state archives to local churches, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the people who shaped Texas over centuries.

    Research your ancestors on MyHeritage

    Understand the HistoryUnderstand the History

    Documentation from the Colonial era is in Spanish and may be stored in Spanish or Mexican archives, as well as the Texas State Archives or the General Land Office.

    Records from the Republic era reside in the Texas State Library and Archives, as well as the General Land Office. Some documents have been digitized and can be viewed online.

    • Timeline Familiarity – Study major events that influenced settlement and population shifts: Spanish colonization (1500s-1700s), Mexican rule (1821-1836), the Republic of Texas (1836-1845), statehood in 1845, and the Civil War era (1861-1865).
    • Contextual Research – Explore major historical turning points such as the Texas Revolution and the influx of settlers from the Southern United States. These events often generated records, including land grants and military service documents.
    • Leverage Local History Books – Use county or town histories, many of which are available at local libraries or through online digital collections, to discover the stories of early inhabitants and local genealogical sources.

    Understand the Geography and JurisdictionUnderstand the Geography and Jurisdiction

    Encompassing 10 distinct climatic zones, Texas exhibits varied weather, terrain, and soils. The state is approximately 900 miles across in both north–south and east–west directions. Given its size, Texas features a wide range of local customs, dialects, and cultural practices.

    • Consult Maps – Review both historical and modern maps to see how jurisdiction changed over time. Atlas and Gazetteer books or online map archives (e.g., the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection at the University of Texas) are excellent starting points.
    • Identify Proper Jurisdictions – Determine whether your ancestors’ records would be found at the county level, state level, or federal level. For example, land transactions are typically recorded in county courthouses, while birth and death records might be found at the state’s vital statistics office.

    State BoundariesState Boundaries

    • Study Texas’ Evolution – Recognize that Texas was once part of Mexico, then an independent republic, and ultimately joined the United States. Boundary changes over time mean your ancestor might have lived in “Texas” even before it officially became a state.
    • Border States – Texas borders Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, as well as Mexico. Migratory paths could mean records for Texan ancestors appear in adjacent states or Mexican archives, depending on the time period and settlement patterns.

    County BoundariesCounty Boundaries

    • Historical County Formation – Texas has 254 counties, many of which were formed or had boundary changes throughout the 19th century. A family’s vital or land records could be in an “old” county that no longer exists or was renamed.
    • Use County Boundary Maps – Websites like the Texas State Historical Association or specialized genealogical map tools (e.g., Newberry Library’s Atlas of Historical County Boundaries) show when boundaries changed. This helps you pinpoint the correct county offices for your research.

    MigrationMigration

    • Study Migration Routes – The Old San Antonio Road, the El Camino Real, and various trails into East Texas shaped settlement. Later, railroads also influenced population movement.
    • Chain Migration – Families often followed relatives or neighbors, settling in clusters. Examine patterns in census data and community records to identify these “clusters” and trace movements.
    • Resources – Check local histories, diaries, letters, and the Federal Writer’s Project materials for clues about migration paths.

    Vital Records – Birth, Death, and MarriageVital Records – Birth, Death, and Marriage

    Statewide birth and death registration in Texas began in 1903, marriage in 1966, and divorce in 1968. County clerks may hold earlier records of marriages, births, and deaths—some dating back before 1836. Official birth and death certificates are available from the Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit or from county clerk offices. Birth records remain private for 75 years, while death records are restricted for 25 years. The state provides marriage and divorce verification letters, but certified marriage licenses can only be obtained from county clerks, and certified divorce decrees must come from district clerks. Many pre-1903 birth and death records have been digitized and are viewable on genealogy websites.

    • Statewide Registration – Texas began statewide birth and death registration in 1903, though compliance was sporadic in the early years. More consistent records appear after the 1910s.
    • County Marriage Records – Marriage records in Texas are often found at the county clerk’s office, dating back to each county’s creation. Many have been digitized by commercial genealogy websites.
    • Accessing Certificates – Certified copies are available from the Texas Department of State Health Services, while older records can sometimes be found in online archives or through genealogical societies.

    Census Records – Federal and StateCensus Records – Federal and State

    From the Spanish and Mexican Colonial periods (1629–1836), census schedules vary by year and location; some are housed at the National Archives of Mexico. Neither the Republic of Texas nor the state government conducted a distinct census, though an 1840 tax list can serve as a substitute. Federal censuses start in 1850. Specialized federal census schedules include slave schedules (1850–1860), social statistics (1850–1870), agricultural and mortality schedules (1850–1880), manufacturing/industrial schedules (1860–1880), and an 1890 Union veterans schedule. Some scholastic censuses (1854–1855) for various counties are available on microfilm at the Family History Library, and a voter registration list from 1867 is also extant.

