Step-by-Step Nebraska Research, 1880-Present

Nebraska Step-by-step research 1880--present

Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History


 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.

 * A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
 * For each person living in a household (depending on the year), their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.
 * Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
 * Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.

Using clues to lead to census record searches.
Fred and Anna Dircksen
 * These two census records list Fred and Anna Dircksen and eight of their children.

Parents of Fred Dircksen In census records Fred Dircksen is born in about 1907 in Kansas, with parents born in Germany. Those clues will help us find him living with his parents. We find Fred living in the home of his parents, Siebold and Anna Dircksen. In 1900, we have to move to the Kansas census to find the family. We also identify 11 of his siblings.





Nebraska State Censuses
- For more information, see Nebraska Census and United States Census
 * 1860-1885 Nebraska State ($)

Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
 * In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations.
 * A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
 * A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents. '''Example of birth record index entry. Certificate number can be used to order full original record.'''

Using census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
Finding marriage records can:  Example of indexed marriage record.
 * establish the full identity of the wife, with her maiden name and possible birth details.
 * find the names of the parents of the bride and groom.

Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death: '''Example of a death record index entry. File number can be used to order original record.'''
 * birth date and place of the deceased
 * maiden name of the wife
 * names of the deceased's parents
 * birth places of the deceased's parents.

Some of the examples shown above are index entries. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. In some cases, the image of the original is found online. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate in other cases.

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How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online databases
 * writing to a county courthouse (prior to the beginning of state civil registration)
 * purchasing them through the mail

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Nebraska Counties.

Order Certificates from Nebraska Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for Nebraska Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Nebraska, see How to Find Nebraska Birth Records, How to Find Nebraska Marriage Records, and How to Find Nebraska Death Records.

Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.

Obituary Collections

 * Nebraska Obituaries
 * Online Nebraska Death Records &amp; Indexes
 * Nebraska Obituaries
 * — index and images

Cemetery Record Collections

 * Find-A-Grave
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current at Ancestry
 * Billion Graves
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * BillionGraves Index at Findmypast ($)
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * Graveyards of Omaha — Eastern Nebraska cemeteries
 * Nebraska Cemetery Records at AccessGenealogy
 * Nebraska Cemetery Records at Interment
 * Nebraska Tombstone Photo Project at Nebraska Gravestones
 * Nebraska Tombstone Transcription Project at USGenWeb Transcription Project
 * Online Nebraska Obituary and Cemetery Indexes at DeathIndexes

U.S. Social Security Records

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see Nebraska Obituaries and Nebraska Cemeteries.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card. -



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see Nebraska Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



Indexes

 * 1855-1908 Nebraska, Marriage Records, 1855-1908($), Index and images
 * 1855-1995 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1875-1899 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Dutch Reformed

 * 1639-1989 U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)

Presbyterian

 * 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)

Lutheran

 * 1800-1947 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1781-1969 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969, index and images, incomplete.($)

Germans From Russia

 * Odessa3.org - This site contains German-Russian emigrant ancestry in pocket settlements in mid-west states of North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Contains transcribed minutes of meetings, membership lists (some with parentage listed), birth, deaths, and marriages.

Quaker (Society of Friends)

 * Nebraska Monthly Meeting: Quaker Records($), index

- For help with church records kept in Nebraska, see Nebraska Church Records. To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.
Example of a probate index entry and an original will.
 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.

Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Nebraska
 * Nebraska, Wills and Probate Records, 1806-1989, ($), index and images, incomplete.

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each Nebraska county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Nebraska Counties

For more information, see Nebraska Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.



Nebraska Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records
 * 1500s-1900s All U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s at Ancestry - index only ($); includes those with Destination of Nebraska; Also at MyHeritage; index only ($)
 * 1895-1956 United States, Border Crossings from Canada, 1895-1956 at MyHeritage; index & images ($); includes those with Destination of Nebraska

Cultural Groups

 * 1920-1939 Germany, Bremen Emigration Lists, 1920-1939 at MyHeritage; index only ($); includes those with Destination of Nebraska
 * Germans Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage; index only ($); includes those with Destination of Nebraska
 * Italians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage; index only ($); includes those with Destination of Nebraska
 * Russians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage; index only ($); includes those with Destination of Nebraska

Passport Records Online

 * 1795-1925 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1795-1925 U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 Index and images, at Ancestry ($)

Nebraska Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * Nebraska, Federal Naturalization Records, 1890-1957, index & images ($)

For more information, see Nebraska Emigration and Immigration and Nebraska Naturalization and Citizenship.

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Nebraska; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "Nebraska" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * County and Town Histories:*Internet Archive.Use keywords "Nebraska" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Nebraska and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections

 * Western Nebraska History and Biography, ($), index
 * County and Town Histories, with biographies
 * Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Western Nebraska, index/images
 * Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska, index/images
 * History of Western Nebraska and It's People, Vol. III, index/images
 * "History of the State of Nebraska", 1882, index/images
 * Johnson's History of Nebraska
 * 1890 Nebraska State Gazetteer (town listings of businesses, farmers lists for each county), index/images
 * Semi-Centennial History of Nebraska, index/images
 * "History &amp; Stories of Nebraska", index/images
 * Western Nebraska History and Biography, ($), index
 * Franciscans of Nebraska, Prefaced by "Historical Sketches of Mid-Nebraska", index/images
 * Memorial and Biographical Record, index/images
 * Southeastern Nebraska, A Biographical and Genealogical History of - Vol I, index/images
 * "Nebraskans, 1854-1904", index/images
 * "Nebraskans, 1904-1914", index/images
 * "The Blue Book of Nebraska Women", index/images
 * Nebraskana, 1932 - "Biographical sketches of Nebraska men and women of achievement, index/images
 * Who's Who in Nebraska, 1940, index/images
 * 900 FAMOUS NEBRASKANS
 * Links to biography collection by county and town, NEGenWeb Project Resource Center On-Line Library. Scroll down to "Counties of Nebraska".

Step 10: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.
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 * Historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the area.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.


 * Find the society on the internet, and they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, one of their members can be hired to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.



Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * Nebraska, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * Nebraska, United States Historical Images, Old Version

Nebraska Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Nebraska Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Nebraska Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * Nebraska Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Nebraska.
This article focused more on Nebraska state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Nebraska. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.