Unlock the Secrets of Your Texas Ancestors: A Guide to Genealogical Research in Austin, Texas

Are you eager to uncover the mysteries of your Texas ancestors? Austin, Texas is the perfect place to begin your genealogical journey. The city is home to the Austin History Center, which provides a wealth of resources for those interested in tracing their family history. The center offers nine computers for public use, a conference room, genealogical reference material, a printer, and programs dedicated to genealogy. The National Archives genealogy page offers comprehensive information on research facilities, policy issues, publications, genealogical workshops, and more.

TxGenWeb is the Texas component of the USGENWEB project, a group of volunteers who work together to provide Internet websites for genealogical research in every county and state of the United States. Although there is a lot of information available online, not everything you need for Texas genealogy can be found digitally. The Genealogy Collection of 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. The following websites will provide many important details specific to each state for those looking for Texas genealogical data.

The Best Approaches to Texas Genealogical Research

Most state genealogical research work begins in public records, and these tend to fall into three titles or categories.

Methods for Searching for Texas Genealogical Data

Massive and historic, the state of Texas is also a land where an astounding number of individuals and families have connections. Genealogists with ancestors from lands that are (or were) in Texas can find a treasure trove of different types of records in the Lone Star State to help them research. This means that any research on Texas genealogy must also take into account the different offline locations.

Cyndi's list of genealogy sites on the Internet provides thematic access to almost every genealogy topic imaginable. When starting any search for Texas genealogical information, you can go online and use available digital files, and even obtain copies of historical materials or documents. To make sure you get the most out of your research efforts in Austin, it's important to understand the different methods available for searching for Texas genealogical data. Here are some tips that will help you get started:

  • Start by searching online databases such as Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org.
  • Visit local libraries or archives to access physical records.
  • Look through old newspapers or magazines.
  • Check out local cemeteries or churches.
  • Attend local genealogy events or workshops.
By taking advantage of all these resources and methods available in Austin, you can uncover the secrets of your Texas ancestors and build an accurate family tree.