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Genealogy research tips

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Easy Google Genealogy Searcher by Ancestor Search. Learn the possibilities Google offers for a genealogy search. The Importance of Given Names. In genealogy we usually concentrate on surnames since they are the most important way of identifying people who are related. A surname is usually inherited and, while it may be changed, some form of it is usually retained. Given names are more important in a way because they represent a voluntary choice by the parents or, sometimes, by an individual. A name is usually not given lightly. It represents thought and feelings and can be significant to the researcher. Naming Patterns You will often see the same names used over and over again in families.

You will probably see names of parents and grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles repeated, but not in any strict order. Frequency Even if the family did not follow this strict pattern, the repetition of names can be significant, especially if there is an unusual name. Some families may show an extreme fondness for one name. Names as a Virtue Recycled Names Surnames as Given Names Consider the following: Thomas Simpson married Mary. Nicknames. Automated Genealogy. 101 Ways to Research Your Family Tree for Free. Is free genealogy a thing of the past? With the constant addition of subscription genealogy databases on the Internet, people often wonder if there will soon be an end to free genealogy research via the Web.

For those of you with this concern, take heart - free genealogy databases aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Web sites from all over the world contain free genealogy information of use to family tree researchers which has been contributed by individuals, companies and even governments. Birth records, marriage records, military records, ships passenger lists, surnames, census records, immigration records, wills, photos and much, much more are available on the Internet for FREE if you just know where to look. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Next Page > Free Genealogy Sites (6-10) How To Do Genealogy Research | Ancestor Search. First Cousins Once Removed (and so on) This may help you work out what relations other members of your family are to you. Cousins To find what cousin another member of your family is to you, find the nearest common ancestor, such as a grandfather or a great-grandfather. Count the number of generations that you and your cousin are from the ancestor.

If you are the same number of generations from the ancestor as your cousin, then you are first, second, third or more cousins, where the number is one less than the number of generations that you and your cousin are from the ancestor. For example, if your nearest common ancestor is your great-grandfather, three generations away, you are second cousins. If your cousin is a different number of generations from the ancestor, then you are first, second, third or more cousins, where the number is one less than the number of generations that the nearer of you and your cousin is from the ancestor. Your father's cousin is your first cousin once removed, and so is your cousin's son. Old Telephone Books: Telephone Book Links. 101 Ways to Research Your Family Tree for Free. Types of Postcards. Exclusive Maps - Family Tree Magazine. You don't need a time machine to travel back to your ancestors' day and experience life as they knew it — just attend a historical re-enactment.

We'll help you find the right events for your research. Expert answers to your genealogy questions. Web sites, suppliers, books and resources for creating heritage scrapbooks. Genealogist's Google Earth Premium Collection With the free online program Google Earth, you can follow your forebears across the planet from the comfort of your personal computer. Family Tree Magazine - Cheat Sheet. Top Things to Do at Genealogy.com. 101 Ways to Research Your Family Tree for Free.