​Kevin Klaus developed a love of history from an early age listening to stories told by his Great Grandparents and Grandparents who grew up in East Texas. Over the past 30 years he has collected and researched his own family, using government records, letters, photographs, family Bible information, and stories.
Beginning in 1990, he served eight years in the United States Army.  In 1998 he was honorably discharged in New Mexico, and returned home to Central Texas where he had grown up.
Kevin has a background in Anthropology, Archaeology, and Public History from the University of New Mexico. 
Over the last 21 years he has served as one of the lead researchers in the Texas General Land Office Archives and Records Program Area.  During his time at the Land Office, he has searched the early Court of Claims files, German Collection and archival collection to learn more about the history of Texas and discover the amazing collection of personal letters of early soldiers and pioneers who helped settle our great state.​
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Presenter's Handouts
Kevin Klaus
WHAGS' May Meeting is our Annual General Meeting where newly-elected officers will be installed, next year's budget voted on, and any business at-hand will be conducted. Plus a chance to celebrate the conclusion of another successful year. We'll keep the business as brief as possible.
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Saturday, May 18, 2024
Steve Radack Community Center
18650 Clay Road
Meet & Greet 10:00 am
Meeting Begins 10:30 am
Business meeting to follow the Presentation
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Kevin Klaus
Genealogy Resources at the Texas General Land Office Archives
​​Did you know that the Texas General Land Office Archives has more than 35.5 million documents and over 45,000 maps and sketches, dating back to 1561?  All dealing with the disposition of the public domain.  The Texas General Land Office contains a wealth of genealogical resources for anyone researching ancestors that received an original Texas land grant.   This talk is a general overview of the Spanish collection, and grants given under the Republic of Texas with an emphasis on Bounty and Donation grants, the Court of Claims files, and Confederate Scrip Voucher files. ​
If you plan to attend the meeting virtually, please click on the link above to register.
Program will be in-person, and via Zoom, unless otherwise stated.