Category Archives: Comal County

Handbook of Texas Online Articles

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Various articles dealing with Comal County and the history of the area from the Handbook of Texas Online.

Bibliography for the Hill Country and German-Texan Heritage

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Bethune, Pearl Elley. Forward to the Past!. (Austin, Texas: Bethune Publications, 1990.) ISBN:0-9620124-1-6 282 pages
This book includes the journal From Bremen to Texas in the Fall of the Year 1845 by Carl Blumberg. Much of the book is in German and English — with the German on the left page and the English translation on the right.

Biesele, Rudolph Leopold. The History of the German Settlements in Texas 1831-1861. (San Marcos, Texas: German-Texan Heritage Society, 1987.)

Bockstruck, Lloyd DeWitt. Research in Texas!. (Arlington, Virginia: National Genealogical Society, 1992.) ISBN:0-915156-70-9 36 pages

Dearden, Fay & Dearden, Douglas. The German Researcher: How to Get the Most Out of an L.D.S. Family History Center. (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Family Tree Press, 1989.)

Driskill, Frank A. & Grisham, Noel. Historic Churches of Texas: The Land and the People. (Austin, Texas: Eakin Press, 1980.) ISBN:0-89015-267-5 352 pages

Friederichs, Heinz F., Dr.. How to Find My German Ancestors and Relatives. (Neustadt/Aisch, Germany: Verlag Degener & Co., Inh. Gerhard Gessner, 1985.)

Geue, Chester W. & Geue, Ethel Hander. A New Land Beckoned: German Immigration to Texas 1847-1861. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc., 1982.) ISBN:0-8063-0981-4 178 pages
Many of Comal County’s early settlers are listed with their passenger ship.

Geue, Ethel Hander. New Homes in a New Land: German Immigration to Texas 1844-1847. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc., 1982.) ISBN:0-8063-0980-6 166 pages
Many of Comal County’s early settlers are listed with their passenger ship.

Hatfield, Dot Ferguson. Texas Hill Country Interesting Faces & Fascinating Places. (1994.)

Jordan, Tery G.. German Seed in Texas Soil: Immigrant Farmers in Nineteenth-Century Texas. (Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1966.) ISBN:0-292-72707-0 261 pages

Konrad, J.. German Family Research Made Simple. (Munroe Falls, Ohio: Summit Publications, 1982.)

Lich, Glen E.. The German Texans. (San Antonio, Texas: The University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures, 1996.) ISBN:0-86701-072-X 232 pages

Malsch, Brownson. Indianola: The Mother of Western Texas. (Austin, Texas: State House Press, 1988.) ISBN:0-938349-26-0 351 pages

Kopleck, Horst. Harrap’s German Phrase Book. (New York: Prentice Hall, 1989.) ISBN:0-13-383191-4 128 pages

Seele, Hermann. The Cypress and Other Writings of a German Pioneer in Texas. (Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1979.) ISBN:0-292-79014-7 217 pages

Shefelman, Janice Jordan. A Paradise Called Texas. (Austin, Texas: Eakin Press, 1983.) ISBN:0-89015-375-2

Sweet, Alexander Edwin. Alex Sweet’s Texas: The Lighter Side of the Lone Star History. (Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1986.) ISBN:0-292-70390-2

Tetzlaff, Otto W. The Emigrant to Texas: A Handbook and Guide. (Burnet, Texas: Eakin Press, 1979.) ISBN:0-89015-230-6
This is an English translation of the 1846 guide for Germans interested in going to Texas. Many Germans moved to Texas and Comal County after reading such a guide.

von Schweinitz, Helga. Helga’s Corner: Musings About German Language and Culture. (Austin, Texas: Priority Copy, Inc., 2003.) ISBN:9744459003

Von-Maszewski, W. M.. A Sojourn in Texas, 1846-47: Alwin H. S?rgel’s Texas Writings. (San Marcos, Texas: German-Texan Heritage Society, 1992. ) ISBN:0-944779-05-0 357 pages

Von-Maszewski, W. M.. Handbook and Registry of German-Texan Heritage. (Austin, Texas: Eakin Press, 1989.) ISBN:1-57168-526-X

Wolf, Carl & Wolf, Leonora. German Expressions: A Compilation of German Expressions, Proverbs, Sayings. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, 1992.)

Zelade, Richard. Hill Country. (Austin, Texas: Texas Monthly Press, Inc., 1987.) ISBN:0-87719-082-8 509 pages

 

Bibliography for Comal County

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1900 Census, Comal County, Texas. (New Braunfels, Texas: Sophienburg Museum & Archives, not dated.)

Cemeteries of New Braunfels in Comal County, Texas. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, 1985.)

Index to Probate Minutes of Comal County, Texas: Books H – Q Feb 1885 to Aug 1924. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, 1992.)

Schoolhouses in the Hills. (New Braunfels, Texas.)
History of Bulverde Area Schools by 5th grade SAGE students, Bulverde Elementary School.

Bode, Dana. Index to Naturalization Papers Comal County, Texas: March 1847 Thru January 18, 1927. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, 1989.)

Brueckner, Alfred. Burial Records of Comal Cemetery 1873-1900 Comal County, Texas Sexton’s Records. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, 1987.)

Brueckner, Alfred. Burial Records of Old New Braunfels Cemetery 1873-1917 from Comal County, Texas Sexton’s Records. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, 1987.)

Canion, Ethel & Call, Tom. Burial Records of Old New Braunfels and Comal Cemetery Including Freeman Section 1917-1957. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, not dated.)

Chapple, Marcella. Name Index to Oscar Haas’ History of New Braunfels and Comal County, Texas 1844-1946. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, not dated.)

