|
 The
Archdiocesan
Archives is the central location for historical records relating to the
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the oldest diocese in Texas.
These records, which date from the 1840s, include letters, maps,
financial materials, photographs, scrapbooks and albums, sacramental
records, and artifacts. We
are responsible for collecting and preserving the materials, as well as
making them available for researchers.
The Archives is also in charge of microfilming for the Archdiocese, and
we are the custodian of microfilmed sacramental records. In addition, the
Archives is available to consult with parishes or organizations regarding
their records.
The Archives
encourages donations of materials, especially personal papers, scrapbooks,
or photos, which document the history of the Catholic Church in east
Texas. The materials will be
preserved and made available to scholars and other interested researchers.
The Archives
is open to researchers by appointment only The
use of some collections requires the prior approval of the Chancellor.
Appointments for research may be scheduled Monday through Friday,
between 9 AM - 12 PM, and 1 PM – 4.30 PM.
Please call or email the Archives to request an appointment.
Genealogy
and the Sacramental Records
The Catholic Church has been active in Texas since the 1500s, we have no
sacramental records before 1840. While
the Diocese of Galveston once included all of Texas, our records cover
only the present diocese, as well as the Dioceses of Beaumont, Tyler, and
Victoria. These records are
open to researchers up to 1930.
After 1930, the records are closed except to the person(s) named in the record.
We are happy to research genealogical requests, but researchers are
also welcome to use the records themselves.
We do not provide sacramental certificates to genealogists, but we
will provide copies of the records (if possible) and transcripts.
There is no charge for the research.
Current sacramental records are maintained in the parishes. An individual who needs his/her own sacramental records
should first contact the parish for the necessary certificates.
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