Daughters of the Republic of Texas
Presented by Debby Frost Holt (member of DRT) to Genealogical Association of Colleyville, June 5, 2024
DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS (DRT)
Who We Are
Founded in 1891, the Daughters of The Republic of Texas is the oldest patriotic women’s organization in Texas and one of the oldest in the nation.
During the summer of 1891, Miss Betty Ballinger and her cousin, Miss Hally Bryan, conceived the idea of perpetuating forever the memory of the Texas pioneer families and soldiers of the Republic of Texas by forming an association of their descendants.
The two cousins then traveled to Houston, where they shared their thoughts with fourteen other ladies at the home of Mrs. Andrew Briscoe on the afternoon of November 6, 1891. At that meeting, they formed the organization that is known today as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Mission
Perpetuate the memory and spirit of those who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas.
Provide educational programs . . . in coordination with Texas schools and the public . . .
Encourage research into early Texas records, preserve historic documents and encourage the publication of historic records.
Secure and memorialize historic sites.
What We Do
Maintain the DRT Headquarters office and Republic of Texas Museum in Austin.
Maintain (several), historic properties overseen by DRT chapters across the state.
Maintain and oversee the DRT Library Collection in San Antonio.
Memorial Medallions
· Memorial Medallions were established by DRT as a way to promote and preserve The Republic of Texas history and to mark graves of DRT and/or CRT members.
ELIGIBILITY:
Any woman having attained her sixteenth (16th) birthday is eligible for membership . . . . and is a lineal descendant of a man or woman who rendered loyal service for Texas prior to the consummation of the Annexation Agreement of the Republic of Texas with the United States of America on the nineteenth day of February, eighteen hundred forty-six (19 February 1846).
1. As a colonist with Austin’s Old Three Hundred, or any colonies authorized under the Spanish or Mexican governments before the Texas Revolution
2. As an officer or private in the service of the Colonies or of the Republic of Texas
3. As a loyal resident, male or female, regardless of age, who established residence in Texas prior to 19 February 1846.
4. As a recipient of a land grant authorized by the Provisional Government of the Republic of Texas
If you suspect that some of your ancestors came to Texas prior to 1846, there are many resources to verify the facts.
The Republic of Texas History Center
(DRT) has owned the property on the corner of San Marcos Street and East 9th Street since May, 2013. then built the Republic of Texas Museum and business offices on this property to create the Republic of Texas History Center including two museums and a state-of-the-art Genealogical Research Center dedicated to tracing lineage to the Republic of Texas timeframe to assist descendants in proving lineage for membership into the DRT and CRT.
Chapters
Two nearest chapters are Euless (Isaac Low - Ann Mckee) and Fort Worth (Frances Cooke Van Zandt).
DRT Library Collections
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library Collections is currently housed at the Bexar County Archives building and is open for the use of all researchers. The collection contains over 20,000 book titles, primarily on the subject of Texas history, but also including genealogy, politics and government, art, natural history and science, religion, folklore, and fiction, all associated with Texas, but also approximately 450 collections of personal and family papers and organizational records dating from 1519 to the present, and maps, photographs, artwork, vertical files, and other media.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Research is by appointment only. Appointments may be scheduled by emailing the Bexar County Librarian - Rhonda.Davila@Bexar.org
Promoting Education
Texas Public School Texas History teacher awards
Students of Texas History in fourth and seventh grade essay awards
Scholarships to college by chapters and headquarters
Other awards for service to organization
Research Links
Index to Military Rolls of The Republic of Texas 1835-1846
San Jacinto Battleground Museum-Library
Texas Beyond History – The Virtual Museum of Texas’ Cultural Heritage
Texas Court History
Texas General Land Office
Texas General Land Office – Land Grant Search
Texas State Library & Archives
The Sons of The Republic of Texas
Links:
Website: Home (drtinfo.org)
DRT Library Collection: DRT Library Collections (drtinfo.org)
Membership: How to Become a Member (drtinfo.org)