Monday, August 31st, 2020 in collection highlights, history of Travis County, Portal to Texas History, research. No Comments
Convict leasing was a system of penal labor in which prisoner labor was leased to private parties. The practice began in Texas and other southern states shortly after the Civil War, when officials realized they had a large population of prisoners to care for and very little money. Leasing the inmates to private individuals appeared to offer […]
Thursday, August 6th, 2020 in collection highlights, history of Travis County, Portal to Texas History, research. No Comments
In Texas, one of the duties of the Commissioners’ Court is the construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges. County roads are public roads that are located outside of city limits but within the county boundaries. City roads are the responsibility of cities, and interstate highways and farm to market (FM) roads are the […]
Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 in collection highlights, explore Travis County, history of Travis County, Portal to Texas History, research. No Comments
In a series of posts, we will be highlighting some of Travis County’s lesser known records and the unique information they contain. Travis County Poor Farm Record: 1890-1900 (1 volume). Ledger includes an inventory of property belonging to the Travis County Poor Farm; list of paupers; list of hands hired; list of county convicts sent […]
Monday, May 18th, 2020 in collection highlights, collections, County Clerk, Portal to Texas History, research. 19 Comments
One of the most frequently asked questions we get asked at the Archives is: “Do you have a copy of my property survey?” The short answer is no, and here’s why. Land surveys are documents that establish the boundaries of a property. Surveys document boundaries when new parcels of land are being developed, and also […]
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 in collection highlights, exhibits. No Comments
In Hall of Government at 700 Lavaca Street is the latest exhibit from the Austin Friends of Folk Art collection at the Travis County Archives. This exhibit features the work of Herón Martínez Mendoza, a celebrated potter from Acatlán de Osorio, Puebla, Mexico. Photo by Chuck Snyder, 1982 On display are numerous pieces by Martínez, both large and small. Following […]
Wednesday, April 20th, 2016 in collection highlights, collections, research. No Comments
Interested in researching your property in Travis County? The Austin History Center has produced a handy guide about the variety of resources available to assist in your research. http://www.austinlibrary.com/ahc/downloads/Property_Information_Sources.pdf Property records in the Travis County Archives include Tax Rolls and County Surveyor Records. Tax records provide the names of property owners and the tax assessed […]
Tuesday, June 30th, 2015 in collection highlights, collections, news. No Comments
The Travis County Archives is pleased to announce a partnership between Travis County and the Austin Friends of Folk Art, to store AFFA’s collection of artifacts, photographs, materials and objects at the Travis County Archives. We look forward to making these items available to the public through exhibits and displays throughout county buildings. Burnished pot from […]
Monday, March 2nd, 2015 in collection highlights. No Comments
From the 1980s until the 2000s, Travis County Media Services, a division of Travis County Records Management and Communication Resources, photographed a variety of subjects, including the work and activities of Travis County elected officials and employees, county parks and natural areas, and local elections. The Travis County Archives recently added photographs, negatives and slides from […]
Friday, January 9th, 2015 in collection highlights, Travis County History Day. No Comments
The Archives recently uncovered 3 partial reports from Travis County Extension agents to the Commissioners Court, dating from the 1950s. These items would have been great additions to Travis County History Day 2014, the theme of which was 100 Years of Extension Services in Travis County. Click the links to view the reports, which include photographs of […]
Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 in collection highlights, collections, research. No Comments
In Austin in late 1884-1885, 8 individuals were murdered by what was known as the “Servant Girl Killer.” The victims included Mollie Smith, Eliza Shelley, Irene Cross, Mary Ramey, Orange Washingon, Gracie Vance, Susan Hancock, and Eula Phillips. From http://www.servantgirlmurders.com/: The Servant Girl Murders were a series of crimes, including eight murders, carried out by an elusive […]