    • Federal Census – Federal censuses from 1850 onward provide names, ages, birthplaces, and more. Pre-1850 censuses list only heads of households but can still provide valuable clues.
    • 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950 – These are the primary 20th-century federal censuses, often providing more detailed personal information.
    • State Census – Texas conducted state censuses at various intervals, although they are less consistent than federal enumerations. Check the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for availability.
    • Availability – MyHeritage and the National Archives have extensive census collections, including indexes and images.

    Immigration and Naturalization RecordsImmigration and Naturalization Records

    Many European immigrants came through the port of Galveston, though some arrived via New Orleans or New York and then traveled overland. Individuals from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America may have entered Texas by land, particularly before the formal resolution of the Texas–Mexico border in 1848. Records of border crossings are available for locations like El Paso, Del Rio, and Eagle Pass.

    • Port of Galveston – Often called the “Ellis Island of the West,” Galveston was a significant port of entry. Passenger lists and immigration records may hold vital clues.
    • Naturalization Records – Before 1906, naturalization could occur in any court. Post-1906, records are typically found in federal courts. Check county courthouse records, federal court records, and the National Archives’ regional facility in Fort Worth.
    • Online Databases – MyHeritage and specialized immigration sites often have digitized passenger lists and indexes to naturalization papers.

    Military RecordsMilitary Records

    Texas has a long military tradition, ranging from early conflicts with Indigenous peoples through modern-day engagements. Muster rolls survive from the Texas Revolution, including the Alamo and San Jacinto rosters. Confederate muster and pension files are also available for Texan troops during the Civil War. Records for 20th-century conflicts—World War I and II, Korea, and Vietnam—exist as well.

    • Revolutionary Era to Republic of Texas – If ancestors served under Spanish or Mexican rule or during the Republic period, records can be found in the Texas General Land Office or state archives.
    • Civil War – Texas was a Confederate state; Confederate muster rolls, pension records, and service records can be found at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
    • Other Conflicts – WWI and WWII draft registration cards, service records, and unit histories are available through the National Archives, Fold3, and state repositories.

    Land and Property RecordsLand and Property Records

    Texas lands were never federally controlled; rather, they remained under the state’s authority. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) began operations on October 1, 1837. Its Spanish collection covers land titles from 1720 to 1836 (including empresario colonies). The Republic and State Land Grants collection comprises headright and military grants from 1836 onward. The GLO’s Land Grant Database provides online access to 2.5 million digitized documents, while the Searchable Map Database contains 45,000 maps.

    • County Clerk’s Office – Deeds and property transfers are filed here. These records can reveal relationships through land transactions and inheritance patterns.
    • Texas General Land Office (GLO) – The GLO holds records of land grants dating back to Spanish and Mexican rule. Many original land grant files can be accessed or purchased online from the GLO website.
    • Tracing Ownership – Deed indexes help track how property changed hands, providing clues to marriage, death, and migration. Always note the grantor, grantee, and property description.

    Court RecordsCourt Records

    With 254 counties, most court documents in Texas (including vital records) are stored at the county level. District courts handle divorce and adoption cases. Additional court records—such as wills, probate, guardianship, and deeds—also reside in county offices. A number of these county-level documents are on microfilm at the Family History Library.

    • County and District Courts – Lawsuits, divorces, and guardianship cases might yield genealogical details. Check the relevant courthouse for surviving records.
    • Searching Archives – Older records may be transferred to regional archives or the Texas State Library and Archives. Online inventories can help you locate these.
    • Tips – Indexes may only contain brief case details; request full case files for more comprehensive information about your ancestors.

    Wills and Probate RecordsWills and Probate Records

    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) created probate indexes for around 30 Texas counties; these can be searched on the Portal to Texas History. Many microfilmed probate records from various counties are also held at the Family History Library.

    • Probate Jurisdiction – Probate cases are typically handled at the county level. Records can include wills, estate inventories, and guardianship documents.
    • Reveal Family Connections – Probate files often list heirs, including children, spouses, siblings, and extended family, making them an excellent resource to confirm relationships.
    • Locating Records – The county clerk’s office usually oversees probate documents. Some older records are archived at regional repositories or digitized in online genealogy databases.

