In celebration of Juneteenth and the legacy of African American families in Harris County, the Harris County Clerk's Office (HCCO) announced on June 18 the preservation of more than 400 historic marriage licenses dating back to 1865. These records include licenses issued to Free Men of Color (FMC) and Free Women of Color (FWC), marking a vital chapter in post-emancipation history. As part of a broad effort to digitize over 1.9 million marriage licenses, a dedicated section of records documenting African American couples was discovered. After months of detailed review and indexing, these rare and significant records are now available on our website. "These records are a powerful reminder of the resilience and hope African Americans carried forward immediately following emancipation," said Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth. "We are proud to make this important history accessible to the public, especially in honor of Juneteenth."

Key Features of the Historic Records:

· Dates: Records primarily issued from 1865 to 1868.

· Designations: Entries are labeled FMC or FWC. · Access: Records can be viewed online through HCCO's digital archive portal. Users can enter any number up to 407.

· Index Preview: Users may notice multiple index entries for a single name or couple due to how early records were recorded and cataloged.


Note: A small number of images—such as file number 358—may be unavailable due to preservation gaps from that time.

This initiative is part of HCCO's ongoing commitment to historic preservation and public access. In conjunction with Juneteenth observances, the availability of these records offers families, historians, and the public an opportunity to explore and reflect on the early lives of African Americans in Harris County 160 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the press release. For more information about these historical records or other services, please visit www.cclerk.hctx.net or contact the Personal Records Department at 713-274-8686.