Fey, Everett Anthony Fey. New Braunfels: The First Founders. (New Braunfels, Texas 1994.) ISBN: 0-89015-987-4, Vol. 1 1052 pages.
Two Volumes: The most thoroughly researched book ever written about the Founding of New Braunfels. Volume I is the history. Volume II is the genealogies.

Fuhrmann, Monica & Moeller, Genevieve & Wille, Emma. The History of Saints Peter and Paul Church and Parish 1844-1974. (New Braunfels, Texas: Saints Peter and Paul Church, 1974.)

Gish, Theodore. The Diary of Hermann Seele and Seele’s Sketches from Texas: Pioneer, Civic and Cultural Leader, German-Texan Writer. (Austin, Texas: German-Texan Heritage Society, 1995.) ISBN:0-944779-06-9 503 pages

Gregory, Rosemarie Leissner & Goff, Myra Lee Adams. A Journey in Faith: The History of First Protestant Church, New Braunfels, Texas, 1844-1995. (New Braunfels, Texas: First Protestant Church, 1994.)

Haas, Oscar. History of New Braunfels and Comal County, Texas, 1844-1946. (Austin, Texas: Hart Graphics, Inc., 1968. )
This is the definitive history of the area.

Haas, Oscar. The First Protestant Church, Its History and Its People 1845-1955. (New Braunfels, Texas: The Zeitung, 1955.)

Ingmire, Frances T.. Comal County, Texas Probate Cases. (Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, 2003.)

Lombardo, Rebecca. Historic Comal County. (: Historical Publishing Network, 2006.) ISBN:1-893619-51-6 94 pages

McManus, J.. Comal County, Texas and New Braunfels German Immigration Ships 1845-1846. (Signal Mountain, Tennessee: Mountain Press, not dated.)

Nuhn, Roger. New Braunfels Sesquicentennial Minutes: 365 Daily Reminders of What Occurred in New Braunfels During the Last 150 Years. (New Braunfels, Texas: Sophienburg Museum and Archives, 1995.)

Poerner, Arlene Steubing & White, Susan Poerner. Lest We Forget: Cemeteries of Comal County, Texas and Surrounding Areas Excluding New Braunfels. (New Braunfels, Texas: Comal County Genealogy Society, 1989.)

Rahe, Alton. History of Sattler and Mountain Valley School, Comal County, Texas 1846 ? 1964. (New Braunfels, Texas.)
Brings to life the Community before Canyon Dam was constructed, along with the genealogy of 26 pioneer families.

Robinson-Zwahr, Robert R. Jr.. Die Bremerverwandtschaft in Deutschland Und in Texas (The Bremers and Their Kin in Germany and in Texas). (Wichita Falls, Texas: Nortex Press, 1977.) ISBN:0-89015-131-8 1630 pages
This book contains many genealogies of early families in Comal and Guadalupe County.

Roemer, Ferdinand Dr.. Texas: With Particular Reference to German Immigration and the Physical Appearance of the Country. (Austin, Texas: German-Texan Heritage Society, 1995.) ISBN:1-57168-043-2

Schmidt, Curt E.. Neu-Braunfelser Jahrbuch 1981. (New Braunfels, Texas: Folkways Publishing Co., 1981.)

Schuchard, Rev. August. Familienbuch Der Deutsch-Protestantischen Gemeinde zu Neubraunfels (Family Book of the Members of the First Protestant Church of New Braunfels). (New Braunfels, Texas: First Protestant Church, 1869. )
Original manuscript of early church family group sheets recorded by the pastor of First Protestant Church.

Sophienburg Museum, New Braunfels, Texas. Guten Appetit!. (Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing Co., 1978.) ISBN:LOC 78-73068 280 pages
Recipes from New Braunfels and Comal County. Many handed down through the generations.

 

Primary Sources for Genealogical Information in Comal County

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County Clerk’s Office, Courthouse Annex, 150 N. Seguin, Suite 101, New Braunfels, TX 78130

  • 1845 to present: land records (name of buyer & seller), deeds of trust, Power of Attorney, proof of heirship, foreclosures (Sheriff’s sale), right-of-way (road, utilities, etc.), maps and plats of towns and property in Comal County.
  • Index to naturalization records and other records if done in probate or commissioners court.
  • 1846 to present: marriage records. 1903-present: birth and death records.
  • Records on Marks and Brands, 1845-present.
  • Estray Animals, 1847-present; Military Discharge, 1919-present; surveyor’s records 1836-present; probate records 1846-present

District Clerk’s Office, Courthouse Annex, 150 N. Seguin, Suite 304, New Braunfels, TX 78130

  • Naturalization records, unspecified dates.
  • Civil & Criminal Court records, 1846-present.

First Protestant Church, 172 W. Coll, New Braunfels, TX 78130

  • Church records from 1845 to present (translated from German). Records include baptism, marriage, confirmation, death, and communion.
  • Neighborville & Hortontown church records, 1850-1905 (not translated).
  • Family trees of church members (1856).
  • Some family research.
  • Reverend Ervendburg’s records (some translated) 1836-1845.

Catholic Chancery Archives, 2718 W. Woodlawn, San Antonio, TX 78228

  • Baptisms: 1849-present; marriages, deaths: 1852-present.

Sophienburg Archives, 401 West Coll Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130

  • German Language local newspapers from 1852-1957 (Neu Braunfelser Zeitung). Partially indexed.
  • English Language newspaper from 1905-present (New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung).
  • Oral history by many “old-timers”, 2,000+ at this writing. About 30% transcribed and indexed.
  • Photographs-Seidel / Braunfels Studio collection 1928-1980. Others from Herald Zeitung, and private collections totaling nearly 1 million.
  • Family Bibles and books.
  • Solms-Braunfels Archives Collection (German). Indexed.
  • All Comal County Genealogy Society holdings.