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Genealogy Resources
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We are a FamilySearch affiliate library.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has a variety of resources to help with family history research. TSLAC library collections include publications, indexes, databases, and other types of information that genealogists find useful when tracing their family trees.
Home to the State Archives, TSLAC also has extensive state government records that might provide leads for family historians. Some materials from both collections are available online. This guide focuses on TSLAC collections and lists many of our frequently requested resources.
Getting Started with Genealogy Research
TSLAC staff provides limited ready-reference service via mail, email, and telephone. We are happy to help in searching and accessing our collections. Due to staffing constraints, we are not able to effectively respond to requests for any or all information about an individual or family, and we do not conduct genealogical research for patrons.
We offer a few tips for getting started conducting genealogical research at TSLAC:
Start from the present day and work back in time. Gather known information and build on that data to find out more.
Primary sources here at TSLAC are typically government records. Think about how a person in the past may have interacted with local, state, or federal agencies and how that interaction was documented. For example, did they need to fill out a form with their full name, date, and place of birth?
Names can be tricky. Be aware of different spellings, nicknames, middle names, maiden, or married names, and other possible differences, especially in older records.
For in-depth genealogy help, we can refer you to the following organizations to find a genealogist in your area.
- Association of Professional Genealogists: Member Directory
- Board for Certification of Genealogists: Directory of Certified Genealogists
Please contact the organizations above directly if you have questions about the listings.
Library materials, including the genealogy resources below, are available in the Reference Reading Room without an appointment during our public service hours.
Some materials may be available online or through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Contact us to confirm availability or contact your local library about ILL services.
Search for published family and county histories, state and federal government reports, microfilm, and other cataloged titles in our collections. You can limit your search to items in our Genealogy collection.
Print and microfilm city directories at our library and online city directory sources.
County records microfilmed from original county office records are available online and on microfilm through Regional Historical Resource Depository (RHRD) libraries in Texas.
County tax rolls provide information on how much land and personal property an individual owned. Our collection includes rolls from the early years through the late 1970s for many counties.
Microfilm and original print newspaper collections and online newspaper sources.
Indexes to statewide Texas births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. While we do not have the original certificates, the indexes may be helpful for requesting records from state and local agencies.
Online Services
TSLAC’s Austin and Liberty locations provide free on-site access to Ancestry Library Edition and NewspaperArchive-Texas on the public computers in our reading rooms.
We offer on-site access to the TexShare Databases and remote access to Texas residents who register at our library. If you are unable to visit us, contact a TexShare library near you about access options.
Resources for genealogy and history research in the TexShare Databases include:
- Fold3 Library Edition
- HeritageQuest Online
- Newspapers.com (Texas Edition)
- ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Austin American-Statesman (1871–1980)
- ProQuest Historical Newspapers: El Paso Times, 1881–2009 (plus annual updates) and El Paso Herald Post, 1896–1996 (includes subscription content from 2010-present)
- Texas Digital Sanborn Maps
FamilySearch databases and historical record collections are available to view with a free FamilySearch Account.
TSLAC is a FamilySearch affiliate, and our Austin and Liberty locations provide on-site access to restricted images in FamilySearch affiliate collections through the public computers in our reading rooms and on personal devices connected to our Wi-Fi network in Austin.
If you are unable to visit us, search for a FamilySearch center or affiliate near you.
If your ancestor interacted with the governments of the Republic of Texas or the State of Texas, our archival collections may include records of interest to you. Some commonly requested archival collections are listed below. Digitized records may also be available online from the following sources:
- Free access to our records that have been digitized by Ancestry is available to Texas residents through Ancestry.com Texas after you create a free Ancestry account.
- Many of these records are also available on the Texas Digital Archive (TDA) without a subscription or login.
See our Before You Visit webpage for information about on-site access and reproductions for original records at TSLAC.
Republic of Texas Records
The Republic Claims series of Comptroller's records includes claims for payment, reimbursement, or restitution submitted by citizens to the Republic of Texas government from 1835 through 1846. It also includes records relating to Republic pensions and claims against the Republic submitted as public debt claims after 1846.
Passports were issued by the government of the Republic of Texas to allow persons to freely leave and re-enter. These records consist of requests for passports, orders to issue passports, and one proclamation granting entrance into the Republic. Dates covered are 1836-1845, 1855, 1858. Browse the collection of 55 documents by name on the TDA.
Military Service and Pensions
Adjutant General Service Records
The Service Records Series combines both official service record files from the Adjutant General's Office and alphabetical files created by other agencies containing records related to an individual's service in a military unit. The database provides the name, the military organization, and the call number. Please note that the listing does not include the names of ALL persons who served in Texas military organizations; it indexes only the names of persons who have files in this record series.
Confederate Indigent Families Lists
View the names of families that were identified as needing aid through the 1863 "Act to Support the Families and Dependents of Texas Soldiers."
Confederate Pension Applications
Provides the name, county of residence, and pension number for some 54,634 approved, rejected, and home pensions issued by the Texas government between 1899 and 1975.
