Step-by-Step Texas Research, 1880-Present
Research 1880--to the present |
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Some online records have restrictions, due to contractual agreements, allowing them to be used only at FamilySearch Centers or FamilySearch Affiliate Library. This pop-up warning has links to lists of addresses of the many affiliate libraries that are available throughout the world. Subscription websites such as Ancestry.com, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage and many others offer complimentary service at these affiliate libraries and at most local libraries. |
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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.[edit | edit source]
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.
What are the best questions to ask?[edit | edit source]
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
- 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History at ThoughtCo.com
- Creating Oral Histories at FamilySearch Wiki
What documents should be collected or copied?[edit | edit source]
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.
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Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.[edit | edit source]
- A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
- For each person living in a household (depending on the year), their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.
- Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
- Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.
Using home clues to lead to census record searches.[edit | edit source]
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This newspaper clipping is found in a relative's home papers. |
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In this 1940 census, the family appears to be fairly young.
In the 1930 census, Russell (Elmo) and Nadine, are fairly newly married, with a 7-month old baby, Russell. Notice that Russell seems to prefer to use his middle name, Elmo.
Finding the next older generation.[edit | edit source]
The obituary lists Russell Elmo's parents, still surviving at the time of his death, as Mr. P.L. Barlow and Mrs. A.B. Bilger (apparently remarried). In the 1920 and 1910 censuses, Russell could be listed in his parents' family, approximately 10-12 years old.
Trying various combinations of names in the 1920 census index failed to bring up the family. This 1910 census record shows them as a young family, with Elmo as a baby.
Finding even another older generation.[edit | edit source]
The 1910 census gives Perry Barlow's birth year as 1875 in Texas.
The next step would be to look for him as a 25 year old man in the 1900 census, probably not married yet, possibly still in his parents' home.
Then the next step would be to look for him as a 5 year old child in his parents' home in Texas in the 1880 census.
Searches in these census records did not produce any good matches.
Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.[edit | edit source]
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
- In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations. *A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
- A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.
Using census clues to lead to a birth certificate.[edit | edit source]
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents.
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Example of an index entry.
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This original record shows greater detail. |
Using census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.[edit | edit source]
One main purpose for locating records for is to establish the identity of the wives--their maiden names. In some cases the names of the parents of the bride and groom are given
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Index entry for the county marriage record. |
Verification of Maude Barlow's second marriage. |
Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.[edit | edit source]
[By studying the census records, and assuming that most people lived to be 65-70 years old, you can decide the time frame where you would expect to see a death certificate. It is very important to send for death certificates. Even though you might feel that knowing a death date is not high priority, the death certificate is important because of all the secondary data: birth date and place of the deceased, maiden name of the wife, names of the deceased's parents, birth places of the deceased's parents.
Example of a death certificate. Notice the birth date and place and the parents' names.
How to Find the Records[edit | edit source]
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
- online databases
- writing to a county courthouse (prior to the beginning of state civil registration)
- purchasing them through the mail at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
Online databases, usually indexes, with some images[edit | edit source]
Records at the County Courthouse.[edit | edit source]
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Texas Counties.
Order Certificates from Texas Vital Records Department.[edit | edit source]
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).
- Where to Write for Texas Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Texas, see How to Find Texas Birth Records, How to Find Texas Marriage Records, and How to Find Texas Death Records.
Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.[edit | edit source]
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.
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Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- 1980-2014 United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages 1980-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Online Texas Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index
- Texas Genealogy Data at GenealogyBuff.com — index
- Texas Newspapers and Obituaries at LDS Genealogy — index
- Texas Obituaries at ObitsArchive.com — index & images ($)
- Texas Obituaries Help and Genealogy Resources at ObituaryHelp.org — index & images ($)
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- 1949-1969 United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- BillionGraves — index & images
- BillionGraves Index at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Findmypast ($)
- FindaGrave — index & images
- Find a Grave Index at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry ($)
- Online Texas Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index
- Texas Cemeteries at I Dream of Genealogy — index
- Texas Cemeteries at USGenWeb Tombstones — index
- Texas Cemetery and Tombstone Photo Page at USGenWeb Archives — index & images
- Texas Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy — index
- Texas Cemetery Records at LDS Genealogy — index
- Texas Death Records and Texas Cemetery Records at Interment.net — index
- Texas: Family History and Genealogy, Census, Birth, Marriage, Death Vital Records and More at Linkpendium — index & images
- Texas Gravestone Photo Project at TexasGravestones.org — index & images
U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007[edit | edit source]
- The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
- The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
- You can search these records online at
- If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.
For more information, see Texas Obituaries and Texas Cemeteries.
