Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1903 to 2000.

The collection consists of indexes to deaths from the Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit in Austin. The index is provided by Ancestry.com.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
The index lists the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Title
 * Date of death
 * Death place
 * Sex
 * Marital status
 * Certificate number

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the name of the deceased and some other identifying information such as death date or place.

Search the Collection
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor. Keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:


 * Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
 * Use the death date, place of death or certificate number to locate your ancestor in the death reacords

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * This is only an index. The death records are in a seperate collection. Once you have found your ancestor in the index you should use the information to search for them in the death records.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have died in the same place or nearby.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Look for a different index. There are multiple death indexes available on FamilySearch. In addition, local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Try searching the death records rather than the index.

Related Websites
Online Texas Death Indexes and Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * Texas
 * Texas History
 * Texas Vital Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VZC8-QHB: accessed 4 April 2012), Cecil Henderson (1964).