Reeves County Genealogy Records
Reeves County genealogy records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Pecos, Texas, and cover birth, death, marriage, probate, land, and court documents going back to the county's founding in 1883. Whether you are tracing a family line that settled in West Texas generations ago or just starting to research your ancestry, this page explains what is available, where to find it, and how to request copies.
Reeves County Overview
Reeves County Clerk Records Office
The Reeves County Clerk is the main office for genealogy records in the county. The clerk holds vital records, land records, and probate files. You can visit in person at the Reeves County Courthouse in Pecos, or check the Reeves County Clerk website for available online searches.
Reeves County was organized in 1883 and has been collecting official records since then. Early records date from the county's founding. The county seat has been Pecos throughout most of the county's history. Most genealogical researchers start at the County Clerk's office when searching for Reeves County family records.
The county clerk holds marriage licenses, birth and death records, deed records, and probate filings. Land records and deeds often go back furthest and can document property ownership through multiple generations of a family. Probate files list heirs, ages, and relationships, making them especially valuable for genealogy.
Vital Records in Reeves County
Birth and death records in Texas were not required by the state until 1903. Before that date, the county clerk kept some records, but coverage was uneven. For Reeves County, early vital records may appear in family bibles, church registers, and cemetery transcriptions rather than official government files. After 1903, birth and death certificates were filed with both the county and the state.
The Texas Department of State Health Services holds the statewide vital records collection. For recent records, you can order certified copies through their office. Older records that have passed their protection period are available through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) in Austin.
Marriage records in Reeves County date back to 1883. The county clerk holds marriage license applications and returns. These records include names, ages, and sometimes the names of parents or witnesses, making them valuable for genealogy. Death records filed after 1903 often list the birthplace and parents of the deceased.
Note: Texas birth records are sealed for 75 years and death records for 25 years from the date of the event.
Land and Probate Records for Genealogy
Land records are some of the best genealogy tools available in Texas. They predate formal vital records by decades, and Reeves County deed books go back to the county's formation. Deeds record the transfer of property and often include the names of grantors, grantees, and witnesses. Over time, you can trace a family's movements, purchases, and sales of land.
Probate records filed with the Reeves County Clerk include wills, estate inventories, guardian appointments, and court orders related to settling estates. These files can be extremely detailed. A will may list the names and residences of all children and grandchildren. An estate inventory may describe property in ways that bring family life to light. If an ancestor died in Reeves County, the probate file may be the richest single source of genealogical data available.
The Portal to Texas History, maintained by the University of North Texas Libraries, has digitized many historical Texas newspapers and some county records. Searching for Reeves County in their collections can turn up obituaries, legal notices, and land sale announcements.
State and Online Resources for Reeves County Ancestry
Several statewide resources support Reeves County genealogy research. The Texas State Library Digital Archive includes historical county records that have been microfilmed and digitized. The TXGenWeb Project maintains a county-level page for Reeves County with contributed indexes, transcriptions, and research tips from volunteers.
The National Archives at Fort Worth holds federal census records, land entry files, military pension records, and other federal documents relevant to Reeves County families. U.S. Census records from 1850 through 1940 are available there and through many online platforms. Reeves County appears in federal censuses from its organization date forward.
The Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) offers research guides, publications, and seminars that cover Texas counties including Reeves County. Their resources are especially useful for researchers tracing families across multiple counties. The local public library in Reeves County also maintains genealogy resources and can help you navigate available records.
FamilySearch maintains free access to many Texas records through their website at familysearch.org. Texas vital records, census data, and other historical documents are searchable there. The Texas Historical Commission maintains a Texas Historic Sites Atlas that includes historic cemeteries, markers, and sites across the state.
Church and Cemetery Records in Reeves County
Churches in Reeves County were recording baptisms, marriages, and burials long before the state required official vital records. Protestant and Catholic congregations throughout the area kept registers that survive in some cases at local churches, archives, and historical societies. These records can fill gaps left by courthouse fires or incomplete official records.
Cemetery records are another key source. Many Reeves County cemeteries have been transcribed by volunteers and local genealogical groups. The Texas State Genealogical Society and affiliated county societies have published cemetery indexes for many Texas counties. Online cemetery databases like Find A Grave and BillionGraves also include Reeves County burials.
The Texas General Land Office at glo.texas.gov maintains historical land grant records that can help you trace early settlers in Reeves County. Original land grants and surveys often include names, dates, and descriptions that supplement other genealogical records.