Confederate Indigent Families List (1863-1865)

On November 24, 1863, the Texas Legislature passed a Joint Resolution stating that the government pledged "support and maintenance of [the soldiers'] families during their absence from home." In accordance with this Resolution, an "Act to Support the Families and Dependents of Texas Soldiers" passed on December 15, 1863. The Act set aside $1,000,000 annually to be paid the "families, widows, and dependents of soldiers currently serving in State or Confederate forces, or of soldiers killed or disabled in service." Chief Justices of the counties, on or before March 1 in 1864 and 1865, submitted lists of servicemen and the number of their dependents eligible for relief. The County Clerk administered the money distributed to the county for this purpose.

Please be aware that only an index of names appears at this site.

Lists were not compiled in every county; those counties are not represented in the index.

The information varies somewhat from county to county. The number of dependents is always provided, but listings may also include: name of the soldier; currently in service; disabled or killed in service; unit; acting head of household.

The surnames of soldiers enlisted in State military units are also included in these lists. Both Confederate units and State military units qualified for this relief.

The finding aid for these records is available online at: “Confederate indigent families lists, 1863-1865” series, Texas Comptroller’s Office claims records .

Partial image of Newton County list, Confederate indigent families lists, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

The names may be viewed in an alphabetical listing by surname. Please select the appropriate link below:

A - C
D - G
H - L
M - P
Q - Z

The names may also be viewed in an alphabetical listing within each county. Please select the appropriate link from the following:

Anderson - Collin
Colorado - Hamilton
Harris - Jasper
Jefferson - Refugio
Robertson - Wood

In order to help preserve the original records, transcriptions of the records on file in the State Archives can be found in the publication Confederate Indigent Families Lists of Texas 1863-1865 . This publication can be viewed on site or requested through interlibrary loan (ILL). Please contact your local library for more information about ILL.

Information on requesting reproductions of original materials is posted on our Before You Visit page. Contact archinfo@tsl.texas.gov for more information.

Additional county lists of indigent families may be included within the following records. Contact “Unprocessed loose records primarily relating to county officials, 1835-1944” series, Texas Comptroller’s Office unprocessed records

Confederate Pension Applications
Genealogy Resources at TSLAC