The Brownwood Public Library has made it easier for folks to do genealogy and historical research by opening the first ever "Local History & Genealogy Library" of a public library.  By placing it across the street from the Brown County Courthouse and just two blocks from the Brown County Museum of History, it gives people an "all in one" place to do their research.

The branch library has all the books, microfilm and computers needed to chase down that bit of history on an ancestor you are looking for.  This includes the microfilm of the Brownwood Bulletin, Brownwood Banner (1954-55-56), City Directories from 1909, phone books, cemetery burial lists, marriage records, history books on Brown County and surrounding counties, access to online census though 1930, Sanborn maps on microfilm, Also index of births from 1903 - 1976 in Texas and deaths from 1906 - 1973 in Texas.  Brown County Tax Rolls from 1859 - 1910; District Court Records 1860 - ; Index to Revolutionary War Pensions Applications and Boundy-Land Warrant Files A-s.  The Federal Records of World War II, and Brown County newspaper clippings on World War II.

They have the  Postmasters and Post Officer of Brown County from 1858 -1930; a Black History Section and Hunter's Frontier Times Magazine data base from 1923 - 1954.  There are Texas history books and knowledgeable people onsite to help you in your research.  They have a printer, copy machine, coffee, cold drinks, tables to work on.  It is a great research center for people like you!

It is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday.  The courthouse is open from 8:30 am until 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and the museum is open from 9:00 am until 5 pm, Thursday and Friday and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday. 

Pecan Valley Genealogy Society:  http://www.browncountytexasgenealogy.com/

The museum (325-641-1926) has the Brownwood Bulletin Morgue File, the Tessica Martin Collection, the Lorene Bishop Collection, plus books on the members of the 36th Infantry Division at Camp Bowie, soldiers from Texas during World War II, history books, city directories, phone books and all of the Historical Society books.  They also have the Historical Society books for sale in the museum.  You can see the list of these books by going to: http://www.browncountyhistory.org/books.html

Of course the County Clerk's Office (325-646-5514) located in the courthouse and has the original birth, death and marriage licenses of which you can get copies.   Plus, deed records.  The courthouse burned in 1880 so there are no records prior to that date.

The Brownwood Library Online has all the books and media in the Brownwood Library system listed, including the new Genealogy and History Branch.