R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Nebraska
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

PERIODICALSLook this term up in the glossary.

The major genealogical periodicals and magazines helpful for Nebraska research are:

Nebraska Ancestree. 1978–. Published by the: Nebraska State Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 5608, Lincoln, Nebraska 68505, Telephone: 402-266-8881 (FHL book 978.2 D25n.)

The Nebraska and Midwest Genealogical Record. 1923-44. Published by the Nebraska Genealogical Society, Lincoln, NE. (FHL book 978.2 D25nm; vols. 1-6 on film 014887; vols. 7-10 on film 162017; vols. 11-22 on film 162018.)

Roots and Leaves. 1978–. Published by the Eastern Nebraska Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 541, Fremont, NE 68026-0541. (FHL book 978.2 D25r; vols. 1-10 on fiche 6048616-25.)

The Wagoner. 1978–. Published by the Northwest Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 6, Alliance, NE 69301. (FHL book 978.29 D25n.)


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PROBATE RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

In most counties in Nebraska, probate records have been kept by the county judge. They include willsLook this term up in the glossary., fee books, claim registersLook this term up in the glossary., legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and docketsLook this term up in the glossary.. They are available at the county courthouses. The Family History Library has microfilms of many county probate records.


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VITAL RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.


Local Records of BirthsLook this term up in the glossary. and DeathsLook this term up in the glossary.

The earliest civil vital records were kept by a few city health departments. Omaha has death records dating from 1870 and birth records from 1873. Lincoln has birth and death files from 1889.

A few Nebraska counties also began recording births and deaths before statewide registration. Contact the county clerk to obtain copies of the records. Copies of the incomplete county records before 1905 (except Douglas County) are also available at the Bureau of Vital Statistics (see below). For Douglas County records write to:

Douglas County Health Department
1819 Farnam Street Room 401
Omaha, NE 68183-0401
Telephone: 402-444-7213
Fax: 402-444-6267

State RecordsLook this term up in the glossary. of Births and Deaths

Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1905 and was generally complied with by 1920. Delayed registrations are also available from 1917 for births that occurred before that time. To obtain copies of the records, write to:

Nebraska Health and Human Services System
Bureau of Vital Statistics
301 Centennial Mall South - 3rd Floor
Lincoln, NE 68509-5065
Telephone: 402-471-2871
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 95065
Lincoln, NE 68509-5065
State your relationship to the individual and the reason you want the information. Requests for records of persons born or married within the last 50 years are only available to a member of the immediate family.

The current fees for this service are listed in Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces (Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993; FHL book 973 V24wv). Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and at many Family History Centers. You can also contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics for current information.

The Family History Library has not acquired copies of Nebraska birth or death records from state, county, or city offices. Some vital records have been transcribed and published in genealogical periodicals.


Marriage RecordsLook this term up in the glossary.

Marriages have been recorded by individual counties since the date each county was organized. Marriage documents since 1867 often list the names of parents of the bride and groom. Copies can be obtained by writing to the office of the probate judge in the county. Some of the earliest marriage records are now in the custody of the Nebraska State Historical Society. The Family History Library has microfilms of marriage records for many counties.

Statewide registration of marriages began in 1909. Since that time, each county clerk has been required to submit a copy of all marriage records to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. You can write to the Bureau (address above) for information. The Bureau of Vital Statistics will release records of marriages within the last 50 years only to a member of the immediate family.


Divorce RecordsLook this term up in the glossary.

Divorce proceedings since the 1850s have been kept by the clerk of the district court for each county. Divorce records since 1909 are also at the Bureau of Vital Statistics.


Inventory of Vital Records

A description of the history and availability of existing records is in The Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records In Nebraska (Lincoln: Historical Records Survey, 1941; FHL book 978.2 V23h, film 874077 item 3; fiche 6046710).


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FOR FURTHER READING

The following will give you more information about research and records of Nebraska:

Nebraska, A Guide to Genealogical Research. Lincoln: Nebraska State Genealogical Society, 1984. (FHL book 978.2 D27n.)

Nimmo, Sylvia, and Mary Cutler. Nebraska Local History and Genealogy Reference Guide: A Bibliography of County Research Materials. Papillion, Neb.: Sylvia Nimmo, 1987. (FHL book 978.2 D23n.)

A Research Guide to Genealogical Data in Nebraska. Alliance, Neb.: Nebraska State Genealogical Society, c. 1980–. This is a series of 93 detailed county guides for every county. They are particularly useful for locating church records. The Family History Library has copies for some counties, for example: FHL 978.2 D27ns (Red Willow, Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock, Dundy and Chase counties).

Eichholz, Alice, ed. Ancestrys' Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources. Rev. ed. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1992. (FHL book 973 D27rb 1992; computer number 594021.) Contains bibliographies and background information on history and ethnic groups. Also contains maps and tables showing when each county was created.


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COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this outline. Please send your suggestions to:

Publications Coordination
Family History Library
35 N. West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-3400
USA
We appreciate the archivists, librarians, and others who have reviewed this outline and shared helpful information.

Paper publication: Second Edition July 1997. English approval: 7/97.

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