Texas, 1850-1900 Marriage Index

This data set contains information on approximately 272,000 individuals who were married between 1850 and 1900 in select Texas counties. Fully indexed, it is a valuable resource because it brings together previously uncollected marriage records and provides easy access to information that you would otherwise have to obtain from local sources.

Most Texas counties have maintained marriage records since the date of their organization. It is important to note, however, that until 1836 only Catholic churches could perform marriages. For that reason, occasionally a Protestant marriage will be found in Catholic records. While records prior to 1836 are held by the Church, records since that year have been the responsibility of the county clerk where the license was issued.

Statewide recording of marriages began in January 1966. Many Texas marriage records have been compiled by members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. These records are available in the Daughters of the American Revolution Library and on microfilm through the Family History Library.

Generally, you'll learn the following information about an individual listed in this data set:

• Full name
• Name of spouse
• Marriage date
• Location where the marriage was recorded
• Family History Library microfilm, microfiche, or book in which you may be able to find out additional information about your ancestors' wedding or verify the information listed here. It is important to note that, while microfilm can be borrowed from your local Family History Library, books and microfiche are usually not loaned out.

More About This Data Set

• In order to provide you with as much information as possible about a marriage, occasionally, a marriage may be listed more than once. When two listings are available for a couple, it is most likely because one listing records the filing of a marriage application while the other records issuance of a marriage license. Multiple listings could also indicate that they filed for an application in one location and were married in another or that names were spelled differently on an application and a license.
• Please note that the dates listed for each entry is most often a couple's marriage date. However, when no marriage date was given, the date of the license was substituted.
• In some records, you will find three question marks in place of the given name or surname. This indicates that the name was not listed on the original record. You may also find question marks in place of missing letters.
  

A question mark after a name indicates that the name spelling was unclear. You may also occasionally find the same record listed in the index under two different name spellings. Please note that not all unusual and uncertain names were noted by question marks, so always be sure to check under various spellings if you are having trouble locating a name.