Land and Property
Insurance maps of Texas cities and towns were created either by the Sanborn Map Company or the Texas Fire Insurance Department (TFID) and the Texas State Board of Insurance (TSBI). Search the collection and view digitized maps through the TDA.
Prison and Clemency Records
Persons convicted of a crime in Texas may have requested or received clemency. Documents include pardon proclamations, stays of execution, and applications. Staff can check a name in an internal index covering certain years. Some Texas Secretary of State: Executive Clemency Records, 1840, 1845-2009, are available to view online in the TDA.
Convict Record Ledgers and Indexes
The record ledgers are excellent sources of descriptions and information for individuals who were incarcerated in Texas prisons, covering 1849-1954, with index-level information through 1970. Contact the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for later or additional records.
Election and Voter Registration Materials
Election Registers and Executive Record Books
Registers of elected and appointed officials of the State of Texas, and records that may include election returns filed with the Texas Secretary of State.
Voter Registration Lists, 1867-1870
On March 23, 1867, Congress passed legislation that called for the registration of qualified voters in each military district. The commanding officer in each district was required to have a list of these voters from each county. These lists would be used to determine all who would be eligible to vote for any proposed Constitutional Convention in the state.
Vital Records
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Unit
DSHS manages statewide vital records for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that occurred in Texas.
Vital records may also be recorded with the County or District Clerk in the county where the event occurred. Search for county and district clerks on the County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas website .
For vital records from other states, visit Where to Write for Vital Records on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.
Land and Property
Texas General Land Office (GLO) Archives
GLO is responsible for preserving and providing access to 35.5 million documents containing information about land grants and transactions dating back to the 18th century.
Property records are recorded with the County Clerk in the county where the property is located. Contact information is available online from the County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas website .
Cemeteries
Texas Cemeteries and Crematories Association (TXCCA)
TXCCA functions as a liaison between cemeteries, monument dealers, the public, and state and local government, and posts frequently asked questions regarding cemeteries and crematories in the State of Texas on their website.
Texas Historical Commission (THC) Cemetery Preservation
THC offers technical assistance to help concerned citizens and local and regional organizations with cemetery preservation efforts and manages the Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) designation program.
Final resting place for Texas's most notable individuals. Managed by the Texas State Preservation Board .
Federal Agencies
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Resources for Genealogists
Information about researching census records, military service records, immigration and naturalization records, and more. NARA offers free webinars and workshops on a variety of genealogy topics.
Although census records remain confidential for 72 years, limited information may be obtained from more recent counts through the US Census Bureau Age Search Service .
Veterans Affairs Nationwide Gravesite Locator
Grave locations with birth, death, and service details for US veterans.
We have research guides on a variety of specialized topics helpful to genealogists. See our Research Webinar Series page to watch pre-recorded orientation videos on many of these topics.
Highlights resources from the present to the past for African American genealogy research at TSLAC.
American Indian Genealogy Research
Features resources to aid in exploring American Indian genealogy research at TSLAC.
TSLAC holdings of corporate filings, business directories, company histories, property histories, and industry data.
Education Records and Research Resources
An overview of government records and publications about public elementary and secondary education in Texas, focusing on TSLAC resources.
Introduction to researching election returns and information about elected officials from federal, state, and local contests.
Mexican American Genealogy Research
This guide focuses on TSLAC Mexican American genealogy and research materials and points to other nearby and online resources.
Land and Property History Research
Guide to finding records through federal, state, and local agencies.
This guide points to resources for researching individuals serving in Texas military units from 1835 to 1945.
Includes a variety of records maintained by national, regional, and local officials—both political and military—of the Mexican government from the mid-18th into the early 19th century.
Resources of the Republic of Texas and Pre-Republic Era (1820-1845)
Overview of pre-republic, government, military, and court records, as well as manuscript collections and other archival holdings.
Online Resources
Searchable database Freedmen’s Bureau records held by NARA.
Galveston Immigration Database
Listings of immigrants to Galveston, Texas, taken from ships’ passenger manifests documenting arrivals in Texas, compiled by the Galveston Historical Foundation.
Jewish genealogy research and community resources from the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.
Digitized Sanborn Maps from the Library of Congress Sanborn Maps collection. Filter and sort by location and date.
Search for information about individuals and units from the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War, from the US National Park Service and NARA.
Research Centers in Texas
City of Austin and Travis County historical and genealogical records.
Briscoe Center for American History
Archival, artifact, and library collections with historical treasures on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Includes an extensive collection of Texas newspapers and directories.
Contact a library in the area of your research about local history and genealogy collections and services.
Regional Historical Resource Depository (RHRD) System
Historical records and collections of local governments of Texas are available through 23 regional depositories in Texas.
Sam Houston Library and Research Center
TSLAC collections for Southeast Texas as the RHRD for Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, and Tyler Counties.
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
Designated as the “Official State Repository of Texas Ranger Memorabilia” by House Concurrent Resolution 55 of the 75th Texas Legislature (May 1, 1997). The Center offers a low-cost remote research service.