| If you are going to search foreign resources online, a few words
of wisdom from other genealogists about name issues online.
Surname Localities
- Families traditionally lived in the same town for generations
so once you find that town you may be very busy there untangling
the many roots.
- Even common surnames are historically clustered in particular
areas so people may have written books or articles about these
names. Search for name books in your areas of research.
Leverage this surname-clustering principle to find precisely where
your ancestor lived by:
Conducting a Single-Surname Study
- Identify all the families sharing your ancestor's surname within
the city, county, or larger jurisdiction.
- Become familiar with the variant spellings of the surname in
this locality
- Tease out the relationships between these families
- Search out the oldest generation
Correspond with Locals
- The oldest residents of your ancestor's village may know the
origins of your family
- Use online and microfilmed phone books, databases, message boards,
and family-tree databases. I used a traditional phonebook in a
town in France, called the operator and asked for anyone by that
name, and ended up with the mayor. He was related to the client,
and they went over to visit him.
DNA Testing - Y - chromosome tests may help with
your paternal lineage |
