Lincoln Nebraska Family History Center

04/26/2025

Useful information...

16 Hidden Genealogy Clues That Help Determine Relationships

A major goal for genealogists is to seek records and determine relationships. Many records, such as census records and birth, death, and marriage certificates, have the evidence you need right there on the document. But there are lots of documents and other materials that simply provide clues. They do not have the answers written on them.

Furthermore, there are lots of materials that provide hidden clues, and many genealogists simply miss the clues or fail to take these clues into consideration when seeking evidence.

Here are several places where clues, if considered, can lead to determining relationships.

https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/16-hidden-genealogy-clues-that-help-determine-relationships/

04/26/2025

This is interesting....

Ever wonder why your ancestors suddenly left an area and moved to a distant region? Or, why did they return to the same area that they originally came from? If you had family who lived in the States of Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas or the western portions of Iowa, Missouri, or Minnesota in the mid 1870 s, chances are they were witnesses of the devastating plagues of locusts that swept over the region. Lush gardens and fields of a wide range of crops were reduced to a barren, desert like appearance within a matter of hours. Crops that were needed to sustain a family and their farm animals were destroyed leaving no means of support during the coming winter.

According to the first-hand account of A. L. Child transcribed by Riley et al. (1880), a swarm of Rocky Mountain locusts passed over Plattsmouth, Nebraska, in 1875. By timing the rate of movement as the insects streamed overhead for 5 days and by telegraphing to surrounding towns, he was able to estimate that the swarm was 1,800 miles long and at least 110 miles wide. Based on his information, this swarm covered a swath equal to the combined areas of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Much more information about the Locust Plague of 1875 can be read here
http://www.hearthstonelegacy.com/when-the-skies-turned-to-black-the_locust-plague-of-1875.htm

03/31/2025

Here is the schedule for our 2025 Spring Series of classes. Once again we will be featuring an in-depth look at the FamilySearch.org website that you can use to build your FamilyTree. Hope to see you this spring.

FREE Spring Classes
FamilySearch Center
3000 Old Cheney Road
7:00-8:30pm
Please RSVP - LincolnFHC@gmail.com
Class size is limited
Take one class or the whole series

Thursday, April 17 - Getting Started on FamilySearch.org--Discover the Free World-Wide Family Tree!

Thursday, April 24 - Searching for Records on FamilySearch.org--Finding your Family's Stories

Thursday, May 1 - Additional Resources on FamilySearch.org--Go Farther in your Discoveries and Have Fun Along the Way

Thursday, May 8 - Adding Memories to FamilySearch FamilyTree--Preserve Photos, Videos, Voices, and More!

Send a message to learn more

03/19/2025

The Lincoln FSC will be closed Thursday, Mar 20 during the day due to illness. Stay safe.

03/17/2025

Interesting article...

https://maureensantini.substack.com/p/kids-who-know-their-family-history?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0LRnw1ackVOpSr4H1lv-nxX9pMz4X5T8Z9TPsOcKJ4KNHsa4RatN4tCnk_aem_MGlVs4A5-Tnp6d90NsWv4w

Write Your Life Story for Posterity

02/22/2025

We'll be there...

Only a few days away. Hope to see you there!

02/13/2025

Due to extremely low temps tomorrow - the FamilySearch Center will be closed on Thursday, Feb 13.

02/12/2025

We will also be closed....

DISTRICT CLOSURE - on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, due to the forecasted winter storm warning and dangerous conditions. All LPS buildings are closed, and all classes and activities are canceled. Visit lps.org for more information.

01/20/2025

Tuesday, Jan 21 - LPS is closed so we will be closed due to low temps.

11/21/2024

Starting Nov 21, 2024 the Lincoln FamilySearch Center will now be open on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm. Reminder....We will be closed the week of Thanksgiving (Nov 23-Dec 2) and the 2 weeks of Christmas and New Years (Dec 22-Jan 6).

10/28/2024

Genealogy makes you smarter...

There was a study done in 2009 and published in 2010 by Peter Fischer, Anne Sauer, Claudia Vogrinic, and Silke Weisweiler titled "The Ancestor Effect: Thinking About Our Genetic Origin Enchances Intellectual Performance."

The study itself looked at the Psychological Effects of Ancestor Salience, particularly the intellectual benefits. Basically, does family history make you smarter? In a nutshell, folks, yes it does. The study was set up in four parts and performed with college age students. In each aspect, the test subjects were asked, depending on their groups, to either think about an ancestor or not before being asked about their personal academic expectations or to perform in various intelligence tests, depending on what portion of the study they were working on. The premise was to see if having a higher ancestor salience impacted intelligence positively.

The test sample in the first part of the study showed that those who thought about their ancestors (15th century or great-grandparents, didn't matter) had a significantly higher academic expectations for themselves, as well as a (marginally) higher sense of personal control than the control group. Impressive, right? But for those of us in this field, are we surprised? The general population jumped all over this study, and while it is groundbreaking, it's also extremely exciting to see the crossover of the benefits of genealogy that we're somewhat privy to over to the masses.

This idea of ancestor salience and being immersed in the importance and highlights of our ancestor's lives is such a critical one, especially for young people today. And how much we know (a little or a lot) didn't adversely affect group one and two in this portion of the study. Simply thinking about ancestors increased their personal expectations and sense of control in their lives. That is a genetic superpower right there if I have ever seen one!

Read the study here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ejsp.778

09/24/2024

The State Historical Society will be open more hours starting Oct 7th....

Beginning Oct. 7, the public will have more opportunity to peruse the files of the Nebraska State Historical Society for research purposes.