Erath County Genealogical Society

05/12/2026

ECGS has NOT emailed something from a Registrar asking you to click a link. Note the message is not signed with an officers name and Dublin Public Library address. The one forwarded to me just now says ‘Registrar Terri Briggs’. This is not from Erath Gen Society and recommended to be deleted.

02/27/2026

Are you a McKinney descendant, or Texas History enthusiast? See www.collinmckinney.com for details about Collin McKinney Day, April 18, 2026, 9am to 5pm. In celebration of his 260th birthday, this event is presented by the Anna Area Historical Preservation Society, the Van Alstyne Historical Society, the Collin County History Museum, the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation, and the Collin McKinney Gateway.

The Collin McKinney Gateway offers an in-depth look at Collin McKinney’s life, legacy, & accomplishments in North Texas. Join us & celebrate Collin McKinney Day

02/17/2026

RESEARCHING LAW ENFORCEMENT ANCESTORS
West Waco Library & Genealogy Center (5301 Bosque Blvd.) on Saturday, March 14, 2026,
for Badges and Bloodlines: Researching Your Law Enforcement Ancestor.
This FREE all-day event will focus on records connected to law enforcement, including sheriffs, police, and the Texas Rangers. You’ll learn where to look for service files, association records, personnel files, newspaper stories, and other resources that can shed light on your ancestors’ lives.
Limited Space. Register here to save your spot: https://calendar.wacolibrary.org/event/14926042

8:30 am Doors Open for Sign-In & Registration

9:00 am – 10:00 am Tracing Police Officers in the Historical Record
Sean Sutcliffe, Local History Librarian
Discover the many records left behind by police officers, from personnel files and oral histories to newspapers and memorabilia. This session highlights both official documents and community sources that can bring a lawman’s story to life.

10:10 am – 11:10 am Understanding the Role and Records of Sheriffs
Dr. Ronnie Erwin, Author, and Historian
Learn what a sheriff is, how the role developed, and what kinds of records sheriffs created. This session introduces key public and government sources, access considerations, and historical context essential for sheriff research.
11:20 am – 12:20 pm Getting Started with Texas Ranger Research

Jacqui Sweeney, Librarian Texas Ranger Research Center & Eric Richards, Collection Manager TRHFM
Separate myth from history with an overview of Texas Ranger timelines, types of rangers, and common misconceptions. Learn how to evaluate family stories, identify research clues, and use memorabilia to take the first steps in documenting Ranger service.

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch on Your Own

1:40 pm – 2:40 pm Key Resources for Texas Ranger Research
Eric Richards, Collection Manager TRHFM & Bill Buckner, Library & Research Services Manager
Expand on the morning’s session by following the research process for two case studies. Learn how the Texas Ranger Research Center can help you search for your ancestor. Also, other research institutions that hold Texas Ranger records. Learn what records to look for and questions you should be asking.

2:50 pm – 3:50 pm Following Leads and Finding Sherriff Stories
Dr. Ronnie Erwin, Author and Historian
Explore advanced sheriff research through newspapers, archives, private collections, and records from defunct counties. Learn how cemetery records, newspapers, and other sources can help tell the stories of sheriffs in your family history.

Register here to save your spot: https://calendar.wacolibrary.org/event/14926042

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Waco Genealogy Center at 254-750-5945 or email Bill Buckner at [email protected].

Celebrate International Genealogy Day with a hands-on workshop designed to help you dig deeper into your family history. This all-day event will focus on finding and using records...

01/14/2026

FYI, Caprock Genealogy Conference, Plainview, Texas, April 11, 2026
Registration opens Feb. 16. Co-sponsored by Amarillo, Lubbock, and Plainview genealogy societies, the Seventh Annual (2026) conference will take place at the Plainview Country Club.

2021 Caprock Genealogy Conference featuring guest speaker Billie Stone Fogarty, M.Ed. Join us April 17 for the live conference and enjoy a month of access to the conference resources and recordings!

12/16/2025

Requestor: Evelynn Kelly asks if anyone knows any info, incidents, battles, relative to the Erath County region, for the "Regulators and Moderators War"? 1837-1857. She is reading book by John W. Middleton, 1883, that has three "Erath" mentions. But she would like to know if anyone has more to share. read public domain free ebook

09/09/2025

07/27/2025

Mark Your Calendar for the 2025 Genealogy Workshop on Friday, October 17th 9am–4pm, sponsored by Erath County Genealogical Society, held at Dublin Public Library. Available both In Person and Virtual, attendees are asked to Bring Your Own Lunch. Snacks, Drinks, Door Prizes will be Provided. Topics include: Beginning Your Family History Research; Using Collateral Lines, and Using Civil Court Case Documents; Writing About Your Family History; and more. Registration is required to secure your seat for this Free Event. Email [email protected] or Text (817) 680-5691 :
+your name,
+your email address,
+attending In Person OR Online.

07/21/2025

Local Histories There are thousands of books that have been written about the local history of towns that your ancestors lived in. There also might be a good chance that they are mentioned in these local histories FamilySearch’s digitized books and their Catalog are great places to search for these gems. Also, Google Books and/or HathiTrust may have some of these publications. Remember to search PERSI as well for periodicals containing local history stories.