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Start Your Research

The Austin History Center (AHC) provides information on Austin and Travis County to the public. We collect and preserve materials about Austin's history.

Showing Up In-person to Begin Your Search

  • Plan your in-person visit 
    Our on-site staff will help you find all the things you're looking for.
  • Research can take a lot of time; please plan accordingly.

If you have a simple question, such as whether we have information on a certain subject, you can contact us before you come in. Staff can help you confirm what materials are available and suggest next steps.

Research From Home

While online resources can be quite useful, they can't replace in-person research.

In-Depth Research Help

In-Depth Research Help

Research can take a lot of time, depending on what you are trying to find. We have a 15-minute time limit for copy services and research help. Austin History Center staff will suggest resources, provide access to materials, and show you how to use them. You will be responsible for doing the research and making copies. You may hire an independent researcher (proxy) to work on your behalf.

When to Consider an Independent Researcher

If your project requires help beyond what staff can provide, you may choose to hire an independent researcher.

  • Large or complex research projects
  • Long-term or in-depth investigations
  • Projects with tight deadlines
  • Research that requires repeated visits

How to Find an Independent Researcher

View the Archivists of Central Texas Proxy Researcher List

Independent researchers are not affiliated with the Austin History Center. Fees, timelines, and scope of work are arranged directly with the researcher.

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Genealogy

Genealogy

The Austin History Center can help you explore your family’s connections to Austin and Travis County through city directories, newspapers, photographs, maps, yearbooks, and archival collections. Begin with the names, dates, and addresses you already know, and come by in person. Austin History Center staff can suggest resources, provide access to materials, and show you how to use them. However, you will be responsible for doing the research.

Resources to Get You Started

See also

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Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituary research can take a lot of time, depending on what you are trying to find. Austin History Center staff can suggest resources, provide access to materials, and show you how to use them. However, you will be responsible for doing the research.

  • We have a complete run of the Austin American-Statesman since 1871 on microfilm. Most years of the newspaper are available in two online databases available to Austin Public Library card holders.
  • Microfilm is organized by date and cannot be searched by a person’s name. To begin an obituary search on microfilm, you will need the person’s date of death.
  • Learn more about finding obituaries. 

See also

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Property Research

Property Research

The Austin History Center offers many resources to help you research a property's history in Austin, Texas. These resources may help you find:

  • When a structure was built
  • Who owned, lived in, or used the property
  • The architect or builder
  • Building materials used in the structure

Property research can take a lot of time, depending on what you are trying to find. Austin History Center staff can suggest resources, provide access to materials, and show you how to use them. However, you will be responsible for doing the research.

Please see the Property Research Guide to get started.

Your search may also involve other City offices or government agencies. The Austin History Center does not have complete records for every type of property information or every date range. Staff can refer you to other offices or agencies when needed.

Before You Begin
It is helpful to have:

  • The property address
  • The legal description of the property, including the subdivision or addition name, lot, and block number
  • The Geographic ID number

Helpful Resources

Online Newspaper Databases

  • Use your Austin Public Library card to search the Austin American-Statesman databases and other online resources.
  • You can also access these resources onsite at any Austin Public Library location or at the Austin History Center, with or without a Library card.
  • Travis Central Appraisal District - Find general information about the Appraisal District and the ad valorem property tax system in Texas, as well as information regarding specific properties within the district.

City Directories
City directories can help you:

  • Look up an address to see who lived there or what businesses operated there over time
  • Look up a person or business name to find an address
  • Find demographic, employment, or other information about occupants

City directory research at the Austin History Center is self-serve when the Reading Room is open.

You can also search online for pre-1927 city directories through the Portal to Texas History. The Texas State Library and Archives and Briscoe Center for American History at UT also have city directory collections.

Sanborn Maps

City of Austin Property Profile
The City of Austin’s Property Profile website can help you view aerial photos of an area over time.

To view aerial photos:

  1. Search for the property address.
  2. Select the map icon in the lower-left corner of the map.
  3. Toggle to the aerial view.

Google Maps also has a historical view feature, but the City’s Property Profile tool includes aerial photos that may go back as far as 1940. The Austin History Center may also have additional aerial photos in hard copy.

See also

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Research Guides

Guides are a good starting point if you are new to research at the Austin History Center and can help you understand what's available in a collection, subject, record type (or collecting unit). The guides provide details about how the records can be found in the collection. Sometimes guides are referred to as subject guides, finding aids, or resource records. See the About Collections page for more information about archival terminology.

Subject and Research Guides to Get You Started on a Research Topic

Communities & Identity

City Government & Public Institutions

People, Places & Events

Inventory Lists 

These are lists of what is available in particular formats or collecting units.