IMPORTANT: UTRGV Special Collections & University Archives houses materials that may be helpful for historical genealogical research.
Our access to resources is limited to free online databases and secondary source materials that have been compiled by regional genealogical researchers.
Vital records should be requested online through the Texas Department of State Health Services. This includes
Protected vital records include:
Genealogical societies and organizations are the best resources for discovering your family ancestry.
Searching for indigenous heritage in Texas requires special consideration for colonial Spanish and Mexican records, including municipal and parish records. We recommend the research compiled by John Schmal for Indigenous Mexico to get started.
The U.S. Department of Interior also provides insight for genealogical research, which recommends researchers "begin research in current, rather than historic records. If an individual is not currently a member of a federally recognized tribe, band or group research should begin in non-Indian records or other public records such as those records maintained by state and local governments, churches, and schools. Individuals should find all the information they can about their parents, grandparents, and more distant ancestors and write such information down..."
Official tribal websites:
UTRGV Special Collections & Archives does not have access to original church records for Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, or Starr counties. Generally, we rely on access to online databases, published sources, and transcribed indexes (indices) of records for genealogical research.
For patrons seeking original records please consider the following for Texas, Church Records, 1852-1994:
Records vary by county in Texas; they generally contain information such as court documents, marriage records, deed records, and probate minutes. We strongly recommend beginning your county records search online:
Census records are an excellent place to begin expanding information on your family. There you will find members of households, ages, and occupations, as well as countries or states of origin. Begin with the latest census records released, and work backward to 1790 (the State of Texas was founded in 1848). Note: the 1890 census was destroyed by fire. Census records are widely available online via genealogy databases. UTRGV faculty, staff, and students can use HeritageQuest Online.
After a person's death, their Social Security Number and information are made available as public information. The Social Security Death Index is a database of deaths reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) beginning about 1962 that have been purchased and made available by various organizations. For more information about the SSDI, and links to search pages, go to The Social Security Death Index: A Genealogy Records Guide, or use a genealogy database like HeritageQuest.
Find information on a variety of topics related to immigrants from the late 1700s through the early 2000s, including immigration and naturalization, passport records, visas, A-files, and more. Click here to link to more information: https://www.archives.gov/research/immigration
The Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy research guides are organized by category according to their respective topics. Explore the information and resources in each guide, which encompass Library collections on-site and online, as well as quality materials available through important repositories across the country and around the world. https://guides.loc.gov/local-history-genealogy-research-guides/introduction
Finding Your Hispanic Roots
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Starting with an examination of basic research principles and techniques, illustrated with examples from actual Hispanic research experience, it goes on to discuss such important subjects as language and handwriting, Hispanic surnames, methods of tracing Hispanic immigrants in U.S. records, and, most importantly, how to conduct Hispanic genealogical research in LDS Family History Centers, where the researcher has access to the largest body of Hispanic records in the United States. With this foundation in place, the work proceeds with an examination of the types of records found in all Hispanic countries, using examples from many of them and indicating where particular record types are found. Covered here are such indispensable records as civil registers of births, marriages, and deaths; church records of baptisms, marriages, and burials; census records; military records; and the often under-utilized notarial records.
Finding Your Mexican Ancestors
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Finding Your Mexican Ancestors is essential to any researcher looking to trace their heritage across the Rio Grande. In it, authors George and Peggy Ryskamp show how easy Mexican American research can be providing detailed descriptions of parish records, civil records, and other types of records common in Mexico.
Genealogy Online
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Find your roots This effective hands-on resource explores the vast world of ancestry-related networks, Web sites, and online services, explaining which ones best suit your purposes. Learn to organize your search, where to begin, where to go on the Web, and how to use chat rooms, mailing lists, and Usenet effectively.
Hispanic American Genealogical Sourcebook
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This text provides historical genealogical information on Hispanic Americans. The book looks specifically at their emigration history and genealogical records, and features a directory of genealogical information.
Mexican Genealogy Research Online
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"Mexican Genealogy Research Online: A Guide to Help You Discover Your Mexican Ancestry" will provide you with a solid foundation to being able to find your Mexican Ancestors online. Practically without leaving your home.
These archival resources have been digitized, and the scanned pages are available online. However, the records have not been indexed and require patrons to browse pages:
If you prefer old-school, in-person research, then use the library's online catalog to see what is available on microfilm:
Appointments are recommended for most new researchers. Our team is available in Brownsville and Edinburg to assist you with identifying resources.
