Franklin County Genealogy Records
Franklin County genealogy records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Mount Vernon, Texas, and cover births, deaths, marriages, land deeds, and probate filings going back to the county's founding in 1875. The county was carved from Titus County and sits in Northeast Texas near Lake Cypress Springs. If you are searching for a family that settled in this part of the state, the records in Mount Vernon are your primary source. This page explains where to look, what is available, and how to get copies of documents that can help piece together your family tree.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Clerk Office
The Franklin County Clerk is the main keeper of genealogy records in the county. The office maintains vital records, land records, and probate files. Access is in person at the Franklin County Courthouse in Mount Vernon. Most genealogical researchers begin their search here when tracing families who lived in this area of Northeast Texas.
Franklin County was formed in 1875 from Titus County. The county seat has always been Mount Vernon. Early land records date from shortly after the county was organized, and marriage records begin in the same period. Some older court records may show gaps due to record damage over the years, but most core genealogy records are intact. The clerk holds marriage licenses, deed records, probate filings, and certified copies of birth and death records filed since 1903.
The Franklin County Clerk office is located at the courthouse in Mount Vernon. Contact them directly to confirm hours and request procedures before visiting. Records requests by mail are typically accepted with a written request, a copy of your ID, and the applicable fee. Online access is limited for this county, so in-person or mail requests are the main options.
Vital Records in Franklin County
Texas did not require statewide registration of births and deaths until 1903. Before that year, vital events were sometimes recorded in church registers, family bibles, or county records, but coverage was incomplete. For Franklin County, most reliable vital records begin in 1903. Marriage records, however, go back further since the county began recording licenses when it was organized in 1875.
The Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics Unit holds statewide birth and death records from 1903 forward. You can order certified copies through their office or through the county clerk for local events. Keep in mind that Texas birth records are sealed for 75 years and death records are sealed for 25 years from the date of filing. Records that have passed those periods are public and can be accessed through the state archives or the county clerk.
Marriage records are held by the county clerk where the license was issued. For Franklin County families, that means the Mount Vernon courthouse. Marriage returns often include the names and ages of both parties, the names of witnesses, and sometimes the names of parents. This information can be critical when you are trying to confirm a family connection or push your research back another generation.
Note: Death records filed after 1903 often include the deceased's birthplace, parents' names, and place of burial, making them valuable for genealogy research beyond just confirming a death date.
Land and Probate Records
Land records are among the richest sources for genealogy in Texas. They predate formal vital records by decades and can document family presence in a county long before any other official record. Franklin County deed books go back to the county's founding in 1875, and they record the transfer of property between buyers and sellers. A deed often names the grantor, the grantee, and the property description, and over time you can trace how land moved through a family or how a family migrated into and out of the area.
Probate records filed with the Franklin County Clerk include wills, estate inventories, guardian appointments, and court orders related to settling estates. A probate file can be the single richest genealogy source for a given ancestor. Wills often list all children by name, sometimes with their married names and residences. An inventory may describe household goods in enough detail to bring family life into focus. If your ancestor died in Franklin County, checking for a probate file should be one of your first steps.
The Texas General Land Office archives contain land grant records that may document earlier Texas family history. The GLO holds original Republic of Texas land grants, Spanish and Mexican grants, and other early land documents. Searching their online database can turn up ancestors who received land grants in this part of Texas before Franklin County was even formed.
State and Online Genealogy Resources
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) in Austin holds microfilmed county records, vital statistics indexes, and other documents from across the state, including Franklin County. Their collections include county tax rolls, which list heads of households and can fill in gaps when other records are missing. TSLAC also provides free access to Ancestry.com for Texas residents.
The Texas Digital Archive offers free access to digitized records from TSLAC collections without requiring a subscription. For Franklin County researchers, this can be a good starting point before traveling to Austin or making a formal records request.
The TXGenWeb Project maintains volunteer-run county pages for all 254 Texas counties. The Franklin County page includes contributed indexes, cemetery transcriptions, surname queries, and research tips from volunteers with local knowledge. It is one of the better free resources for Northeast Texas genealogy.
The Portal to Texas History hosts digitized newspapers, photographs, and other materials from Texas institutions. Searching for Franklin County in their collections can turn up obituaries, legal notices, and historical records that complement official county documents.
Cemetery and Church Records
Churches in Franklin County were recording baptisms, marriages, and burials well before the state required official vital records. Baptist, Methodist, and other Protestant congregations throughout the Mount Vernon area kept registers that survive in some cases at local churches and archives. Contacting individual congregations or the local historical society may turn up records not available through official channels.
Cemetery records are another key source for Franklin County genealogy. Many local cemeteries have been transcribed by volunteers and genealogical societies. Online databases like Find A Grave and BillionGraves include Franklin County burials, and searching those sites is free. The Texas Historical Commission also maintains a Historic Sites Atlas that identifies historic cemeteries and markers across the state, including Franklin County.
The National Archives at Fort Worth holds federal census records, military pension files, and other federal documents relevant to Franklin County families. U.S. Census records from 1880 onward include Franklin County, and the census schedules often list everyone in a household with ages and birthplaces, giving researchers a snapshot of the family at a specific point in time.
Franklin County Historical Research
The Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) offers statewide research guides, publications, and seminars. Their resources are useful for researchers tracing families across multiple Northeast Texas counties. The society's journal, Stirpes, regularly features county-level research articles.
Local libraries in Franklin County may hold historical collections including city directories, newspaper archives, and donated family papers. The Mount Vernon public library is a good first stop for local history materials that can complement official records. Staff can often direct you to resources not available online.
Note: The Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas includes historical articles on Franklin County and surrounding communities that can help you understand the context in which your ancestors lived.