The Quest for Family History

April 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Family History

Image by gamal_inphotos via Flickr

Chasing family history has become a passion for many, revealing unknown secrets and treasures that were not known before. Inthe past, genealogy involved hours spent rummaging through old newspapers or in the library perusing different area documents. This is still a part of the process but a large part of it can now be done on the Internet. Here you can find resources to help you find documents, family members and trace your family tree.

One of the best advantages of this new trove of information is the ability to find records for births, deaths, marriages, land deeds and numerous other events. These can be valuable in tracking down a particular person. You can also locate cemeteries where past family members are buried and at times even find a photograph. This allows the family genealogist to build up an archive of documents, information and resources that create a solid, traceable family history.

It can also be an advantage to join an online genealogy site that allows you to do most of these tasks in one spot. You can save your family tree on the site’s server and others can contact you if they have information. You may even locate relatives that you did not even know you had. Archives, county governments and state entities are starting to digitize their collections, allowing you readier access to military documents, records and other family resources. You no longer have to wait weeks for a request for copies or for records to be sent to you.

Filed Under: Family, Names Tagged With: , ,

Tracing Your Family Names

March 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many people decide they want to trace their family names, also known as surname, after gaining an interest in learning about the history of their family. This is often referred to as genealogy.

There are multiple ways you can go and trace your family’s name by using any documents and records you are able to get your hands on. Most of the time these will be made open to the public so you shouldn’t have too many problems accessing them. Just keep in mind there could be a small fee to utilize these services.

Before heading out, it’s always recommended to try and find as much information as possible. Write down all the names, dates, birthplaces, marriages and deaths of those in your family. There is where asking other family members for help will come in handy.

Browse the Internet for genealogy records for information. It might be easier to start searching for your great-grandparents or grandparents, they tend to give the better results.

Head to your local library, courthouse or town clerk in the city where your family is from. Try to get access to any genealogical documents like a birth, death or marriage certificate. Go through old newspapers and burial records to try and find any information you can about your family names. Each building you go to is going to have different documents.

Remember to do a little research online and by talking to family members to get some names and dates of relatives. Remember to keep notes and document everything the best you can because you’re going to find a lot of photographs and information. It might be a lot to take in all at once.

Filed Under: Family, Names Tagged With: , ,

Keeping Your Maiden Name While Your Married

March 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

People often ask why you change your name after your married. The only reason answer is because it’s tradition and it’s what you’re supposed to do. Here’s the thing though. Taking your husband’s last name may be a tradition, but it’s not the law. You don’t actually have to do it if you don’t want to.

Keeping your maiden name even after your married is completely legal and, quite frankly, it’s not really anyone’s business but your own. It’s perfectly normally if you want to keep your maiden name even after you’re married. While some might find it strange, it’s not a bad thing.

If you’ve decided to keep your maiden name you won’t have to do all the paper work. You won’t have to fill out any forms or anything. Just keep on doing what you’ve been doing.

If you’re keeping your maiden name, be consistent about it. Don’t call yourself by your maiden name then ask people to call you by your married name, it’ll get confusing. Also what’s the point? You decided not to change it, yet you want people to address you by that name? Very confusing.

You’ll get some annoying comments so just ignore those. You’re not doing anything wrong by not taking your husband’s last name. Just laugh it off as pure entertainment that people are completely overreacting over a last name.

Your last name has nothing to do with whether or not your marriage will be a success, that’s all on your and your husband. People are putting way too much weight and pressure on what people do with their last name. To be completely honest, it really isn’t their business what you do with your last name. It’s entirely yours and your husband’s business. If he’s happy with that decision than that’s all that matters.

Filed Under: Family, Names Tagged With: , ,

Finding Out the Nationality Of Someone’s Last Name

February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Have you ever had people try and guess your nationality when they first hear your last name? We all want to know where our family came from. It’s normal to want to know where your roots are. The biggest thing people want to know about is the history of their last name.

Websites that deal with Ancestry is the best place to begin your search. All you’ll really need to know is the last name of the person you’re trying looking up. After clicking on the “search now” button, you should see the information about the meaning and the history of that person’s last name. Pretty simple, huh?

If you type in the first name, you can also find out what the meaning is of the person’s first name. It’s actually a pretty cool tool to use. There should also be information about family facts about where the family is from and any other additional information you might want to know.

If you want to dig a little deeper, you can check out websites on Genealogy. You can also take an intro course on it that teachers you about how you can go about navigating through your family tree. These online classes are generally free to take. The site offers different forums where you can chat with other people if you’re looking to get additional help or more information.

If this isn’t enough, you can also utilize paid services to get the information you’re looking for. These are professionals that have a lot of experience when it comes to researching names. The only downside is that they could be pretty expensive if you’re looking for a lot more information.

Head over to your local library and do some digging around for any records of births, marriages and deaths. You could find some interesting information there.

We all want to know where we came from. In just a few short minutes of using Google and a variety of websites you can find your entire family history and the meaning to your name. It’s amazing what the Internet can do for you.

Filed Under: Cultures, Names Tagged With: , ,
«Older Posts