Edwards County, Texas Genealogy

Guide to Edwards County Texas ancestry, family history, and genealogy research page. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records. 

Description
The county was named for Haden Edwards, an early settler of Nacogdoches, Texas. The Edwards Aquifer and Edwards Plateau are named after the county by reason of their locations. The County is located in the west-central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Edwards County Courthouse PO Box 184 Rocksprings, TX 78880-0184 Phone: 830.683.2235

County Clerk has birth and death records from 1903, marriage, divorce, probate, court and land records from 1884

County and District Clerk

P.O. Box 184 Rocksprings 78880 Phone: 830-683-2235

The towns of Bullhead (now called Vance), 1883-1884, and Leakey, 1884-1891, both served as county seats for Edwards County. In 1891, Rock Springs (now Rocksprings) became the county seat. Bullhead and Leakey are both in the portion of Edwards County that became Real County in 1913. Leakey became the county seat of Real County.

The current Edwards County courthouse was built in 1891. In 1898 it was destroyed by fire, with only the outer walls remaining. The building was rebuilt. In 1927, a tornado swept through Rocksprings killing 70 people and destroying much of the town. The roof of the courthouse was damaged. The courthouse served as a refuge for the tornado victims.

History
Edwards County was named for Hayden Edwards, one of the first American settlers of Nacogdoches.

Parent County
1858--Edwards County was created 1 February 1858 from Bexar Land District, but was not officially organized until 1883.


 * County seats:
 * 1) 1883-1884-Bullhead (now called Vance)
 * 2) 1884-1891-Leakey
 * 3) 1891-present-Rocksprings (spelled Rock Springs)

Boundary Changes
1913--Real County was carved out of the eastern section of Edwards County.

Record Loss
1888-- Edwards County Courthouse at Leakey, built in 1883, burned on 10 July 1888.

189 -- Edwards County Courthouse at Rocksprings, built in 1891, burned. Only the walls remained standing. The building was rebuilt. No record loss.

1927-- Edwards County Courthouse at Rocksprings roof damaged by tornado. No record loss.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Neighboring Counties
Kerr •  Kimble  •  Kinney  •  Real  •  Sutton  •  Uvalde  •  Val Verde

Cemeteries
Cemetery records often reveal birth, marriage, death, relationship, military, and religious information.

Census

 * 1900 Federal Census - images - USGenWeb Archives Project

Land

 * Original Land Owners of Texas - USGenWeb Archives Project
 * Land Abstract- TXGenWeb

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1906 - 1989 — index and images

Local Histories

 * Edwards County History from the Handbook of Texas Online.

Maps

 * Texas Counties Map. Click on the county to go to the TXGenWeb site.

Military

 * 1838 - 1900 - Texas Muster Roll Index Cards at Ancestry.com — index and images $

Mexican-American War

 * 1845 - 1848 - US American Volunteer Soldiers Mexican War at Ancestry.com — index $

Civil War
Online Records
 * 1861 - 1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1861 - 1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * Confederate Pension Applications - USGenWeb Archives Project

World War I

 * 1917 - 1920 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Probate
Online Probate Records


 * 1800-1990 at FamilySearch — images
 * 1800-2000 Texas Wills and Probate Records at Ancestry.com — index and images $

Birth
Online Birth Indexes and Records


 * 1840-1981 Texas, Births and Christenings - FamilySearch
 * 1903-1935 Texas, Birth Certificates (images and index) - FamilySearch
 * 1903-1997 Texas Birth Index (index) - FamilySearch

Marriage
Online Marriage Indexes and Records


 * 1802-2010 Texas, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1814-1909 and 1966-2011 Texas Marriage Collection at [http://home.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com — index $
 * 1837-1965 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1837-1973 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1837-1977 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1837-1977 Texas Select County Marriage Index at Ancestry.com — index $
 * 1966-2010 Texas, Marriages - FamilySearch record collection

Death
Online Death Indexes and Records


 * 1890-1976 Texas Death Records [with images] Name index and images of statewide death certificates, 1890-1976. The name index has been created by FamilySearch and is tied to images of the Texas death certificates. Few certificates are available prior to 1903.
 * 1903-1973 Texas Deaths and Burials index) - FamilySearch
 * 1903-1982 Texas Death Certificates at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1964-1998 Texas Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records]] Name index to Texas Statewide Death Certificates or four million people who have died since 1964.
 * 1977-1986 at FamilySearch.org — index

Divorce

 * 1968-2005 Texas Divorce Records (index) - Hidden Ancestors
 * 1968-2010 at FamilySearch.org — index
 * 1968-2011 Texas Divorces at Ancestry.com — index $

Societies and Libraries
German-Texan Heritage Society 507 East 10th Street GTHS PO Box 684171 Austin, Texas 78768-4171 website

Websites

 * TXGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the county
 * USGenWeb project - May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * The catalog is genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) This catalog is different than the indexed Historical Records.