Research Resources

ScotlandsPeople is the official Scottish Government website for researching Scotland's people and history. Operated by the National Records of Scotland, it provides searchable indexes and digital images of civil registration records, census records, Old Parish Registers, Catholic parish registers, wills and testaments, valuation rolls, coats of arms, and many other historical records. Researchers can also order certificates, access research guides, and visit the ScotlandsPeople Centre in Edinburgh.

Scottish Indexes is a free genealogy website providing searchable indexes, research guides, maps, and educational resources for Scottish family history. Researchers can search specialized record collections, including poor relief, paternity cases, prison registers, valuation rolls, testaments, and other historical records, while also accessing links to official record repositories and other online Scottish genealogy resources.

The Seward County Genealogical Society promotes genealogy and family history research in Seward County, Nebraska. The Society maintains extensive genealogical collections, including family histories, local history publications, cemetery records, newspaper indexes, and a card file containing more than 200,000 births, marriages, anniversaries, and obituaries abstracted from Seward County newspapers. Researchers may also access the Society's published county resources and receive research assistance. Location: Genealogy House, 233 Jackson Avenue, Seward, NE 68434. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 72, Seward, NE 68434-0072. Email: genealogyseward3@gmail.com.

SlaveVoyages is a collaborative digital resource documenting the transatlantic and intra-American slave trades. Researchers can search databases of more than 36,000 slave voyages, explore records of enslaved Africans, view historical maps and images, and use interactive tools to study the history of the Atlantic slave trade.

The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is a nationwide index of people whose deaths were reported to the Social Security Administration. This guide explains what information the SSDI contains, its coverage and limitations, where to search the index online, and how to obtain a copy of an original Social Security application (SS-5). It also includes links to related Social Security records and additional death index resources.

The Southwest Nebraska Genealogical Society promotes genealogy and family history research in southwest Nebraska. The Society maintains a genealogy library with county histories, cemetery records, newspaper abstracts, family histories, maps, and other research materials, and publishes genealogical resources for the region. The Society's library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, providing researchers with access to additional FamilySearch records. Location: 322 Norris Avenue, Suite 2-7, McCook, NE 69001. Email: sherriedack@yahoo.com.

The State Historical Society of Iowa preserves and provides access to Iowa's historical records and research collections. Genealogists can research state and county records, newspapers, manuscripts, photographs, maps, local histories, and vital records, as well as access research guides and online resources for Iowa family history. The Society operates research centers in Des Moines and Iowa City. Des Moines: 600 E. Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-3007. Iowa City: 402 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240, (319) 335-3916.

Stephen P. Morse's One-Step Webpages provide hundreds of free search tools that simplify access to genealogy databases and historical records. Researchers can search passenger lists, census records, vital records, city directories, maps, and other resources using powerful search options that often exceed those available on the original websites. The tools work with records from FamilySearch, Ellis Island, Castle Garden, the U.S. National Archives, and many other genealogy websites, making it easier to locate difficult-to-find ancestors.

Stuhr Museum is a living history museum dedicated to sharing the history of community building along Nebraska's Platte River Valley. Visitors can explore museum exhibits, an 1890s Railroad Town with living history interpretation, historic buildings, and collections of artifacts that illustrate the lives of Nebraska's early residents. The museum also offers educational programs, workshops, exhibits, and special events throughout the year. Address: 3133 W. US Highway 34, Grand Island, NE 68801. Phone: (308) 385-5316.

"Learn About Surname Meanings and Origins" explains how hereditary surnames developed and the four major sources of many family names: patronymic (from a parent's given name), occupational, descriptive, and geographic or local surnames. The article also discusses how surname spellings changed over time and why researching earlier generations is important when determining a surname's origin and meaning.