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''[[United States|United States]] > [[Nebraska|Nebraska]] > Nebraska Court | ''[[United States|United States]] > [[Nebraska|Nebraska]] > Nebraska Court Records'' | ||
Court records are usually searched after other records have already been investigated, but they should not be overlooked. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence. They often provide occupations, descriptions of individuals, and other excellent family history information. | Court records are usually searched after other records have already been investigated, but they should not be overlooked. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence. They often provide occupations, descriptions of individuals, and other excellent family history information. | ||
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Many of your ancestors' names will be found in court records—perhaps as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. They may have participated in cases involving probate, naturalization, divorce, debt, adoption, guardianship, licenses, appointment to public offices, taxes, civil and criminal lawsuits, property disputes, crimes, or many other matters brought before a court. | Many of your ancestors' names will be found in court records—perhaps as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. They may have participated in cases involving probate, naturalization, divorce, debt, adoption, guardianship, licenses, appointment to public offices, taxes, civil and criminal lawsuits, property disputes, crimes, or many other matters brought before a court. | ||
Because of their great importance to family history research, | Because of their great importance to family history research, see "[[Nebraska Probate Records]]" and "[[Nebraska Naturalization and Citizenship]]" for records of those courts. Divorces are discussed under "[[Nebraska Vital Records]]." | ||
Unfortunately, court records tend to be difficult to use. The records are usually not well-indexed, there are many records, court names and jurisdictions changed, and they use many legal terms and abbreviations. To interpret court records you may need to consult a dictionary, such as: | Unfortunately, court records tend to be difficult to use. The records are usually not well-indexed, there are many records, court names and jurisdictions changed, and they use many legal terms and abbreviations. To interpret court records you may need to consult a dictionary, such as: | ||
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Each state has the equivalent of a state supreme court and its own system of local courts, usually organized within counties or districts. Each court has jurisdiction over designated geographical areas and specific types of legal matters. The names and responsibilities of the courts in each state have changed and evolved throughout the years. | Each state has the equivalent of a state supreme court and its own system of local courts, usually organized within counties or districts. Each court has jurisdiction over designated geographical areas and specific types of legal matters. The names and responsibilities of the courts in each state have changed and evolved throughout the years. | ||
To learn about the courts where your ancestor lived, consult the "Court Records" articles of the appropriate state | To learn about the courts where your ancestor lived, consult the "Court Records" articles of the appropriate state FamilySearch Wiki articles. You may need to contact a local courthouse to learn about the courts that have served in that area. | ||
=== Major Types of Court Records === | === Major Types of Court Records === | ||
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Some court records and indexes have been printed. These are often summaries or abstracts of the records rather than the complete records. | Some court records and indexes have been printed. These are often summaries or abstracts of the records rather than the complete records. | ||
The Family History Library has copies of many of the published records and indexes. The library also has microfilm copies of indexes, minutes, dockets, and orders from many local courthouses. The library does not generally acquire copies of the complete case files or packets. You can find further information about court records in | The Family History Library has copies of many of the published records and indexes. The library also has microfilm copies of indexes, minutes, dockets, and orders from many local courthouses. The library does not generally acquire copies of the complete case files or packets. You can find further information about court records in FamilySearch Wiki articles for each state. The holdings of the Family History Library are normally listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under one of the following: | ||
[STATE] - COURT RECORDS | [STATE] - COURT RECORDS | ||