HILL COUNTRY — Few regions of America are as rich in genealogy as the Lone Star State. And, whether you are seeking just a few family connections or researching some legends of the Old West, the Hill Country proves itself to be a rich starting point.
Just about every pioneer settler who made his or her way to Texas over the years has shared a common Western European heritage. They came primarily from England, France and Spain, some as far back as the colonies themselves, and introduced an independent, adventurous and God-fearing style of living.
A tour through the spectacular scenery of the Hill Country and the unique history of the folks who settled the area will whet the whistle of any genealogist and become a talking point of the trip to yesteryear.
It should begin in Marble Falls, Burnet or Kingsland, where colorful downtown business sections have been meticulously restored and stand side-by-side with public libraries and points of interest that introduce the area to first-time visitors.
The Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main St. in Marble Falls; Burnet’s Herman Brown Free Library on the Courthouse Square in Burnet; or the Kingsland Branch Library, 124 W. Polk St. in Kingsland have their own genealogy departments with detailed information about local history.
Another valuable source is the extensive library at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 200 Via Viejo in Marble Falls. It is open to the general public.
The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution have chapters in Marble Falls and conduct regular meetings in the city.
The genealogy departments of the various libraries can identify long-lost relatives and help trace their migration to Texas from other regions and international parts of the world. Many libraries will enable you to put together a family history of dates, countries and immigration at a single sitting.
But in the Hill Country, your quest will direct you beyond library walls. With Marble Falls as a starting point, you can venture out of the city in any direction, following major highways or adventurous country roads.
Roadside parks along the highways tell of battles between the settlers and American Indians who lived in the area. There also are a number of pioneer cemeteries where generations of families raised their families and were buried on ranchland they once owned.