Step 5: Search military records: World War I and II draft cards.[edit | edit source]
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information.
Example of a World War I draft card.
Example of a World War II draft card.
Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.[edit | edit source]
- 1917-1918 United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1942 United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
For more information and additional collections, see Texas Military Records.
Step 6: Look for church records.[edit | edit source]
Church records function as vital records.
- An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
- Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
- Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.
Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
Search for church records that can provide additional birth, marriage, and death information.[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch[edit | edit source]
- 1837-1973 Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1840-1981 Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1852-1994 Texas, Church Records, 1852-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1903-1973 Texas, Deaths and Burials, 1903-1973 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Dutch Reformed[edit | edit source]
- 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Episcopal[edit | edit source]
- 1889-1971 Episcopal Diocese of Arizona Church Records : Jurisdiction of New Mexico and Arizona, 1889-1971(*) Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, J. W. Atwood, Walter Mitchell, and Arthur Barksdale Kinsolving at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
Lutheran[edit | edit source]
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800-1947 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Methodist[edit | edit source]
- 1870-1970 New Mexico and Texas, U.S., Select United Methodist Church Records, 1870-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Presbyterian[edit | edit source]
- 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]
- 1700-1996 Texas, U.S., Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Sacramental Records, 1700-1996 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- For help with church records kept in Texas, see Texas Church Records.
- To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.
Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.[edit | edit source]
- County probate records include probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
- In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
- Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.
Search these indexes and images for probate records.[edit | edit source]
- 1800-1990 Texas Probate Records, 1800-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1833-1974 Texas, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1833-1974 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Probate Information in County Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
Each Texas county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Texas Counties
For more information, see Texas Probate Records and United States Probate Records.
Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.[edit | edit source]
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.
Look for immigrant ancestors in shipping lists and citizenship sources.[edit | edit source]
Texas Immigration Records[edit | edit source]
- 1844-1847 A New Land Beckoned: German Immigration to Texas, 1844-1847 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1845-1866 Galveston, Texas Arrivals at Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild — index Online at: Vol. 1 - ImmigrantShips.net; Vol. 2 - ImmigrantShips.net; Vol. 3 - ImmigrantShips.net; Vol. 4 - ImmigrantShips.net; Vol. 5 - ImmigrantShips.net
- 1847-1861 A New Land Beckoned: German Immigration to Texas, 1847-1861 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1893-1963 Texas, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1893-1963 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1901-1917 Galveston, Texas, U.S., Jewish Immigration Records, 1901-1917 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1903-1910 Texas and Arizona Arrivals, 1903-1910 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1903-1929 Texas, Laredo Index of Arrivals, 1903-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1903-1955 Texas, Laredo Arrival Manifests, 1903-1955 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905-1927 Texas, El Paso Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of El Paso, 1905-1927 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905-1954 Texas, Eagle Pass Arrival Manifests and Indexes, 1905-1954 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Findmypast ($)
- 1906-1953 Texas, Indexes and Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Del Rio, 1906-1953 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1912-1965 Aransas, Texas, U.S., Crew Lists, 1912-1965 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1924-1954 Texas, Manifests of Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at El Paso, ca. July 1924-1954 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1931-1964 Texas, Passenger and Crew List of Airplanes, 1931-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1944-1952 Texas, San Antonio, Alien Arrivals, May 1944-March 1952 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1946-1954 Texas, Houston Arrival Manifests of Airplanes, 1946-1954 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Galveston Immigration Database at Galveston History — index
- Ships Passenger Lists to Texas at Olive Tree Genealogy — index
Texas Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records[edit | edit source]
- 1852-1991 Texas, U.S., Naturalization Records, 1852-1991 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1906-1989 Texas Naturalization Records, 1906-1989 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Ancestry — images ($)
For more information, see Texas Emigration and Immigration and Texas Naturalization and Citizenship.
Step 9: Search for printed local histories or biography collections online.[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
- Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Texas; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
FamilySearch Collected Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
- If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
Biography Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections of biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or use the "Find" function on a computer.
- 1800-1900 Texas, Index Card Collections, 1800-1900 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- County and Town Histories, Texas at LearnWebSkills — index & images
- Index to Some Texas Biographies., by Daughters of the American Revolution, Texas Society, Henry Downs Chapter, Waco. n.p.: Texas Society. Henry Downs Chapter, Waco, D.A.R., 1969. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
Step 10: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.[edit | edit source]
This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society. Step 11: Use other FamilySearch tools.[edit | edit source]Historical Images[edit | edit source]Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
Texas Online Genealogy Records[edit | edit source]Search any other online records listed in Texas Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Texas Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Texas.[edit | edit source]This article focused more on Texas state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Texas. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.
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