I just copies this from the Texas Dept. of Health page. They're the ones who keep the vital records. Due to the possibility of the indexes being used to fraudulently obtain another's identity or to reveal the identities of those involved in an adoption, the birth and death indexes have been permanently removed. All questions should be directed to Debra F. Owens, Chief and State Registrar.

Yes, I loved those very much. I got it from the horses mouth. It is because of the Privacy Act, TX & CA care about keeping our records safe. I know, I know, that was the neatest place to go, but if it were easy as that, we would have a lot more people digging in genealogy and messing up the trail and dirtying the water so to speak for us hard core researchers. We are true hunters of the lost ancestors, and we know what hard work it is.