Genealogy Resources
The Genealogy Collection at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission includes vital statistics indexes, city directories, county records, publications such as printed family and county histories, a variety of Texas government records, federal census schedules and many other resources to help you compile your family history.
We are a FamilySearch affiliate library.
Ask the Reference Desk
ref@tsl.texas.gov
512-463-5455
Genealogy Resources at TSLAC
Many of our frequently requested resources are highlighted below. Please use our Library Catalog above to determine the catalogued titles in our collections.
Vital statistics indexes are an important part of the genealogical resources available at the library. While we do not have access to the certificates themselves, the library does own selected indexes to Texas births, deaths, marriages and divorces. The indexes are available for on-site use.
Texas County Tax Rolls on Microfilm are available for on-site use from the early years of each county through the late 1970s.
Index of County Records on Microfilm is available online, along with instructions for borrowing rolls through interlibrary loan. Although the microfilm is housed in depository libraries throughout Texas, the Genealogy Collection houses the film for the following counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bastrop, Bexar, Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Frio, Galveston, Gillespie, Grayson, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Llano, McMullen, Medina, Uvalde, and Wilson.
City Directory Research at the Texas State Library and Archives. Our city directories include print and microfilm city directories.
Newspaper Research at the Texas State Library and Archives. Our newspaper collections include newspapers on microfilm, original print newspapers, and online newspaper subscriptions.
Special Topics
African American Genealogy at the Texas State Library and Archives. This guide highlights resources for African American genealogy research at TSLAC.
American Indian Genealogy Research. This guide highlights American Indian genealogy research at TSLAC and resources for tribal and federal records.
Mexican American Genealogy Research. This guide focuses on TSLAC Mexican American genealogy and research materials and points to other nearby and online resources.
Military Records Research. This guide points to resources for researching individuals serving in Texas military units from 1835 to 1945.
Resources of the Republic of Texas and Pre-Republic Era (1820-1845) at the Texas State Library and Archives. This guide offers resources from the Republic era that should be helpful to genealogists and others interested in Texas during that time period.
Archival Records
Some of the guides below include not only indexes, but images of the records themselves.
The Index to 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.
Texas Adjutant General Service Records, 1836-1935. The Service Records Series combines both official service record files from the Adjutant General's Office and alphabetical files created by other agencies which contain 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.
Republic Claims. This series is now available in digital form as well as microfilm. It 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.
Confederate Indigent Families Lists. View the names of families that received aid through the 1863 "Act to Support the Families and Dependents of Texas Soldiers."
1867 Voters' Registration. On March 23, 1867, Congress passed legislation that called for a registration of qualified voters in each military district. The text of this legislation can be found in the Statutes at Large in volume 15, page 2 (15 Stat 2). The commanding officer in each district was required to have, before September 1, 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.
Texas Convict Record Ledgers and Indexes. The record ledgers are excellent sources of individual convict descriptions and information regarding their incarceration. Although the original records are too fragile to be used, they have been microfilmed and may be viewed on-site or borrowed through the interlibrary loan program.
Republic of Texas Passports 
. The collection of 55 documents has been digitized and a complete listing of names is available.
Genealogy & Government Agencies
Vital Records
The task of recording all the births, deaths, marriages and divorces in Texas belongs to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Unit . For information about other states, visit Where to Write for Vital Records .
Vital records may also be recorded with the County or District Clerk in the county where the event occurred. Addresses and telephone numbers for Texas County and District Clerks are available online.
Land & Deeds
Responsible for preserving and providing access to 35.5 million documents containing information about land grants and transactions dating back to the 18th century, the Texas General Land Office Archives is an important resource for genealogists.
Cemeteries
The Texas State Cemetery , the Lone Star State's version of Arlington National Cemetery, is where some of Texas' most notable sons and daughters are buried.
Visit the Texas Historical Commission site to learn about their projects, including the Texas Historic Cemetery Designation program.
Federal Agencies
The genealogy page of the National Archives provides comprehensive information about the research facilities, policy issues, publications, genealogical workshops, and so much more.
Although census records remain confidential for 72 years, limited information may be obtained from more recent counts. Visit the Bureau of the Census for details about the Age Search Service.
Other Genealogy Resources
Research Centers
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum was designated as the “Official State Repository of Texas Ranger Memorabilia” by House Concurrent Resolution 55 of the 75th Texas Legislature (May 1, 1997).
Online Resources
Ancestry.com Texas allows free access to TSLAC records that have been digitized by Ancestry and is made available to Texas residents. Note: This access requires the creation of a free Ancestry.com Texas account.
Fold3 Library Edition by Ancestry provides convenient access to US military records, including the stories, photos and documents of the men and women who served. TSLAC’s Austin and Liberty locations provide on-site access to this resource.
Search for your ancestors at FamilySearch , sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for free access to numerous historical record collections from around the world. As a FamilySearch affiliate library, TSLAC’s Austin and Liberty locations provide on-site access to additional FamilySearch databases.
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet provides subject access to almost every genealogy topic imaginable. Cyndi's List also provides information on a wide variety of additional sources such as libraries, archives, and museums and genealogical societies, groups, and organizations.
RootsWeb is a free genealogical resource with searchable databases, free Web space, mailing lists, message boards, and more.
The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries allows tracking of every day-to-day change in the size, shape, location, name, organization, and attachment of each U.S. county and state from the creation of the first county.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for Texas, 1877-1922 , large-scale maps of major cities and towns, have been scanned by the University of Texas Libraries and are available for viewing online.
TXGenWeb is the Texas component of the USGENWEB project--a group of volunteers working together to provide Internet Web sites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States.
Whitepages.com is one way to search for the addresses and phone numbers of living relatives. Other links can be found at Library Spot's White Pages and Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet's Finding People .