Scotts Bluff Co., NEGenWeb

About Scotts Bluff County

Welcome to Scotts Bluff County! It is said that Scotts Bluff (the monument) was named after Hiram Scott, a fur trapper who was abandoned by his companions and eventually died at the base of the bluffs in 1828. It is for him Scotts Bluff National Monument, Scotts Bluff County, and the city of Scottsbluff have been named. Scotts Bluff County was originally a part of Cheyenne County until early settlers voted for a closer county seat in 1888, which in turn resulted in the creation of Scotts Bluff, Kimball, Banner, and Deuel Counties and greatly reduced Cheyenne County. Gering, one of the first towns in the panhandle and a leader in the movement for partition, became the county seat of Scotts Bluff County.  Some early towns in Scotts Bluff County include Caldwell, Collins(Morrill), Gering, Haig, Henry, McGrew, Melbeta, Minatare, Mitchell and Scottsbluff to name a few. More will be added later as details become available.

Scotts Bluff County Coordinator

Hello, my name is Floyd Smith III.  As of March 2003, I became the “New” Scotts Bluff County Coordinator for this site.  I am originally from California, but was transplanted here in 1977.  I graduated high school in Morrill, then went to Phoenix, AZ to attend college.  I moved back to the valley in 1989.  On March 1st, 2004, I opened the West Nebraska Family Research & History Center in Scottsbluff.  I do take look-up requests, but they are on a first-come/first-served basis.  Genealogy is and has been a passion of mine for well over 20 years.  I cannot work miracles, but I will do what I can to help you on your ancestral quest.  Please understand that all research requests I receive will be handled through the West Nebraska Family Research & History Center, therefore it is possible you may incur some research expenses.  It all depends on the type of information you are requesting.

The Rebecca Winters Genealogical Society also takes research requests. Please contact them directly for more information.  You will find their address on the “Researchers Address Book” page on this site.

As research volunteers become available, they will be added to a “Look-up Volunteer” page.

Coming Soon!

• More pictures will be added to the Photo Gallery.
• Early Livestock Brands
• Census Transcriptions
• Historic Landmark Photos
• Scottsbluff POW Camp details
• Old business advertisements
• Railroads and the Wayside Stations they used
• Who’s Who in early Scotts Bluff County
• More Cemetery Transcriptions
• Much, much more…..Bookmark this page so you can keep an eye on us!

Online Resources

I am constantly on the lookout for more information to add to this site for your benefit.  If you have any of the following records, please consider contributing them to this project.  We would be delighted to post – Scotts Bluff County Cemetery Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Deed Books, Minutes & Tax Lists; City Directories, Church Records, Family, Business & Town Histories; Maps and Atlases; Scotts Bluff County Census Records, School Enrollment Records and Military Records.  Basically, any type of historical information that pertains to Scotts Bluff County is being sought.

Please let me know what information you have and how you want it added to this site.