 |
||
 |
Surfing for Surnames | |
 |
The Latest AncestorNews from Nancy Hendrickson | |
|
More Computer-Related Genealogy Advice | |
| . |  |
|
 |
||||
| Ethnic Toolkits Web Exclusive Forms Bookstore Soundex Code Generator Resources Writing Workshops Newsletter |
||||
Receive weekly research tips and leads on new resources via email.
AncestorNews: Surfing for Surnames Wouldn't it be great to find a Web site containing research on your surname? Maybe you can—here's how to track it down.
Cyndi's List alone lists more than 5,000 personal Web sites—almost all of them surname specific—however, you may not find the site in Cyndi's alphabetical listing. Her category called Surnames, Family Associations & Family Newsletters lists personal pages in alphabetic order.
So, if someone has a Webb surname page, it will be in the W section. But, if the Webb page also covers research on surnames ÒBenton, King, Jackson and Brewster,Ó those names won't appear in the alphabetized surname list. What to do? Use the Search the Entire Site box located at the top of the page. The search results will return hits for your surname, regardless of which section of the site they're in.
A lesser-known resource for personal pages is RootsWeb. RootsWeb provides free Web space for anyone who wants a site. From the Registry of Web Sites page, surf down through the alphabetical list and see if anyone has created a page for your surname. If you're lucky, you'll find a site loaded with family treasures!
Last, FamilySearch has a search function on the site that will search only through surname, family association or surname association Web sites. From the home page, click Search, then Web sites, then Surname and Family Organizations.
How else can you find surname-specific Websites? Use your favorite search engine and enter keywords such as yoursurname +genealogy or yoursurname + family tree or yoursurname +history.
For more on finding surnames online:
• GenForum • US Surname Distribution • All-Surnames Genealogy • RootsWeb Surname List Nancy Hendrickson is a contributing editor for Family Tree Magazine. She also is a family historian, freelance writer
and the author of the new book Finding Your Roots Online. Visit her Web site or e-mail her at stjoemo@pobox.com.
by Nancy Hendrickson
genforum.genealogy.com/surnames
www.hamrick.com/names
all-surnames.com
rsl.rootsweb.com
Article Search | Current Issue | Bookstore | About Us | Contact Us |