Resources

Official Resources

Inclusion on this list is at the discretion of the AGS board. It is not an endorsement of any site or product.

My HeritageA rapidly growing alternative to Ancestry where you can build a family tree,  mine over six billion records, and make DNA matches. Subscriptionhttps://www.myheritage.com/

Portal to Texas History (University of North Texas Libraries)Leverages the power of hundreds of content partners across the state to a growing collection of Texas resourceshttps://texashistory.unt.edu/

CategoryResourceInfoWebsitePhone
Austin/Travis County
 Asian American Resource CenterResources from an Asian American/Pacific Islander perspectivehttps://ww.austintexas.gov/department/asian-american-resource-center512.974.1700
 Austin History CenterArchives for Austin and Travis County. Many original records, including Travis County probate minutes, property records.  AHC is the history/genealogy center of the Austin Public Libraryhttps://library.austintexas.gov/ahc512.499.7840
 Briscoe Center for American History/UTexasArchival & Manuscript collections, county histories, newspapers, periodicalshttps://www.cah.utexas.edu 
 Catholic Diocese Archives of TexasHistorical materials pertaining to Catholics in Texas & southwest U.S.Call for appointment512.476.6296
 Family History Centers (LDS)Call for hours and two locations.  Assistance available for FHC searches 512.892.6483
 George Washington Carver Genealogy  CenterThe center is an extension of the Carver Museum and is a dominant resource for learning about African American family history.  Call for hourshttps://www.austintexas.gov/carvermuseum512.974.4926
 Heritage House MuseumPreserves the local Pflugerville history, from the early history of the German families who founded the city,  forwardhttps://library.pflugervilletx.gov/services/heritage-house-museum 
 Lakeway Heritage CenterConserves and promotes the documents, photographs and memorabilia of Lakeway Historyhttps//lakeway-tx.gov/1684/Heritage-Center512.608.9533
 LBJ Presidential Library/UTexasOver 35 million items relating to his rise to the Presidency, Texas history from the 1930’s, landmark civil rights programs,  Vietnam warhttps://www.lbjlibrary.org/512.916.5137 ext. 274
 Manchaca Onion Creek Historical AssociationDedicated to preserving and sharing the history of southern Travis Countyhttps://www.facebook.com/Manchaca-Onion-Creek-Historical-Association-232895436773102/ 
 Perry Casteneda Library/UTexasHuge collection of manuscripts, maps, newspapers, periodicals, government papers.  Finding aids usefulhttps://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/index.html 
 Pflugerville Public LibraryThe library has multiple resources for genealogy,  ranging from databases to books and programshttps://library.pflugervilletx.gov/512.990.6375
 Save Austin’s CemeteriesPreserving Austin cemeteries as local and state cultural resources through documentation, preservation, educationhttps://www.sachome.org 
 Travis County ArchivesDocuments Travis County governing,  preserves and provides access to essential county records and preserves records of historical value.  Appointment onlyhttps://www.traviscountyhistory.org512.854.4675
 Travis County Historical CommissionIdentifies historic sites in Travis County and works collaboratively to maintain and recognize the siteshttps://www.traviscountytx.gov/historical-commission 
 Texas Department of Vital Recordsbirths & deaths (1903-current), marriage and divorce (1968-current)https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/default.shtm512.458.7711
 Texas General Land OfficeTexas Homestead claims, land grants back to early 18th century, early Spanish & Texas maps https://www.glo.texas.gov/512.463.5001
 Texas Historical CommissionHistorical Marker data, maps of historic site. State agency for historical preservation of cemeteries, architectural history, marker date, preservation educationhttps://www.thc.texas.gov512.463.6100
 Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp MabryHistory of the military forces of the state of Texas. Extensive library and archiveshttps://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org512.482.0927
 Texas State Library and ArchivesTexas archival collectionshttps://www.tsl.texas.gov/512.463.5469
Bastrop County
 Bastrop Public LibraryFamily histories, indexes, cemetery records, local newspapers, county vital records. Texana collection of Texas history, lifestyle, culture and peopleshttps://www.bastroplibrary.org512.321.5441
 Bastrop Family History CenterCall for hours.  Assistance with FHC searches 512.321.3100
Bexar County/San Antonio
 Alamo Complex DRT LibraryArtifacts and documents of early Texas colonization and Republic of Texas periods, maps, documents, photos, periodicals, newspapers, family papers 210.225.1071
Blanco County/Johnson
 Blanco County Historical CommissionFamily Histories, census, newspaper clippings, news articles, old photo collections, journalshttps://txgenwebcounties.org/blanco/ 
Burnet County
 Herman Brown Free LibraryVertical Files for surnames and history of Burnet and surrounding counties, printed family histories, federal and Texas census indexes; microfilmed newspapers from 1880s; Texas and Texas counties reference; large collection of other state genealogy reference books. Volunteer assistance by appointmenthttps://hermanbrownlibrary.org/genealogy/512.715.5228
 Marble Falls Family History CenterCall for hours.  Assistance with FHC searches 830.693.6545
Caldwell County/Luling
 Luling Public LibraryVertical files, county & communities books including church, cemetery, family histories, newspapers. Non-Caldwell County records, books & quarterlies. Texas federal censushttps://www.cityofluling.net/266/Caldwell-Co-Genealogical-and-Historical830.875.9466
Comal County
 Sophienburg ArchivesGerman Museum and Archives includes Comal County Genealogical Society’s Research collection. Collection of personal & public documentshttps://www.sophienburg.com830.629.1900
Dallas County/Dallas
 Dallas Public LibraryCollection is one of the largest in southern US. Represents all states and counties plus Germany, Britain & Canada. Includes vital, census and naturalization records, state & county histories, family histories, passenger lists and heraldry, military. Texas death certificates on microfilmhttps://dallaslibrary.org/CHS/cgc.htm214.670.1433
Harris County/Houston
 Clayton Library Center for Genealogical ResearchOne of the top genealogy research libraries in the US with holdings of over 35,000 books and over 50,000 microforms. Texas birth and death certificates on microfilmhttps://digital.houstonlibrary.org/clayton832.393.2600
 Houston Jewish History ArchiveHome to more than 120 collections comprising historical records from synagogues, communal institutions and Jewish families.https://jewishstudies.rice.edu/houston-jewish-history-archive832.393.2600
Hays County
 Hays County Historical CommissionHays County history and archiveshttps://www.hayshistoricalcommission.com/512-393-2277
 San Marcos Public LibraryBooks, photographs, maps, documents, newspapers and other archival materials related to area history, geography, cultural life, Sanborn maps, city directories, census, county records & indexeshttps://www.sanmarcostx.gov/3879/Library512.393.8200
 San Marcos Family History CenterCall for hours.  Assistance with FHC searches 512.353.8672
Hill/Hillsboro
 Texas Heritage Museum at Hill CollegeNationally recognized as a Civil War repository. Extensive collection of maps, photographic collections, microfilm and an archive that contains numerous files of soldiers’ letters, diaries and unpublished manuscripts from all Texas warshttps://www.hillcollege.edu254.659.7750
McLennan County/Waco
 Baylor University LibrariesSystem of eight libraries with variety of subjects. Includes Carroll Library with Texas collection, regional repository for central Texas county records indexeshttps://www.baylor.edu/lib/splash.php254.710.2112
 West Waco Library/Genealogy CenterExtensive genealogy collectionhttps://waco-texas.com/Departments/Library/West-Waco254.750.5945
Tarrant County/Ft. Worth
 Ft. Worth LibraryEmphasis is on the southern and midwestern states and the thirteen original states, although most of the US is represented.  The collection includes over 40,000 volumes, 9,500 rolls of microfilmhttps://fortworthtexas.gov/library/genealogy/817.392.7740
 National Archives at Ft. WorthRequires a researcher card available at visit with ID.  Closed on weekends and holidayshttps://www.archives.gov/fort-worth817-551-2051
Williamson County
 Georgetown Family History CenterCall for hours.  Assistance with FHC searches 512.863-8221
 Round Rock Family History CenterCall for hours.  Assistance with FHC searches 512.388.1160
 Georgetown Public LibraryLocal history and genealogy section includes newspapers and census on microfilmhttps://library.georgetown.org512.930.3551
 Round Rock Public LibraryGenealogy librarian. Williamson County Genealogical Society collection – surname files, county records and indexes, federal census, family histories, cemetery books, PC dedicated to genealogy databases & CDs.  Multiple general genealogy resourceshttps://www.roundrocktexas.gov/library512.218.7000
 Southwestern UniversityTexana collection, county historieshttps://www.southwestern.edu/library512.863.1563
 
