Research

Bell County Historical Commission - The commission maintains a copy of obituaries published in The Belton Journal from 1913 through 1967.  The collection is indexed by surname.  Follow the links to view the index for surnames beginning with the letters:

        A - C         D - H         I - N         O - R         S - T         U - Z​

Direct requests for copies to the commission.  Their office, in the Historic Courthouse at 101 E. Central Avenue (first floor, room 305) in Belton, is staffed by volunteers Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon.  Visit their office or contact them by telephone at 254-933-5917.  Contact them by email at HistoricalCommission@bellcounty.texas.gov, or through the mail at P.O. Box 712, Belton, TX  76513-0712.

Bell County Genealogical Society obituary search request - To request the society conduct a search of local newspapers (The Belton Journal, Killeen Daily Herald, and Temple Daily Telegram), complete and submit the form via email or US mail.

Register of Births Bell County Book A - Abstract includes names and dates.

Goodeville Cemetery - Abstract of burial sites.

Salado Museum Guide - Prepared by the society, this guide is organized by surname and refers users to associated items/information in a collection of folders and books.  For each surname, the guide provides a brief description of the item (for example letters, certificates, applications (to DAR and similar organizations), newspaper articles, pictures, family histories, family group sheets, ancestor charts, biographical sketches, marriage records, post cards, and books), and the folder/book that includes the items/ information.  NOTE:  Salado Museum, formerly Central Texas Area Museum, has the folders but recently donated some of the books referenced in the guide to the Salado Library.  The items at the museum may be viewed by appointment only.  Check with the library concerning availability of the books donated by the museum.  The society hopes the guide will be useful to you and apologizes for any difficulty created by the separation of the collection.

Bell County Probate Index - Prepared by the society, this is an index to probate records at Bell County Courthouse dating from the 1850s to the 1930s, with several records of earlier/later dates and others without dates; index is sorted by surname.  Probate records referenced in this index are available for review at:

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   Bell County Clerk - Shelley Coston
   Bell County Justice Center
   1201 Huey Road
   Belton, Texas  76513

   Email:  Shelly.Coston@bellcountytexas.gov

   Office Hours:  Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

   Mailing Address:  P. O. Box 480, Belton, Texas,  76513
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Bell County Clerk's Office

• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Record Searches (birth, death, marriage, probate)

City of Temple

• Birth or Death Certificates

Temple Public Library​​ (main page)

Temple Public Library (search) - Search their holdings using keywords such as "genealogy" and "history."  Note the option to limit a search to "new items."

​Microfilm Index for Temple Public Library - Prepared by the society, this is an index (sorted by record type) to microfilm available for viewing at the library as of June 2011.  The library's microfilm collection extends beyond Texas records to states such as Arkansas, Alabama, and South Carolina, and includes for example church, court and deed records, store ledgers, and newspapers.  These are just examples.  Please take a look at the index for records and locations of interest to you.  The index details the type of records and location and dates covered.  Follow the link at the top of the index for library hours and contact information.

Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum (Temple Collection)

Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center (Collection includes Bell County obituaries)​

The Portal to Texas History - A gateway to rare, historical, and primary source materials from or about Texas.  Created and maintained by the University of North Texas Libraries, the Portal leverages the power of hundreds of content partners across the state to provide a vibrant, growing collection of resources.

The Ancestor Hunt - Texas Online Historical Newspapers Summary ​- This site provides links to free online archives of newspapers published in many towns and cities across Texas.

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​​Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center - Located in La Grange, Texas, the TCHCC preserves and promotes the history, language, culture, and heritage of Czech Texans who trace their ancestry to present-day Czech Republic or the former Austro-Hungarian Empire (including Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Slovakia).​

FamilySearch.org -  FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services each year to learn more about their family history. FamilySearch provides: 

• Free - a service to all at no cost
• More than 4 billion names from all over the world
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• FamilyTree -  Family Tree is a social network that connects people with their ancestors. This free, community-based family history tool provides a single place for people to store information about their ancestors and collaborate with others working on the same family lines.
• Search -  Search allows you to examine historical records for details about your ancestors. These resources include official church (for example: birth, marriage, death) and governmental (for example: census) records that can help fill in gaps in your family story.  All the names, dates, photos, stories, and sources saved in Family Tree will be preserved, making them available for generations to come.
• The organization constantly updates the records they make available for searching.  New at FamilySearch.org in August 2018:   Search Ellis Island Records for Free - A trio of new collections representing the complete archive of Ellis Island passenger records is now available on the free genealogy website FamilySearch.org.  Ship passenger lists can teach you more than you might think about your traveling ancestors.  Earlier records may include a full name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, intended destination (country), name of ship and date of arrival.  Later records may also name traveling companions and relatives “back home” or in the United States. You may also learn a relative’s marital status, physical description, last permanent residence, or birthplace.  Any of these details can help you build your family tree and connect with your immigrant ancestors.  Search these to discover your immigrant ancestors during 3 distinct time periods: 
  • New York Passenger Lists (Castle Garden) 1820–1891 
  • New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island) 1892–1924 
  • New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists 1925–1957