Nebraska Historical Society Library and Archives reopens March 9, 2010

Great news has arrived from the Nebraska State Historical Society!

The library and archives in Lincoln has been closed doing the building renovation and will reopen March 9, 2010!

Check the society's website for updated Information. Regular Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9-12 a.m., 1-4 p.m. & Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Closed on State Holidays)

The Library has the largest collection of Nebraska state and local histories including Nebraska atlases, plat books, flat maps, city directories and phonebooks. Most of these titles are not available on the Web.

They have over 3000 genealogies/family histories collected during our 131-year history. We have a general collection of non-Nebraska genealogy guides and histories from other states. Again, many may not be available on the Web and you can use them right here in Lincoln.

The microfilm collection includes the largest collection of Nebraska newspapers in the state. Check out the online Nebraska

Contact the staff about the Nebraska Statewide Cemetery Registry and cemetery tombstone transcriptions in the Library.

Government Records at the NSHS include various federal, state, and county records used in family research.

George Washington Peight died after marching in parade - Named after the first President

Since today is President's Day, it seems fitting to share information about the death of a family member who was named for George Washington and who shared a birthday, February 22, with the father of the country.

Participant Dies Suddenly After Parade

One participant in Saturday afternoon's parade, George W. Peight, aged 71, of 419 Cherry avenue, a retired machinist of the Altoona works, died of a heart attack while watching the firemen's demonstration at the Cricket field following the parade.

Mr. Peight marched in the parade in a high silk hat, waving a policeman's night stick and handcuffs. He collapsed at the Cricket field and was removed to the Altoona hospital where it was found death had already ensued, Deputy Coroner Edgar G. Walls reported.

Mr. Peight was born in Altoona on Feb. 22, 1878, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Peight, and retired from the railroad company service on Jan. 1, 1943 after more than 47 years employment.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Mary E. (Burns) Peight; one step-son, Calvin Baird of Mill Creek; an adopted daughter, Katherine Peight of Altoona; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Cora Deshong and Mrs. Alice Beck, both of Altoona.

He was a member of the Fourth Street Church of God. Friends will be received at the Axe funeral home.

Altoona Mirror
Altoona, Pennsylvania
August 15, 1949

John Crispin Pecht and Amanda Melvina Stover

Valentine's Day seems like a good time to recognize the wedding of my great-great grandparents, John Crispin Pecht and Amanda Melvina Stover. They were married in Lena, Stephenson County, Illinois on September 6, 1859.

From Illinois, they moved their family to the area of Republic and Jewell counties in Kansas, across the state line from Hardy, in Nuckolls County, Nebraska.

Happy Valentine's Day

Our ancestors must have loved exchanging Valentine's Day cards. Pictured above is one of several Valentines that were given to my grandfather. This one was given to Willie Kelly by his teacher when he was seven or eight years old, circa 1899.

Tired of Being Cooped Up Inside this Winter? Take a class!

If you're like me, you've had it with this winter weather and snow! Internet genealogy research can only take you so far. Brush up or add to your genealogy research skills with a class being offered at Southeast Community College in Lincoln next month.

Here's the course description:

Intermediate Genealogy: Research Your Family Tree

For those who have started work on their genealogy, this class will delve into the use of a variety of sources such as military, court, land and immigration/naturalization documents and newspapers. Learn to pick up on clues and break through your brick walls. We will discuss documenting, citing sources and how to use standards of proof. The class meets on two consecutive Saturday mornings beginning March 6.

Click here for a course catalog and registration form.

Looking for genealogy records in Omaha?

Are you looking for birth, death and marriage records from Omaha, Nebraska? The Greater Omaha Genealogical Society has a records index search available online.

Click here for obituaries

Click here for marriages

Click here for births

Who Do You Think You Are - Sneak Peek

NBC has removed this video from its site.

NET Presents "Faces of America" National Educational Training Workshop on Feb. 6

LINCOLN, Nebraska - Nebraskans are invited to explore history, genealogy and what made America by unraveling our country's global tapestry during a free "Faces of America" National Educational Training Workshop to be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT at the NET Building, 1800 North 33rd Street, in Lincoln. The workshop is in support of the upcoming four-part PBS series "Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.," airing Wednesdays at 7 p.m. CT, beginning Feb. 10, on NET1 and in high definition on NET-HD.

Lecturer and family historian Timothy Nathan Pinnick of the Chicago area will present the keynote address at the workshop. Pinnick has more than 25 years of research experience, with special emphasis in African American history and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. His lecture is entitled "What Is Genealogy and Why Should I Care?" After his address, a workshop by Pinnick will provide an update on the evolving interest in family history research and technology that can support it.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln history professor and internationally-recognized genealogist William Thomas will present a second workshop at the event. Thomas teaches 19th century U.S. history and specializes in Civil War, the U.S. South and digital history.

The "Faces of America" event also includes an overview of the "Faces of America" series and Web site, as well as a demonstration of how teachers can use genealogy in their classroom lesson plans. Executive Steel Band, a Lincoln-based musical group, will entertain attendees with uniquely-styled music, including original compositions of classical and modern rhythmic sounds born in Trinidad and Tobago.

Seating at the workshop is limited to 100 and reservations are required by calling Martha Florence at 402/472-9333, ext. 603 or e-mailing mflorence@netNebraska.org. The registration deadline is Feb. 4.

A free lunch is provided for each registered guest.

In the "Faces of America" series, Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. turns to the latest tools of genealogy and genetics to explore the family histories of 12 renowned Americans, including Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, actress Eva Longoria, musician Yo-Yo Ma and television host/heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz. Gates examines the wider immigrant story and the American experience by following his guests’ lives back to their earliest origins around the globe. For more information about the "Faces of America" series and project, visit www.pbs.org/facesofamerica.

NET1 and NET-HD are part of NET Television, a service of NET. For complete program schedules, visit NET's Web site.