Texas Roots before 1845

Do you have ancestors or relatives who live(d) in Texas? Have you wondered how to research Texans before Texas became a state in the union?

I've written about TIGR before, giving an overview of the institute, and I also detailed the TIGR course on "African Americans in the South". This post will highlight another of the excellent course offerings this year.

Dive into Texan genealogy with "From Spanish Rule to Republic: Research in the Lone Star State," the week-long course at the virtual Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR) this June 13–18, 2021!

Texas became a state when the Republic of Texas was annexed by the United States on 29 December 1845. Power was formally transferred to the new state from the Republic on 19 February 1846.

Once a part of the United States, Texans would appear in U.S. Federal records like any other state. But where does one go to find those very same Texans before this important date of 1845? How does a researcher find a Texan during the Republic of Texas or in the time of Spanish Rule?

From Spanish Rule to Republic: Research in the Lone Star State

"This course will provide a foundation for researching ancestors in pre-statehood Texas. Students will learn how to find and analyze key record collections from the Spanish, Mexican, and Republic eras, and gain an understanding of what life was like for their ancestors in those time periods."

Highlights of the course

• Hispanic Research Fundamentals
• Spanish Colonial Texas 1703-1836: Jurisdictions and Migration
• Catholic Records
• Language techniques
• Land records
• Colonial censuses
• Civil registrations
• Tax and military records

To read the full schedule of this institute course, including all of the sessions during the week, click here.

Faculty

There are excellent faculty at TIGR, bringing a breadth of research experience, professionalism, and teaching skills. This course is coordinated by Kelvin L. Meyers and Colleen Robledo Greene who are joined by six other instructors from various disciplines. 

Kevin L. Meyers - Co-Coordinator - Kevin is a fifth generation Texan, a professional forensic genealogist, and is the director of TIGR. He specializes in southern brick wall problems, and has taught at IGHR and SLIG.

Colleen Robledo Greene - Co-Coordinator - Colleen is a librarian, genealogist, and educator especially focused on methodology and Hispanic research. Her personal research is focused on Mexico, California, and Texas. 

Henrietta Martinez Christmas - Henrietta is a native New Mexican - with deep roots documented to 1598 with soldiers coming with Oñate. She is a researcher, author, and historian whose work has appeared in books, exhibits and other historical points of interest in New Mexico.

Frank de la Teja, PhD - Frank is a professor emeritus, the past Chief Executive Officer of the Texas State Historical Association, and is a published author and editor. He has served and worked in numerous organizations in Texas from the archives to the State Board of Education to genealogical societies.

Kevin Klaus - Kevin is a researcher in the Texas General Land Office Archives and Records Program Area. He focuses on the German settlers in Texas and has a background in anthropology, archaeology and public history.

John A. Sellers - John is a native Texan, a researcher since 1985, and a nationally recognized speaker. He has conducted extensive research in Texas and Louisiana. John is also Mayor of Sulphur Springs.

Brian A. Stauffer, PhD - Brian is from Wyoming and has a PhD in Latin American History. His focus is on religious and agrarian history of Mexico and Mexican Texas. He is a published author, and is the Translator and Curator of the Spanish Collection at the Texas General Land Office.

Ari Wilkins - Ari is an experienced genealogist and speaker specializing in African American research and migration. She is the owner of Black Genesis, a genealogical consulting company, and is a Library Associate at Dallas Public Library. 

Registration

The course is limited to 40 participants, so register today! Registration is open now, and if you sign up before April 30, 2021, the cost is $425 for non-members of Texas State Genealogical Society. 

Registration after May 1,2021 is $475 and is open until May 31, 2021. 

To register, click here.

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Texas history reaches back much further than statehood. Researching Texans before 1845 requires different skills, knowledge, and tools for success. "From Spanish Rule to Republic: Research in the Lone Star State" is a great way to dig deeper into Texan genealogy!

Have you been to an institute before? Are you ready to take the dive deeper into one of these great topics? Register today!

If you have any questions about TIGR this year, don't hesitate to ask me; I'll do my best to help you find answers to your questions. 

Your ancestors deserve the best researcher, the most passionate story-teller, and the dignity of being remembered. So let's encounter your ancestors through family history and remember the past made present today!