Texas, Church Records, 1845-1957 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is in This Collection?
This collection includes images of an index of parish registers, marriages, baptisms, burials, deaths, confirmations and communions from various churches throughout the state of Texas (from Anderson, Bexar, El Pasco, Fayette, Galveston, Kinney, Lavaca and Uvalde counties) for the years 1845-1957. Most of the records are from the Catholic Church which included the Archdiocese of Galveston, El Paso and San Antonio. Many marriages recorded in the South, are separated by race in volumes, books, or registers. Be sure to check to determine if you have the right set of marriage records.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Name of spouse
 * Date of event
 * Location of event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Look at the actual image of the record, if you can, to verify the information and to find additional information.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the age or estimated birth date to find other church and vital records such as birth, baptism, and death records
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in censuses.

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives.
 * Try different spellings of the person’s names
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names.
 * Check the info box above for additional FamilySearch websites and related websites that may assist you in finding similar records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Texas.
 * Texas Guided Research
 * Texas Record Finder
 * Texas Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Texas Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog
Anderson County Bexar County
 * Francis J. Furey, Archdiocese of San Antonio San Antonio, Texas : F.J. Furey, c1974 FHL 976.4351 K2f
 * Rev. M.J. Gilbert, compiler and editor,  Archdiocese of San Antonio, 1874-1949 San Antonio, Texas : R.E. Lucey, c1949 FHL 976.4351 K2g
 * First Christian Church Records, 1888-1927
 * Palestine, Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church South, Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, South records, 1886-1897, 1903-1920
 * Palestine, St. Phillips Episcopal Church Records, 1859-1980
 * Palestine, Mount Vernon Methodist Episcopal, Church records, 1879-1935
 * Palestine, First Methodist Episcopal Church South Records, 1918-1956
 * Palestine, Marriage records, First Methodist Church, Palestine, Texas, 1893-1948
 * Palestine, Catholic Church. Sacred Heart, Parish Registers, 1890-1957
 * Losoya, Catholic Church. St. Carmen, Parish registers, 1855-1956
 * Somerset, Catholic Church. St. Mary's, Parish registers, 1868-1956
 * Von Ormy, Catholic Church. Sacred Heart, Parish registers, 1866-1956

 El Pasco County
 * Socorro, Catholic Church. San Elizario, Church records, 1845-1929
 * Socorro, Catholic Church, Parish registers, 1840-1862
 * Socorro, Catholic Church. La Purisima, Parish registers, 1845-1956

 Fayette County
 * High Hill, Catholic Church. St. Mary's, Parish registers, 1875-1957

 Galveston County
 * Galveston, Catholic Church. Holy Rosary, Parish registers, 1890-1957

 Kinney County
 * Brackettville, Catholic Church. St. Mary Magdalen, Parish registers, 1875-1957

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Texas, Church Records, 1852-1994

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.