Search Results for: blog a family tree is more than a list of names

Most Unusual Baby Names of 2012

It has become unsurprising when celebrities choose to give their babies an odd sounding name. What isn’t so expected is when people who are not famous choose to give their babies a name that is unique (and bordering on bizarre). BabyCenter.com has a list of the most unusual baby names of 2012. Genealogists who have been working on their family trees quickly notice that some names have been in the family for generations. It is also common for parents to choose a name for their baby that was inspired by popular culture. Some parents intentionally choose to give their daughters … Continue reading →

Christmas Gifts for Your Irish Relatives

This year, give your family members a gift that reflects their heritage. A gift that reminds people of their heritage, and the country that their ancestors came from, will be more meaningful than a gift card could ever be! Here are some great gift suggestions that genealogists can give to their Irish relatives. Christmas is closer than you might think! Now is the time to plan out the gifts that you intend to give to relatives. Get started on the handmade gifts right away! Keep in mind that gifts that you purchase online will require time for shipping. Here are … Continue reading →

Is There A Black Sheep In Your Family History?

Is there a black sheep ancestor somewhere in your family tree? If so, you are probably curious about some of the stories that have been handed down over the years. How much truth is there in what you have heard, and how much has been embellished or covered over? Perhaps your family prefers to let sleeping ghosts lie – until you discover interesting details while conducting what you thought was a routine check of the census records. Researching or discovering a black sheep ancestor can be fascinating, yet it can be very difficult for you and for your family. When … Continue reading →

Finding New Clues In Census Records

With the 1940 United States Census freshly indexed and available online, you may be wondering how you can use Census data to make progress in your family history research. Of course you can look for the names of some of your family members in the 1940 Census (as well as prior Census records). Don’t stop there, though. Some of the questions might give you information that you can use to find even more facts for your family tree in other places. The questions that are asked on each Census vary slightly, so some of these hints may not be applicable … Continue reading →

Madison is More Popular Than Betty

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What’s in a name? More than you might think! Genealogists at FindMyPast have reviewed data about names that were taken from the U.S. Social Security Administration and compared the popularity of names from 1940 to the names of children today. A popular name, that is no longer as common, could reflect social changes. Parents who are seeking a name for their newborn frequently take inspiration from one of two sources. They might select a name that has been passed down through their family for generations, or name their child after his or her grandparent. Or, parents might look to popular … Continue reading →

Family Tree University Has New Online Genealogy Courses

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Family Tree University, or FTU, periodically offers online courses for genealogists. They last for four weeks and are instructor-guided. FTU is the online education program from the publishers from Family Tree Magazine. I don’t think that it is an accredited university, but, it is a good way for a genealogist to learn more about genealogy. There are several Family Tree University courses that will begin very soon. If you are interested in taking one of these courses there are a few things that you should know. They are virtual classes, and you can log into them whenever it is convenient … Continue reading →

What’s New at FamilySearch? – Week of June 15, 2012

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FamilySearch is one of the most popular genealogy websites. They put a lot of work into updating what the website has to offer genealogists. It also helps that FamilySearch can be used for free by any genealogist who is interested in checking it out. Here is some of what’s new at FamilySearch this week. FamilySearch has a blog that is updated frequently. Checking it over, from time to time, is a good way to find out what is new at the website, and also to find out about some interesting resources that it can offer genealogists. This week, they have … Continue reading →

What’s New at FamilySearch? – Week of June 8, 2012

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There are plenty of reasons why FamilySearch is one of the most popular genealogy websites. The website is constantly adding new records and helpful information about genealogy techniques, resources, and terminology. It also helps that all genealogists can use FamilySearch for free! Here are some of the new things going on at FamilySearch this week. FamilySearch is still working hard on indexing the 1940 United States Census. Every time they update, they post a blog called “1940 Census Indexing Progress Report”. Four more states have been added to FamilySearch. They now have a total of 18 states that are completely … Continue reading →

Focus on Female Ancestors

Mother’s Day is next week. What does that mean for your genealogy research? It means that now is a great time to focus on learning more about your female ancestors. Two fun projects include researching maiden names and interviewing your mother or grandmother. Maiden names can lead you to new branches on your family tree. After all, every woman comes from a family of her own. When a woman marries, her family tree connects to that of her husband and adds a new dimension to the ancestry of both families. Where can you find the maiden name of a female … Continue reading →

Are There Witches in Your Family Tree?

Did any of your ancestors live in a location, and during a time, where there were “witch trials” taking place? If so, then there could be some very interesting family history that is just waiting for a genealogist to uncover it. There is potential that one, or more, of your ancestors were accused of being a witch. I first learned about the Salem Witch Trials in a history class I took when I was a student. These dark and disturbing events took place in Salem, Massachusetts, in the United States. Other witch trials took place in Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and … Continue reading →