As our archives staff work on an ongoing basis to arrange, preserve, describe, and make available to the public the materials under our care, we spotlight new additions to the website in a regular feature from Out of the Stacks. The column lists new and revised finding aids recently made available online, along with fresh uploads to the Texas Digital Archive, our repository of electronic items. For a comprehensive list of all recently added and updated finding aids visit Archives: Finding Aids (New & Revised).
FY2025 Q1
New Finding Aids
State Records
Texas Health Disparities Task Force meeting files
The Texas Health Care Disparities Task Force was established with the goal of identifying and eliminating inequalities in the delivery of health care to residents of Texas. It was administratively attached to the Texas Department of Health (TDH). Its purpose was to assist TDH in eliminating health care disparities among multicultural, disadvantaged, and regional populations. The task force had a close relationship with the Office of Minority Health Statistics and Engagement. These Texas Health Care Disparities Task Force meeting files consist of minutes, agendas, and supporting meeting documentation, dating 2002-2004.
Texas Health Care Information Council records
The Texas Health Care Information Council (THCIC) was established in 1995 (74th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, House Bill 1048) to develop a statewide health care data collection system to supply health care providers and the public with information on the cost and quality of health care programs. These records are minutes, agendas, and supporting documentation of meetings of the council held between 1996 and 2004, and the agency’s Sunset Commission review report and remarks from 1998; the bulk of the records date 1996-1997.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission Office of Inspector General organization charts – all records are electronic and are part of the Texas Digital Archive
The Texas State Health and Human Services Commission Office of Inspector General prevents, detects, audits, inspects, reviews, and investigates fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision and delivery of all health and human services in the state. Records consists of organizational charts showing the structure of the Office of the Inspector General, dated 2006-2022.
Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council meeting records
The Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) ensures health care services and facilities are available to all Texans through health planning activities. Based on these planning activities, the SHCC makes recommendations to the governor and the legislature through the Texas State Health Plan (TSHP). These Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council meeting records, dating 1977-1996, consist of minutes, agendas, and supporting documents (including committee minutes, correspondence, council resolutions, and reports).
Texas Department of State Health Services Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker Training and Certification Advisory Committee minutes and agendas
The Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker Training and Certification Advisory Committee, part of the Texas Department of State Health Services, advises the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on issues related to the training and regulation of persons working as promotores(as) or community health workers. A promotora is a lay Hispanic/Latino community member who receives specialized training to provide basic health education in the community without being a professional health care worker. These Texas Department of State Health Services Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker Training and Certification Advisory Committee minutes and agenda, 2002-2013, document the work accomplished by the committee at its meetings.
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Council meeting records
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) was created to administer long-term services and supports for aging people as well as for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. DADS also licensed and regulated providers of these services and administered the state’s Guardianship Program. The agency was under the leadership of a commissioner who was appointed by the executive commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) with the approval of the governor. The DADS commissioner led a council, consisting of seven members (later increased to nine) that oversaw and advised on the operations of the agency. These Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Council meeting records, 2005-2016, contain minutes, agendas, and supporting documents of meetings of the DADS Council.
Texas Secretary of State labor records
The Texas Secretary of State Statutory Documents Section and its predecessor, the Texas Secretary of State Administrative Division, were responsible for receiving labor union annual reports and issuing labor organizer cards beginning in 1943. These Texas Secretary of State labor records, dating 1943-1979, consist of labor exemption orders (1943-1971) and labor organizer card applications as filed with the office of the Secretary of State between 1943 and 1979, along with related materials such as labor organizer card revocation files and correspondence. The records also include annual reports of Texas-based labor unions (1949, 1951, 1975-1978).
