The Physical Archives (In-Person Research)

Map Data Sources & Credits

Wood County District Clerk

The District Clerk is the custodian of records for the 402nd Judicial District. While the County Clerk handles vital records and land, this office is the essential stop for Divorce Records and Civil Litigation.

• The 1860 Collection: Remarkably, this office maintains a collection of Civil Case Papers dating back to 1860. Since many records were lost in the 1878 fire, these files are among the oldest surviving documents in the county.

• Location: 102 E Goode St, Quitman, TX 75783

• Phone: 903-763-2361

• Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Open through lunch)

  Search the Wood County Judicial Portal

Quitman Public Library & WCGS Genealogy Archives

The library is houses the Wood County Genealogical Society's extensive collection of family files, local histories, obituaries, published and unplublished surname books and research collections and on microfilm county newspaper files.

• Special Collections: On-site access to HeritageQuest. the library is also a designated FamilySearch Affiliate Library, allowing access to restricted digital records.

• Location: 202 E Goode St, Quitman, TX 75783

• Phone: 903-763-4191

• Hours: Tue–Fri: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Note: Closed Saturday–Monday)

The Digital Vault (Online Research)

Local History

• Portal to Texas History: Wood County

• Best for: Searchable digital copies of Wood County newspapers, local photographs, and historical maps.

Land Records

• Texas General Land Office: Land Grant Search

• Best for: Locating original settlers and their land patents within Wood County.

Vital Records

• Wood County Self-Service Portal

• Best for: Marriage licenses (1879+), land deeds, and probate indexes.

• Tip: Use the "Guest" login to browse indexes for free.

• Judicial Records Portal (Odyssey)

• Best for: Divorce records and civil lawsuits from both County and District courts.

• Tip: You can search by "Party Name" to find all legal actions involving an ancestor.

Court & Legal

Note to Researchers: These online portals are excellent for searching indexes and identifying case numbers from home. However, many historical documents—especially those prior to 1900—are only available in their original paper or microfilm format at the offices listed above.