The historical collection

Archiv The Granger Brethren Archive

Seven decades of Czech-language records, translated and free to use for genealogists, historians, and descendant families.

Granger Brethren Church holds the paper, ledger, and bound-book records of a Czech Protestant congregation from 1902 to 1969, with most material from 1910 through the 1940s. Original records were kept in Czech. Translation work was done by Kelly Zrubek. The scans presented here pair the original text with an English rendering wherever possible.

Open access. Free for personal and scholarly use.

Browse the archive

Šest sbírek Six collections

Pick a section to see the records.

Matriky

Vital Records

9 documents · 1905–1930

Baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and funerals. Rev. Barton's ledgers in the original Czech and in English transcription, plus the family record index.

9 records →
Vojáci

Military Records

4 documents · 1918–1945

Granger Brethren members who served. A 1918 roster, the 1943 servicemen's newsletter, a 1945 roster, and the Roll of Honor.

4 records →
Hřbitov

Cemetery

est. 1916 · first burial 1917

The Granger Brethren cemetery and the relocated Machu cemetery (established 1883). Maps, plot information, ministers' graves.

Explore →
České dokumenty

Czech Documents

4 documents · founding era to 1937

Stanovy Sboru Páně (the founding articles), the 1932 Památník, and the 1937 reconstruction proclamation.

4 records →
Sbor

Church Records

8 documents · 1903–2015

The 1903 elders photograph, the ministers roll, Mrs. Elsie Barton's history, a 1946 letter about calling a new pastor, and the 1992 centennial program.

8 records →
Zdroje

External Resources

Genealogy & preservation links

The Czechoslovak Genealogical Society, the Williamson County Historical Commission, the Texas State Historical Association, and preservation guides for keeping family papers.

Open resources →
Featured artifacts

Z naší sbírky A few things from the collection

Three pieces from the collection.

Close-up of the wood plank signed by Rev. Barton and the 1937 building committee, sealed inside the bell tower.
The 1937 signed plank, in the bell tower
Original 1901 photograph of the newly-dedicated church with congregation gathered out front.
The original 1901 building, just dedicated
A framed commemorative plaque featuring portraits of pioneer and present ministers, 1936.
Pioneer & Present Ministers plaque, 1936
With gratitude

Poděkování Thanks

Translations, transcriptions, and digitization were done by Kelly Zrubek on the church's behalf, with help from the broader Unity of the Brethren and descendant families who shared photographs, letters, and stories.

If you find an error, a missing name, or a record you'd like to contribute, please write to grangerbrethren@gmail.com.

Citation format

Granger Brethren Church (Granger, Texas). Congregation records, 1902–1969. Digital images. Granger Brethren Church. grangerbrethren.org

The families in these záznamy
built this church.

The names in these records belonged to real families, and many of their descendants still live around Granger.