Other Genealogical Resources
 Ancestry.comLargest private online genealogy database.  Subscriptionhttps://www.ancestry.com
 Austin American Statesman ArchivesDatabase includes searchable articles from the newspaper for the years 1871-1978. Articles display in PDF formathttps://austin.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S67C1758910 
 Austin Seminary ArchivesHistory of the Austin Presbyterian Seminary,  other genealogical resources, history of Mexican-American congregations in TexasAustinSeminary.edu/archives 
 Black Diaspora Archive (BDA)Started in 2015,  the BDA collects documentary, audiovisual, digital and artistic works related to the Black Diaspora of the Americas and Caribbeansites.utexas.edu/bda 
 Central Texas Society of Mayflower DescendantsThe Texas Society works to engage the public through education and understanding of the Mayflower Pilgrims voyage and why it is important and how it impacted our world today.https://texasmayflower.com/central-tx-colony 
 Chronicling AmericaInformation about historic newspapers,  produced by the national Digital Newspaper Program,  the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ 
 Cyndi’s ListA cross-categorized index to hundreds of thousands of sites for genealogical research.  Freehttps://www.cyndislist.com/ 
 Daughters of the American RevolutionA deep database chronicling the ancestry of the one million DAR members. Most information is public;  some is available only to membershttps://www.dar.org 
 Daughters of the Republic of TexasMuseum centered on the Republic of Texas period (1836-1846), DRT applications & related documents from 1891 forward. Admission feehttps://www.drtinfo.org/ 
 Descendants of Mexican War VeteransA national lineage society for descendants of both regular and volunteer officers, enlisted men, and civilian employees of the United States Armyhttps://www.dmwv.org 
 FamilySearchFamilySearch is the largest non-commercial database on the internet with multimillions of genealogical records.  Free.  Maintains a universal tree undergoing constant correction and addition.  Also offers a wealth of how-to’s https://www.familysearch.org/en/ 
 Family Tree DNAFTDNA was the first to deliver consumer DNA testing; a wide variety of tests are available.  FTDNA also maintains a large archive of Family DNA groupshttps://www.familytreedna.com/ 
 Family Tree Magazine Free Genealogy FormsMore than 60 pdf forms to fill in.  Cheat sheets and ebookshttps://www.familytreemagazine.com/freeforms/ 
 FindagraveFindagrave is a database of millions of cemetery records,  many of memorials with photos.  It is owned by Ancestry but is freehttps://www.findagrave.com/ 
 FindmypastInternational subscription database with British and Irish records.https://www.findmypast.com/ 
 Freedmen’s Bureau ProjectA volunteer project to make the records of more than four million African American Civil War era searchable. Nearly two million names are already searchablehttps://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ 
 German-Texan Heritage SocietyFocus on German and German-Texan workshops, journal queries, books, periodicals, early German newspapers, and translationshttps://germantexans.org/ 
 Heritage QuestAvailable through the Austin Public Library.   Includes censuses from 1790 to 1930,  22,00 full-text family histories,  and PERSI.  Also include Revolutionary War pension and land files,  Freedman’s Bank Records and more than 250 primary source documentshttps://austin.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S67C984175 
 Jamestowne SocietySociety of descendants of early settlers in Jamestowne, VA. Tx chapter based in San Antonio.https://www.jamestowne.org 
 National Archives (NARA)Massive database of national records, including census, military, immigration, naturalization and land. Fort Worth location of National Archives also contains federal records for Austin (part of the “Western District” of federal courts.)

