Celebrate International Genealogy Day with a hands-on workshop designed to help you dig deeper into your family history. This all-day event will focus on finding and using records connected to law enforcement, including sheriffs, police, and the Texas Rangers. You’ll learn where to look for service files, association records, personnel files, newspaper stories, and other resources that can shed light on your ancestors’ lives. Whether you’re just curious or already suspect a lawman (or outlaw!) in the family tree, you’ll walk away with practical tips, new tools, and plenty of ideas for your own research. Registration Required.

8:30 am Doors Open for Sign-In & Registration

9:00 am – 10:00 am Tracing Police Officers in the Historical Record

Sean Sutcliffe, Local History Librarian

Discover the many records left behind by police officers, from personnel files and oral histories to newspapers and memorabilia. This session highlights both official documents and community sources that can bring a lawman’s story to life.

10:10 am – 11:10 am Understanding the Role and Records of Sheriffs

Dr. Ronnie Erwin, Author and Historian

Learn what a sheriff is, how the role developed, and what kinds of records sheriffs created. This session introduces key public and government sources, access considerations, and historical context essential for sheriff research.

11:20 am – 12:20 pm Getting Started with Texas Ranger Research

Jacqui Sweeney, Librarian Texas Ranger Research Center & Eric Richards, Collection Manager TRHFM

Separate myth from history with an overview of Texas Ranger timelines, types of rangers, and common misconceptions. Learn how to evaluate family stories, identify research clues, and use memorabilia to take the first steps in documenting Ranger service.

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch on Your Own

1:40 pm – 2:40 pm Key Resources for Texas Ranger Research

Eric Richards, Collection Manager TRHFM & Bill Buckner, Library & Research Services Manager

Expand on the morning's session by following the research process for two case studies. Learn how the Texas Ranger Research Center can help you search for your ancestor. Also, other research institutions that hold Texas Ranger records. Learn what records to look for and questions you should be asking.

2:50 pm – 3:50 pm Following Leads and Finding Sherriff Stories

Dr. Ronnie Erwin, Author and Historian

Explore advanced sheriff research through newspapers, archives, private collections, and records from defunct counties. Learn how cemetery records, newspapers, and other sources can help tell the stories of sheriffs in your family history.

This event is co-sponsored by the Central Texas Genealogical Society.