Texas Biography

United States   Texas    Texas Biography

Biographies provide useful genealogical information such as an individual’s birth date and place (including foreign birthplaces where applicable); family members; occupation and education; and social, political, and religious affiliation. They may also contain a physical description of the person, his or her previous residences, and immigration information. Biographies are the product of family knowledge or previous research compiled about early settlers and prominent citizens of the state, county, or town. Many lesser-known individuals may have biographical sketches written about them in local histories.

See United States Biographies for information on nationwide biographical collections. See also the "History" and "Genealogy" sections for additional sources.

Most of the major archives mentioned in Texas Archives and Libraries have collections of biographical materials.


 * An ongoing project to index more than 200 biographical and historical publications in the Texas Collection at Baylor University has produced the Biographical Gazetteer of Texas. Austin, Texas: W.M. Morrison Books, 1985- Volumes 1-6, alphabetical;


 * Bailey, Ernest Emory. Texas Historical and Biographical Record With a Genealogical Study of Historical Family Records. Austin, Texas: Texas Historical and Biographical Record, N.d.


 * Bailey, Emory E., et al. Who's Who in Texas. Dallas, Texas: Who's Who Publishing, 1931.


 * Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas, 1889. Reprint, Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1978. and
 * Davis, Ellis Arthur and Edwin H. Grobe. Encyclopedia of Texas. Dallas: Texas Development Bureau, 190? {{FHL|186741|item|disp=FHL book 976.4 D3de, 1929 edition; {{FHL|186733|item|disp=FHL films 962725-29}} [larger print] or {{FHL|186733|item|disp=FHL fiche 6046992}}


 * Brown, John Henry. Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas. 1880. Reprint. Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1978. {{FHL|71419|item|disp=FHL book 976.4 D3b,}} 1978; 1880 edition: {{FHL|186707|item|disp=FHL film 924460 item 1}}; {{FHL|186707|item|disp=FHL film 1000597 item 4; fiche 6051506}}


 * Crockett, David. Col. Crockett's Exploits and Adventures in Texas. (New York : Wm. H. Graham, Tribune Buildings, 1848. Free digital copy.