Texas, Gonzalez de la Garza Genealogy Collection - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The genealogical card file of approximately 270,000 cards compiled by Rodolfo Gonzalez de la Garza represents thousands of families of Southern Texas and Northern Mexico. The card file is an index of families by surname, which includes basic information extracted from Gonzalez's books. The records are in Spanish and the cards contain numerous abbreviations. The card file is in the Laredo Public Library.

Rodolfo Gonzalez de la Garza collected genealogical data on hundreds of families in Northern Mexico and Texas. The collection includes information from the 1800s and 1900s. The card index was created to provide a rapid access to the information in the Gonzalez de la Garza collection. The information is generally reliable.

For an alphabetical list of names currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Record Content
Each card contains different information. They may contain any of the following:


 * Names
 * Birth, marriage, or death dates
 * Relationships

How to Use the Record
To begin your search you will need to know


 * The name of your ancestor
 * Some other identifying information such as birth date.

Search the Collection
To search the collection by image ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "Name Range" category which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination. 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

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add any new information to existing records about your family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the names, dates, and places as the basis for family groups or to build a family pedigree.
 * Use the dates along with places or residences to help you locate the family in other records such as census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * This collection is considered a secondary source, but the information on the cards can lead you to other primary records.
 * The information on the cards is brief so it is easy to confuse individuals.

Related Websites
Hispanic Local History and Genealogy in the United States

Related Wiki Articles

 * Texas
 * Texas Genealogy

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
“Citations for individual image records are available for this collection. Browse through images in this collection and click on the “Show Citation” box: Texas, Gonzalez de la Garza Genealogy Collection

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 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.