There are microfilmed indices for the Texas Birth and Death Records. Many libraries have them, including Denton. We are about 60 miles from Sherman, so you might want to come to our library and use them. The first series covers birth from 1903-1940; the second from 1941-1945; after that the indices are annual ones. There also is an index to probate birth records. There will not be any death records in the 1880 area. Have you tried the probate records? Land records often help establish a time of death if the land is sold to close an estate. Diana