Local & County Contacts.
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Hall County's Communities
Below are links to chambers of commerce or informational websites about the city, town, or village within the county. The folks in these communities are courteous, friendly and happy to help if asked. If you know of any other civic centers via websites in Hall County, please send us the link(s). Thank you.
FamilySearch Centers
In Hall County, Nebraska, the FamilySearch Center (formerly known as the Family History Center) offers free public access to a variety of genealogical resources, from premium subscription websites to specialized records. Run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, these centers often provide personalized research help, making it easier for visitors to explore their family history, with resources conveniently available in Grand Island.
Address:
212 West 22nd Street, Grand Island, Hall County, NE 68801-2375
Note: Address for direction only
Phone: (308) 382-9418
Email: NE_GrandIsland@familyhistorymail.org
FamilySearch Wiki: Hall County Nebraska Genealogy
Hours: By Appointment Only
Direction:
An Affilate for FamilySearch
Grand Island Public LibraryAddress:
1124 West 2nd Street, Grand Island, NE 68801
Phone: (308) 385-5333
Direction:
Local Funeral Homes
Here are the main funeral homes serving Hall County, Nebraska, including Grand Island and, when known, other nearby areas. If you reach out to any of these funeral homes, be sure to ask if they might have past records available for your family history research.
Address:
2929 South Locust Street, Grand Island, NE 68801
Phone: (308) 398-2929
Address 1:
1123 West 2nd St
411 West 11th Street, Wood River, NE 68883
Phone: (308) 583-2721
Address:
3005 South Locust Street, Grand Island, NE 68801
Phone: (308) 384-8862
Address:
3213 West North Front Street, Grand Island, NE 68803
Phone: (308) 389-4656
Local Libraries
In Hall County, Nebraska, there are two local libraries that offer genealogical and historical resources to aid in your family history research. When you stop by either one, be sure to mention you were referred by the Hall County NEGenWeb Project.
1124 West 2nd Street, Grand Island, NE 68801
Phone: (308) 385-5333
910 Main Street
P. O. Box 10
Wood River, NE 68883-0010
Phone: (308) 583-2349
For more information, visit the City of Wood River page.
The following items are available at the Grand Island Library:
DAR/Sprague Collection
Past City Directories
Grand Island Daily Independent (On Microfilim)
Early Newspapers
Hall County Census Records
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A City Cemetery Book (Updated Periodically)
and many other collection of books.
Three Microfilm Readers available. A volunteer at the library can print out requests for obituaries, weddings, birth, and death announcement providing the exact date of the event. There is no charge for the search but for postage and copies. Also, available at the library some online databases, such as Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest, providing you have a current library card.
Local Newspapers
Local newspapers around Hall County have been in publication since 1872. The following information below has been published since 2011. Historical editions have been digitized, and newspapers prior to 2011 can be found on the "Hall County Digitization Newspaper Project," hosted by various local societies and organizations across the county. Check out the link below.
now Cairo Record Publishing Company, Cairo, NE 68824
Phone: (308) 485-4284
Address:
422 West 1st Street, Grand Island, NE 68801
Phone: (308) 382-1000
Fax: (308) 382-8129
http://www.theindependent.com/
Address:
Wood River, NE 68883-9176
Serving Alda, Cairo & Wood River
126 C Street
P. O. Box 640
Shelton, NE 68876
Phone: (308) 647-5158
Historical Newspapers Online!
New! Hall County Newspaper Digitzation Project t is a joint effort by local historical and genealogical societies, newspapers, public libraries, and museums. It aims to digitize 28 historic newspapers published in Hall County since 1870, including editions of The Grand Island Independent up to 1924.
Local Schools
The list below features local schools in Hall County, Nebraska, which can be a great resource for finding yearbooks or records of former students. If school librarians or staff can’t assist, try the local public library, historical societies, or museums for those materials.
Address:
206 West 3rd Street
P. O. Box 146
Alda, NE 68810-0146
Phone: (308) 382-4052
Address:
302 West Plum
P. O. Box 300
Doniphan, NE 68832-0300
Phone: (402) 845-2282
Address:
123 South Webb Road
P. O. Box 4904
Grand Island, NE 68802-4904
Phone: (308) 385-5900
Address:
2710 North North Road, Grand Island, NE 68803
Phone: (308) 385-6394
Address:
2124 North Lafayette, Grand Island, NE 68803
Phone: (308) 385-5950
Address:
1200 Ruby Avenue, Grand Island, NE 68803
Phone: (308) 384-2440
Address:
3900 West Husker Hwy, Grand Island, NE 68803-6001
Phone: (308) 385-3900
Address:
2726 South 130th Road, Wood River, NE 68883-2726
Phone: (308) 583-2325
Address:
13800 West Woodriver
P. O. Box 518
Wood River, NE 68883-0518
Phone: (308) 583-2249
Societies, Organizations, Etc.
Spread throughout Hall County, Nebraska, various societies, organizations, and museums provide a wealth of genealogical and historical resources that could reveal details about your ancestors. When calling or writing, be sure to share as much information as possible to ensure focused attention on your ancestor(s).
Nebraska State Genealogical Society. They have a list of publications for sale; microfilm for rent (to members); books available in NSGS collection at Beatrice, Nebraska; and reproductions of old issues of Nebraska Ancestree and NSGS Journal. NSGS has granted permission to NEGenWeb Project for the publication on-line of their Ancestree Journals aged over five years. All articles are to be posted only on NEGenWeb Project websites. Ownership remains with NSGS.
Nebraska State Historical Society. "The mission of the Nebraska State Historical Society is to safeguard and interpret Nebraska's past and make it accessible in ways that enrich present and future generations." Visit their " Reference By Mail section where you can get available help by mail.
Physical & Mailing Address:
3133 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, NE 68801
Phone: (308) 385-5316
Fax: (308) 385-5028
Email: info@stuhrmuseum.org
Address:
P. O. Box 326
or P. O. Box 404
Cairo, NE 68824
c/o Edith Abbott Memorial Library
Second & Washington Streets
Grand Island, NE 68801
Address:
4262 Michigan Avenue
P. O. Box 1683
Grand Island NE 68802
Phone: (308) 384-2154
The Hall County Historical Society promotes the research, education, and preservation of Hall County's heritage and history. We recently restored Grand Island's old Burlington depot and will rent the facility for public events, meetings, receptions, etc. Call 384-1545 to inquire about dates, fees, etc. Also check our website to purchase Hall County history books: Trails Into Time - Images of Hall County, William Stolley's The History of the first settlement in Hall County, John Sorensen's Our Showhouses, and Dr. Robert Manley, Platte Valley Chronicles -- Tales of Nebraska's Pioneer Trails.
vitalrec.com the most comprehensive resources for ordering vital records on the internet. Its contain give available information about where to obtain copies of Nebraska vital records, such as birth & death certificates, marriage licenses & divorce decrees.
Vital Information
Here are the local contacts for the county or city clerk's office if you need any vital records from Hall County, Nebraska. You can also check out Ancestry.com, which has Nebraska’s birth, death, and marriage ledgers from 1904 to 2022.
Address:
P. O. Box 456, Cairo, NE 68824
Address: 100 East 1st Street, Grand Island, NE 68801-5971
Phone: (308) 385-5478
vitalrec.com - the most comprehensive resources for ordering vital records on the internet. Its contain give available information about where to obtain copies of Nebraska vital records, such as birth & death certificates, marriage licenses & divorce decrees.