Welcome to Central Texas Genealogical Society!
 

 
Learning to "Read" a Cemetery
Would you like to learn to “read” a cemetery? It’s a genealogical adventure! On many older gravestones, there are pictures and symbols that tell stories about your loved ones and ancestors. If you can’t read “gravestone-language” you are missing part of the story. CTGS has posted this interesting trio of blog entries from the Billion Graves web site that will provide invaluable tools to unlock these symbols. You'll find it on our "Helpful Facts" Research Aids page.

 
Members - Don't forget to check for NEW QUERIES! You could be someone's genealogical savior. Visitors- Feel free to email your queries and requests for genealogical help to the CTGS Webmaster.
 

Search Engine Tips
 
Have you tried the CTGS Search Engine? It's a great tool to get the most out of your visit to CTGS.ORG, even if you are not a member! The whole web site is searchable by any user. However if you are not a member, the search engine may point to areas that require membership for full access. To gain full access, just purchase an inexpensive CTGS membership. A "Research Membership" (for users from outside of Texas) is only $10 per year. That averages less than a $1 per month!
 
Members- If you will log in BEFORE doing your search, then the search will take you straight to the document or resource you need. Once in the document, press Ctrl-F to search for occurences of your information within the document.
 
The CTGS Search Engine is powered by Google, so all the search techniques (like wild cards) you normally use in Google Searches will work the same way here.
 

What's Behind "Members Only"?
 
The Members Only portion of this website is home to lots of interesting and helpful data.  Join CTGS at a single membership of $20 to view the following information:

CTGS Needs You!!!!
Volunteers are the heart of CTGS!  Would you consider several of the following ways you can help make CTGS a more effective, vibrant organization?  Contact the volunteer coordinator for more information. 
  • Enter data records into the website
  • Write an article for the quarterly publication
  • Volunteer at the annual lock-in
  • Submit articles for the website
  • Volunteer at the Genealogy Center
  • Lead or start a NEW Special Interest Group
  • Do research for others from home or the library
  • Monetary donations
  • Present a program on a topic you are interested in
 


 
 
Proud Member of

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There are three types of wills: Attested, Holographic and Nuncupative. The attested will is the most common and is prepared for the testator. A holographic will is written by the testator himself. A nuncupative will are the deathbed wishes of the testator, recorded by a witness present at the bedside. All wills must be witnessed.
[Probate Records]
Ellis Island was owned by a New Jersey merchant-farmer named Samuel Ellis during the American Revolution. After his death the State of New York purchased the island for $10,000.00.It was later sold to the U.S. Federal government.
[Immigration-Emigration]
A large volume of military records from Austria’s empire helps make up for hard-to-access church records.
[European Research]
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