This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACI/1562.1.2.2 Message Board Post: Many Texas counties have vital records in the original handwritten format that date back to the 1860's and 1870's. Also, in many cases, you can find an old probate record that will mention the death even if you cannot locate the death record. In one county recently, I was going through the deed index that dated back to the 1870's when I came across a reference to an affidavit of heirship. When I went to the original document, it mentioned the deceased and his date of death (even though it took place almost 20 years before). His heirs were trying to sell his land and needed the proof of heirship. So, even if there is not an official record of death, county records often hold other clues to the information you need.