Texas State Genealogical Society

The purpose of the Texas State Genealogical Society is to promote, assist, develop, and conserve the genealogical and historical resources of Texas and to cooperate with local, regional, and statewide groups in promoting an awareness of the need to preserve family heritage

Benefits

 * What are the benefits for becoming a member of the society? Individual/Family Membership benefits include:    Subscription to STIRPES, a quarterly journal     Free Queries with a Texas connection     Discounted fee for our annual State Conference     Eligible for annual awards for publications or web sites Partner Society Membership benefits include:     Subscription to STIRPES, a quarterly journal     Receive Speakers' Bureau booklet when published (last published 2011)     Can contribute their publications for sale list which will compiled into a booklet that will be        distributed to other partner societies and libraries (will be published in 2013)     Society is eligible for annual awards for their publications or web sites     Society is eligible for an one-time archival grant     Society is eligible for matching grant funds for a publishing project


 * What are the benefits the society has to offer for those who are not members?

History of the society

 * The Texas State Genealogical Society (TSGS) was founded on November 28, 1960, in Fort Worth, Texas, and is incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas as an educational and literary corporation.
 * The purpose of TSGS is to promote, assist, develop, and conserve the genealogical and historical resources of Texas and to cooperate with local, regional, and statewide groups in promoting an awareness of the need to preserve family heritage.
 * Membership to the TSGS is open to individuals, societies, libraries, museums and family surname associations.

Society Officers

 * President, John Wylie	[mailto: president@txsgs.org president@txsgs.org]
 * Director of Education, Susan Kaufman	[mailto: education@txsgs.org]
 * Director of Membership, Susan Ball	[mailto: membership@txsgs.org membership@txsgs.org]
 * Director of Development, Randy Whited	[mailto:development@txsgs.org development@txsgs.org]
 * Director of Communications, Caroline Pointer	[mailto: publicity@txsgs.org publicity@txsgs.org]
 * Secretary, Linda Reynolds	[mailto: secretary@txsgs.org secretary@txsgs.org]
 * Treasurer, Scott Fitzgerald	[mailto: treasurer@txsgs.org treasurer@txsgs.org]

Publications

 * STIRPES, journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society, Inc., is published four times a year, in March, June, September and December. The editorial board solicits articles and materials such as letters, diaries, photographs, and book reviews relating to Texas genealogy and history. STIRPES has no quotas with respect to authorship or content. Edited works may be submitted to the author for review at the end of the editing process prior to publication. The author retains copyright to his work. The Texas State Genealogical Society retains the right to print this material exclusively for one year dating from its first printing in STIRPES. The writer may use and distribute his material for presentations, lectures, seminars, or for similar purposes.
 * Texas First Families, Volumes 1 and 2- TSGS offers several Heritage Certificates, including Texas First Families. To qualify, applicants must prove direct or collateral descent from an ancestor who settled in Texas before February 19, 1846, the day of the ceremony on which the Republic of Texas turned the government over to the State of Texas. A collateral ancestor would be a brother, sister, uncle, or aunt or your Texas ancestor who was in Texas by this date. The relationship must be explained onthe LIne of Descent Chart. Frequently, this information is compiled into a series of Texas First Families books. Volumes 1 and 2 are currently available from TSGS. Volume 3 will be published in 2013.

Heritage Certificates
TSGS offers several certificate programs for pioneers and notable service to Texas. The same application form can be used for all Texas State Genealogical Society certificate programs by indicating at the top of the application form which program you are applying to. Applicants do not need to reside in Texas or be members of the Texas State Genealogical Society. Applicants must be able to prove descent with official records for each generation and for the qualifying service or settlement.


 * Texas First Families Certificate
 * Gone to Texas Pioneer Certificate
 * West Texas Pioneer Certificate
 * Descendants of Texas Rangers Certificate
 * Greer County Pioneer Certificate

Frequently Asked Questions