For those with common surnames like Smith and Jones, conducting genealogy research can be challenging, but not impossible.
With patience and diligence, you can discover your family’s immigration history, relatives, and role in history.
Here are some tips for researching a common surname
1. Organization is essential when collecting information on numerous individuals. Sort the data by date, type of information, family branch, and family member sources.
2. Whenever possible, include a location and time period when searching for a surname. This will help you narrow down the results when searching for records such as baptisms.
3. To eliminate non-genealogy results, use specific genealogical terms such as family, genealogy, cemetery, and wedding announcements when searching online or using reference materials. This is particularly important when searching online or using reference materials.
4. Use any unique identifiers you may have to assist your search. For example: if your great-great-grandmother’s maiden name was Pinkley, then you’re more apt to find more specific results using this surname being attached by marriage to the common surname you are searching for.
5. Investigate whether the surname has any unique origin, such as being an abbreviated name from when your family immigrated, an anglicized name assigned by immigration officials. Immigration officials were known for “anglicizing” surnames if they couldn’t understand or could not spell an immigrating person’s surname. Additionally, some surnames derived from an occupation; example: Blacksmith.
6. Pay attention to the family first names passed down from generation to generation, which can indicate cultural naming traditions and help narrow down search results.
Although genealogy research with a common surname can be more challenging, it is not impossible.
If you run into roadblocks, consider seeking help from a professional researcher.
Avoid using online services that promise to create a family tree as they are often incomplete and contain errors.
Whether your surname is Smith, Miller, Jones or another common surname… or even if it’s Papadapolis,… building a family tree is an interesting and rewarding process.
Don’t let an obstacle like a common surname stop you from enjoying the benefits!
Warning: Genealogy can prove addictive! LOL