https://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/start-research

https://www.archives.gov/fort-worth/finding-aids/rg-021-western-texas-courts#austin

 
 PERSIPERSI (Periodical Source Index) is a massive genealogical and local history subject index, run by the staff at the Allen County Library.  Index is free.  Images have chargehttps://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Periodical_Source_Index_(PERSI) 
 Professional Genealogists, Association ofProvides education and support for genealogy researchers and works to improve access,  facilitate research and preserve recordshttps://apgen.org903.345.4150
 RootsWebFree genealogy community using forums, mailing lists and other resources to help searchers. Users can upload files for others to searchhttps://rootsweb.com 
 Somos PrimosPublication dedicated to Hispanic heritage issues.  All volunteer-runhttps://somosprimos.com/ 
 Sons of the Republic of TexasA lineage society dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the founding families and soldiers of the Republic of Texashttps://www.srttexas.org/about.html979.245.6644
 Statue of Liberty — Ellis Island DatabaseDatabase for immigrants who entered the US through the Port of NewYork and Ellis Island 1892-1957https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/passenger 
 Swedes in TexasSource listing for exploration of Swedish Texan historyhttps://www.swedesintexas.com 
 Tejano Genealogy Society of AustinNon-profit that specializes in Hispanic genealogy and research.  Monthly meetings to share knowledge

https://tgsaustin.org

 
 Texas Czech Genealogical SocietyFounded in 2001 by Czech genealogists, this group focuses on all things related to “Texas Czechs”https://txczgs.org 
 Texas Handbook OnlineMultiple subject categories and categories from the Texas State Historical Association. Entire history of Texas from indigenous populations to the Modern Age.  Continually updatedhttps://tshaonline.org/handbook/search 
 Texas State Genealogical SocietyStatewide genealogical society with resources and conferenceshttps://www.txsgs.org/ 
 Texas Wendish Heritage SocietyA non-profit organization formed in 1972 to preserve and tell the story of the Wends who came to Texas.https://texaswendish.org 
 TXGenWebAll-volunteer effort with county webpages detailing tips, databases, surnames, local histories and morehttps://www.txgenweb.org