    Tax RecordsTax Records

    • Why Tax Records? – Tax rolls often predate other records, placing an individual in a specific location at a specific time.
    • County Tax Assessors – These offices maintain historical tax rolls. Many counties have microfilmed or digitized versions, available through local archives or online repositories.
    • Clue Gathering – Compare tax records year-by-year to see when your ancestor first appears and disappears, indicating dates of arrival, departure, or death.

    Church and Cemetery RecordsChurch and Cemetery Records

    Major faiths in Texas include Roman Catholicism, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the United Methodist Church. The state has numerous seminaries, faith-based universities, and diocesan archives—each maintaining its own library or special collections. Many church histories and some microfilmed congregational records can be found at the Family History Library.

    • Church Registers – Identify your ancestor’s religion and check denominational archives for baptisms, marriages, and burials. Texas has a wide array of denominations, each potentially keeping its own records.
    • Cemetery Surveys – Local genealogical or historical societies often conduct cemetery surveys and publish headstone inscriptions. These can reveal birth and death dates, family plots, and maiden names.
    • Online Resources – Websites like BillionGraves, and local historical society websites may have indexed or photographed burial sites.

    African-American and Indigenous RecordsAfrican-American and Indigenous Records

    Although Spanish and Mexican administrations opposed the expansion of slavery, it grew rapidly after Texas’s independence, peaking by 1865 with approximately a quarter-million enslaved individuals—roughly 40% of the total population—and 25% of white families enslaving at least one person. During Reconstruction, the Freedmen’s Bureau operated in Texas to assist those transitioning out of enslavement.

    Before relocation to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) after 1859, numerous tribes occupied what is now Texas, such as the Comanche, Kiowa, Arapaho, Crow, Wichita, Ute, and Creek. For the post-1845 era, records are located with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs at the National Archives. Currently, three tribes have reservations in Texas: the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.

    • Freedmen’s Bureau Records – For post-Civil War African-American ancestors, Freedmen’s Bureau and Freedman’s Bank records can offer genealogical details.
    • Slave Schedules – Federal censuses for 1850 and 1860 included slave schedules, which may help locate enslaved ancestors or identify slaveholding families.
    • Tribal Enrollment Records – Texas is home to several Indigenous groups, such as the Alabama-Coushatta. Tribal enrollment records and Bureau of Indian Affairs documentation can be crucial for tracing Indigenous heritage.

    Historical NewspapersHistorical Newspapers

    • Local Coverage – Newspapers often contain obituaries, marriage announcements, and local event reports mentioning family members.
    • Online Newspaper Archives – Websites like The Portal to Texas History (University of North Texas), Chronicling America, GenealogyBank, and OldNews.com have digitized Texas newspapers.
    • Searching Tips – Vary the name spelling and use advanced search options. Newspaper articles might provide details that don’t appear in official records.

    Local and State RepositoriesLocal and State Repositories

    Located in Austin, the Texas State Library (TSL) offers extensive online collections and research aids through Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO). Through the TSL’s regional historical records depository program, numerous microfilmed county records are accessible via interlibrary loan.

    Texas is home to numerous lineage or hereditary societies that preserve information about descendants of early settlers and participants in significant Texas battles. The Texas State Genealogical Society sponsors lineage programs—such as First Families, Pioneers, and Texas Rangers—offering an online certificate index and application materials on microfilm.

    • Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) – Houses extensive collections on Texas history, including vital, military, land, and court records. Their online catalogs and finding aids can be consulted before visiting.
    • University Libraries – Many universities have special collections dedicated to Texas history. For example, the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas in Austin holds valuable manuscripts and archives.
    • Regional Archives – Various regional depositories hold county records. Always check library guides or county websites to find the nearest repository.

    Genealogical and Historical SocietiesGenealogical and Historical Societies

    • Local Chapters – Many Texas counties have genealogical or historical societies offering publications, record transcriptions, and local expertise.
    • Membership Benefits – Societies often publish journals and newsletters with valuable research articles, record extracts, and cemetery transcriptions.
    • Networking – Attend meetings or join online forums to connect with local experts and distant cousins who might hold unique family information.

    ConclusionConclusion

    By understanding the nuanced history, shifting boundaries, and diverse populations that have called Texas home, you’re well on your way to uncovering the stories of your ancestors. Start with vital and census records, then branch out into land, court, and military documents. Explore churches, cemeteries, and newspapers for personal details, and connect with local repositories and genealogical societies to deepen your investigation.

    See alsoSee also

    Explore more about Texas family history recordsExplore more about Texas family history records

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