Hays County, Texas Genealogy
Guide to Hays County, Texas ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information
Description
The county was named for John Coffee Hays. The county is located in the central area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Hays County Courthouse
712 S Stagecoach Trail
San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: 512-393-7700
Hays County Website
County Clerk has probate records from 1839, birth records from 1865, marriage, court, and land records from 1848 and military records from 1919.
District Clerk has divorce records from 1897.[2]
Hays County, Texas Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1865 | 1848 | 1903 | 1848 | 1848 | 1839 | 1829 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
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Town/city records in the FamilySearch Catalog | |
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[5]
| Cities | ||
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| Villages | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 387 | ||
| 1860 | 2,126 | 449.4% | |
| 1870 | 4,088 | 92.3% | |
| 1880 | 7,555 | 84.8% | |
| 1890 | 11,352 | 50.3% | |
| 1900 | 14,142 | 24.6% | |
| 1910 | 15,518 | 9.7% | |
| 1920 | 15,920 | 2.6% | |
| 1930 | 14,915 | −6.3% | |
| 1940 | 15,349 | 2.9% | |
| 1950 | 17,840 | 16.2% | |
| 1960 | 19,934 | 11.7% | |
| 1970 | 27,642 | 38.7% | |
| 1980 | 40,594 | 46.9% | |
| 1990 | 65,614 | 61.6% | |
| 2000 | 97,589 | 48.7% | |
| 2010 | 157,127 | 61.0% | |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | |||
- 1850-1930 USGenWeb Census Project Texaseb Archives Project
Church Records
- See Texas Church Records for more information.
- Christian Church Directory for Texas at ChurchFinder
- Catholic Parishes in Texas
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Court Records
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
African Americans
- 1865-1870 Texas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1870 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- African American Griots at USGenWeb
- Texas African American Genealogy at Access Genealogy
Funeral Homes
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Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
- See Texas Land and Property for more information.
- Original Land Owners of Texas - USGenWeb Archives Project
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Hays County and may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information.
- See Texas Local Histories for more information.
1808, 1835, 1847, 1849 The first Anglo-Americans arrived around 1835, the first church was organized in 1847, and the first school was organized in 1849. A Spanish settlement was in the area from 1808 to 1812. Mexican land grants date as early as 1831.
- Texas Indexes (about 20 counties) at EveryNameIndex.com — Select the county
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Texas Counties Map. Click on the county to go to the TXGenWeb site.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
- 1838-1900 Texas Muster Roll Index Cards at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Mexican-American War
- 1845-1848 US American Volunteer Soldiers Mexican War at Ancestry — index ($)
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Texas, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images at partner site
- 1861-1865 Texas, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images at partner site
- Confederate Pension Applications at Texas State Library and Archives Commission
- Confederate Pension Applications Index at USGenWeb Archives Project
- Confederate Indigent Families at USGenWeb Archives Project
World War I
- 1917-1920 Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
Korean War
- Korean War Casualties at USGenWeb Archives Project
Naturalization and Citizenship
Newspapers
- w3newspapers - Texas Newspaper Index with links
- Newslink - Texas Newspaper List (sorted by publication frequency)
- The Olden Times - Historic Texas News Online
- Texas Digital Newspaper Program at The Portal to Texas History
- 1800s-Current Texas, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries
- USGenWeb Archives Obituary Project - Texas
- Obituary Daily Times - Citations to over 15,000,000 obituaries at Ancestry ($)
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records of Texas counties were kept by the probate clerk, usually in "probate minutes."
- See Texas Probate Records for more information.
- 1800-1990 Texas Probate Records, 1800-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1800-2000 Texas Wills and Probate Records at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Search Tax, Criminal, Land and Wills Records at Ancestry ($)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index ($) click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
- See Texas Taxation for more information.
- 1846-1910 Texas, County Tax Rolls 1846-1910 at Findmypast — index & images ($)
Vital Records
Vital Records of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths were recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. Copies can be obtained from the County Clerk's office, or order certified copies online or by mail at the Texas Vital Records State Department of Health. See Texas Vital Records for more information.
Birth
- 1903-1935 Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1903-1997 Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index; Key to Texas County Codes; Also at: Ancestry ($)
- 1926-1995 Texas Births, 1926-1995 at MyHeritage — index ($)
Marriage
- 1802-2010 Texas, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1814-2011 Texas Marriage Collection 1814-1909 and 1966-2011 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1837-1965 Texas Marriages, 1837-1965 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1837-1965 Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1837-1965 Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1837-1965 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1837-1973 Texas Marriages, 1837-1973 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1837-1977 Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1837-1977 Texas Select County Marriage Index 1837-1977 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1874-1965 Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Records at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1966-2010 Texas Marriages, 1966-2010 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1966-2016 Texas Marriages and Divorces at MyHeritage — index ($)
Death
- 1890-1976 Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1903-1973 Texas Deaths and Burials, 1903-1973 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1903-1982 Texas Death Certificates 1903-1982 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1903-2000 Texas Death Index, 1903-2000 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1964-1998 Texas Death Index, 1964-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1977-1986 Texas Deaths, 1977-1986 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
Divorce
- 1966-2016 Texas Marriages and Divorces at MyHeritage — index ($)
- 1968-2010 Texas Divorce Index, 1968-2010 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1968-2011 Texas Divorces 1968-2011 at Ancestry — index ($)
Research Facilities
Archives
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Austin Texas FamilySearch Center
- Austin Texas Oak Hills FamilySearch Center
- Kyle Texas FamilySearch Center
- San Marcos Public Library - an affiliate library
- Tye Preston Memorial Library - an affiliate library
- New Braunfels Public Library - multiple locations - an affiliate library
Libraries
Buda Public Library
303 N Main St
Buda, TX 78610
Phone: 512-295-5899
Website
Dripping Springs Community Library
501 Sportsplex Dr
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Phone: 512-858-7825
Website
Kyle Community Library
409 W Blanco St
Kyle, TX 78640
Phone: 512-268-7411
Website
San Marcos Public Library
625 E Hopkins St
San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: 512-393-8200
Website
Wimberley Village Library
400 Fm 2325
Wimberley, TX 78676
Phone: 512-847-2188
Website
Museums
Societies
Websites
- Hays County, Texas TXGenWeb, part of TX GenWeb
- Hays USGWArchives part of USGWArchives Texas Counties
- Frontier Times Magazine
- Historic Texas
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hays County, Texas," in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hays_County,_Texas. accessed 10/07/2019
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Hays County, Texas. Page 666 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Hays County, Texas . Page 658-677 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 655-665.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FSC Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hays County, Texas," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hays_County,_Texas, accessed 5 June 2019.