Manuscripts
Friends of the Governor’s Mansion records – includes digitized records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
In 1979, Texas Governor William P. Clements Jr. and First Lady Mrs. Rita Clements established Friends of the Governor’s Mansion, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to maintaining and preserving the historical and cultural significance of the Texas Governor’s Mansion, preserving the historical collections, beautifying the gardens, and educating the public about the home and its history. The Governor’s Mansion’s docents educate the public about the mansion and serve as trained guides for mansion tours and hostesses during special events held there. These Friends of the Governor’s Mansion records are tour schedules, function sheets, docent manuals, historians’ notebooks, correspondence, notes, oral histories, agendas, newsletters, electronic newsletters, invitations, financial reports, meeting minutes, renovation documents, historical information about the mansion, furniture and furnishing inventories, loan documentation, photographs, film reels and a VHS videotape about the history of the mansion, and ephemera related to the Docent’s Committee. Materials date 1937, 1964-2023, and undated, bulk 1979-1995. A portion of these materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
Sharpstown stock-fraud litigation case file
Joe Shannon Jr. was one of the attorneys who represented Texas State Representative Thomas Clifton “Tommy” Shannon during the legal proceedings of Mutscher v. State , also known as the Sharpstown stock-fraud case. This scandal centered on Texas Speaker of the House Gus Mutscher Jr., Representative Tommy Shannon, and Rush McGinty, who were found guilty of conspiracy for taking bribes from businessman Frank Sharp. Although the convictions were confined to these three individuals, the scandal affected many other officials, resulting in resignations and electoral losses. The aftermath prompted legislative reforms requiring income disclosure from public officials. These papers assembled by Shannon, spanning 1970 to 1974, are a case file encompassing subpoena records, trial testimony, trial notes, opening witness documents, closing jury arguments, appellate research, and appellate briefs submitted to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals pursuant to the trial in Abilene, Texas. The papers also include the opinion issued by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals at the conclusion of the appeal.
W. Lee O’Daniel collection – a portion of the materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive
W. Lee O’Daniel served as Texas governor from 1938 to 1941 and as United States senator from 1941 to 1948. His work in radio advertising and country music programming made him a popular figure in Texas. This collection, dating 1937-1948 and undated, consists of photographs, artwork, maps, scrapbooks, and a lacquer disc recording of his “Hillbilly Boys” radio show. These document O’Daniel’s family; political campaigns; his farm near Burleson, Texas; and news of the day. A portion of these materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive.
Revised Finding Aids
State Records
Texas Attorney General’s Office Howard Hughes estate litigation case file
Texas Attorney General’s Office litigation case files – includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Attorney General’s Office, Office of the Solicitor General litigation case files
Texas Capitol Building Commission administrative records and architectural drawings – includes digitized records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Department of Water Resources water planning files
Texas Ethics Commission records – includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas House of Representatives recordings – all recordings are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Secretary of State deed files
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division election returns (precinct-by-precinct)
Texas Department of Transportation Right of Way Division records – all records are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Board of Criminal Justice minutes and meeting files – includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Bureau of State Health Planning and Resource Development records
Texas Historical Commission Community Heritage Development Division records
Texas Secretary of State legislative bills and resolutions filed (General and special laws) – includes digitized records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Water Development Board Office of Project Finance and Construction Assistance records – includes electronic records are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records – includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners records– includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Department of Agriculture audiovisual materials – majority of the materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Secretary of State bonds and oaths – majority of the records have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Water Commission minutes
Texas Water Development Board meeting files
Texas Department of Agriculture audiovisual materials – majority of the materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Secretary of State bonds and oaths – majority of the records have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Water Commission minutes
Texas Water Development Board meeting files
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records – includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners records– includes electronic records that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Republic claims: We now have an improved researcher experience available for the Republic claims portion of our Texas Comptroller’s Office claims records, which is now a revised TSLAC finding aid available on the TARO website. The Republic claims portion of the records has been digitized and is part of the Texas Digital Archive.
Local Records
Galveston County (Tex.) County Clerk’s Office records
Manuscripts
Beauford H. Jester Railroad Commissioner campaign recordings and transcripts – all materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Price Daniel audiovisual materials and related papers – all materials have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Texas Brewers’ Institute records – includes digitized materials that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
Zarh Pritchard collection – includes digitized materials that are part of the Texas Digital Archive
A new TSLAC finding aid is now available on the TARO website for the Henry Arthur McArdle scrapbooks, which have been newly digitized and are available on the Texas Digital Archive. In addition, the online exhibit for the McArdle scrapbooks has been revised and redesigned, and the scrapbook images are also available there. We think you’ll like the new look of this very popular online exhibit.