How to Research a Texas Ranger Ancestor & Other Research

***** Please read below *****
before e-mailing us.

Each the Research Center receives more than 3,500 inquiries related to the Texas Ranger service of individuals or in-depth research. The following information answers most of the questions we receive about how to research ancestors who may have served in the Texas Rangers. The procedures below have been established to schedule on-site research or to arrange for research services by mail.

Can you check the list and tell me if my ancestor was a Ranger? 
  
We regret that there is no master list of all Texas Rangers. Finding evidence of service requires examination of state records, archives, photographs, books and magazine articles. This can be done (1) by an on site visit in Waco or (2) a mail-in request and payment of a service fee.

Scheduling an On-Site Visit

Please contact us to make an appointment to use the Research Center in Waco.

To Make an Apppointment Please call Amanda Crowley or Christina Stopka at 254-750-8631 between 9 am and 3 pm M-F CST. Or e-mail us by Clicking Here or use the address amandac@ci.waco.tx.us

Fees: Standard charges apply for photocopies and photo duplication. We ask that researchers pay museum admission as the TRHFM does not receive State or Federal funds.

Please inquire about fees for commercial use or Staff assistance for unusually time-consuming research.

The Center is closed Saturdays and Sundays. Please call if weekends are the only time you can visit.

Research Service by Mail

Please read below, then
Click Here to Download a Research Request Form in MS-Word

The Texas Ranger Research Center offers a low-cost genealogy research service for those unable to come to Waco.

Fee: There is a $25 per name non-refundable fee to defray expenses.

The nonprofit Center receives no State or Federal funding. Donations in excess of the fee are gratefully accepted.

A search of available sources may require several hours -- we conduct in-depth research in company rosters, enlistment warrants, photos, published sources, indexes, etc.

We realize the personal significance of Texas Ranger service to many families, so we diligently use every available resource.

Please allow 8-12 weeks depending upon backlog of requests.

In-Depth Resarch for Books, Movies, Television, Magazine Articles, Theses,etc.

We encourage authors, producers and others needing in-depth research for special projects to schedule time with Research Center Staff and make an on-site visit. The staff will be glad to discuss the extent of our holdings that might be of use in advance of a visit.

Due to limited staffing, we cannot answer inquiries requiring extensive research by phone or email.

If this is not possible, and time is available, we may be able to make sone materials available by mail. Please send a detailed written description of the information needed to:

Christina Stopka
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame
Research Center
PO Box 2570
Waco, TX
78702-2570.

The staff will determine holdings and provide an estimate for research, duplication and shipping. Please allow 4 to 8 weeks for response.

Further Information

How Many Rangers were there?

The Staff adds a biographical file for every Texas Ranger as they are identified or join the service. We estimate that there have been 8,000 to 10,000 Texas Rangers since 1823. Due to gaps in the records, a negative result may not rule out service as a Texas Ranger. Many service records were lost over the past 180 years due to floods, fires and state administrative decisions not to keep certain records. "New" Rangers are found every year and added to our files.

When will an index of all Texas Rangers be available?

There is currently no State or public funding for such a project. Tax deductible donations in support of such projects are gratefully received. Click here to contact the Staff about supporting the Texas Ranger Research Center. Thank you.

Firearm and Badge Research

The Research Center has general information about badges and firearms used by the Texas Rangers. The museum staff will be glad to examine photos or the documentation associated with these items and share our thoughts.

Please be aware that the Staff is not permitted to authenticate or appraise firearms or badges. Any firearms or badges offered for sale with alleged Texas Ranger connections should be rigorously researched -- and a return guarantee obtained in writing before purchase. Please see our page on fraudulent badges Here.

Contact Information:

Texas Ranger Research Center
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
P.O. Box 2570
Waco, TX 76702-2570

Phone: (254)750-8631
FAX: (254)750-8629
E-Mail: Click Here

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