Research Resources

Nebraska Czechs is a statewide organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Czech heritage in Nebraska. The website provides information about local chapters, statewide events, Czech cultural activities, and educational programs. Researchers will also find links to Czech libraries and heritage collections, books, genealogy resources, and other materials for exploring Czech family history and culture.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) Map Library provides free access to a wide variety of Nebraska maps for historical and genealogical research. The collection includes historical state maps, county and city maps, railroad route maps, highway maps, traffic maps, legislative maps, and other specialized maps that help researchers study Nebraska's communities, transportation networks, and changing landscape over time.

Nebraska Genealogy Trails is a free collection of county-based genealogy and local history resources maintained by volunteers. The site includes transcribed records, cemetery records, biographies, military records, maps, newspapers, school records, county histories, and other historical materials. It also features specialized resources, including abstracts from the 1880 Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes for some Nebraska counties, a valuable but often overlooked census resource.

The NEGenWeb Project is a free, volunteer-maintained website that provides genealogy and local history resources for Nebraska. The site includes county pages, a Nebraska Resource Center with research guidance, and the Nebraska Online Library featuring transcribed books, maps, and publications. Many state and county pages also offer transcribed records and other volunteer-contributed resources to assist genealogical research.

Nebraska Online Historical Newspapers Summary, created by Kenneth R. Marks of The Ancestor Hunt, is a guide to online historical newspapers for Nebraska. The page organizes newspaper collections by statewide resources, county, city, and repository, with links to both free and subscription websites. It also includes links to the Nebraska Digital Newspaper Project, obituary resources, and other newspaper collections, making it a valuable starting point for locating Nebraska newspapers available online.

The Nebraska State Genealogical Society (NSGS) promotes genealogy and family history research throughout Nebraska. The Society offers educational programs, an annual conference, publications, county resources, research hints, Nebraska genealogy links, and a statewide network of area representatives who connect researchers with local genealogy societies and resources. NSGS also maintains a genealogy library collection at the Beatrice Public Library, featuring extensive Nebraska county resources, local and family histories, and selected materials from neighboring states and migration routes. The website also provides information about Nebraska researchers available for record lookups and local research assistance. Address: P.O. Box 57064, Lincoln, NE 68505-7064.

The Nebraska State Historical Society's Research, Reference & Genealogy Services provide researchers with access to extensive collections documenting Nebraska history and families. Researchers can use books, newspapers, maps, manuscripts, photographs, government records, digital collections, church records, cemetery records, and numerous online research resources. Staff provide reference assistance, and the Research Room is open by appointment on Mondays and regular hours Wednesday through Friday. Address: 1500 R Street, Lincoln, NE 68508. Phone: (402) 471-4751.

NebraskAccess is provided by the Nebraska Library Commission and offers Nebraska residents free access to premium research databases, including genealogy, newspaper and magazine articles, legal, health, business, and science resources. The site also provides access to Nebraska Memories, Nebraska State Agency Publications, and librarian-selected websites covering Nebraska history and genealogy. Access to licensed databases is available through participating Nebraska libraries.

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK): Nebraska provides links to Nebraska genealogy resources, including county research pages, county histories, cemeteries, maps, and other state research resources. The website also provides access to the RAOGK volunteer lookup program, where researchers can search for volunteers by location to request assistance with genealogy research in areas where records are not readily available. Requesters are expected to reimburse volunteers for any expenses incurred.