Researching Common Surnames
HostGFSDae
GENTREK - October 7, 2002
According to Patricia Law Hatcher, CG, "The most common reasons we have difficulties disentangling men of the same name include the following:
"We don't collect all the data.
We don't search broadly enough.
We don't analyze the data methodically.
We don't analyze the data dispassionately. "
What does your surname tell you about your ancestry? In American Surnames, Elsdon C. Smith describes the origins of surnames, how the names of immigrants to the United States changed, and how to recognize surnames of different nationalities. American Surnames, from Genealogical Publishing Company, has 370 pages describing origins and definitions of surnames. It also lists the 2,000 most common U.S. surnames, and estimates that there must be at least 1.5 million unique surnames in the United States. No, I won't list them all here.
A table of the relative frequency of the 147 most common surnames in the 20th century appears in the "Genealogists' Magazine," vol. 25, no. 11 (September 1997).
I learned that my CANRIGHT g-grandfather's name came from GERNRYK or KERNRYK, depending on the researcher's interpretation of the German first letter. I subscribe to the GERNRYK version, but it has less the sound similarity than the current C does to K.
"Well, so what?" you say. "Certainly CANRIGHT is NOT a common surname in the United States." Correct. But the methodologies used to trace this name back work equally well for Smith, Johnson, Brown, Jones, etc. Knowing the origin of a common surname is equally useful. Also, surnames common to a particular locality may be relatively rare across the entire country, and some locally unusual surnames may be far more common elsewhere.
We 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 usually survives. Given names can be even more important because they represent a voluntary choice by the parents or, sometimes, by an individual. A name is usually not given lightly. It represents considerable thought and feelings and can be significant to the researcher. While I won't go into patronymics and onomastic studies, there are some good references in the forum here about naming conventions and patterns. See Host GFS Jan's discussion:
AOL Keyword: ROOTS > Library > New File Uploads > New File Uploads > GENTREK-Name Variations
If you pay close attention to your family lines, you may discover some definitive naming patterns. For common surnames, this technique can really stand out. Don't simply look at the first names, either. Just a simple example in the last century: my brother was named after the Middle name of his Maternal grandfather and the First name of his Paternal grandfather. Granted, most families don't follow this convention, but I've found it repeated several times in mine.
Knowing the timeline for the ancestor helps, too. My gg-grandfather James Knox Polk was born when the famous one was a governor and later became President of the United States. War heroes, statesmen, pioneering women and even popular novel characters are often chosen for personal names. These clues can pinpoint an individual, too. See Host GFS Jill's presentation:
AOL Keyword: ROOTS > Library > New File Uploads > New File Uploads > GENTREK - Timelines
Recurring names are good clues that a person might be related, especially when they are uncommon. Additionally, those with common surnames often choose less common given names for their offspring.
Some of the more interesting names came from early New England where parents sometimes named their children after virtues they hoped they would possess: Patience, Charity, Prudence, Thankful and Freelove. I've ancestors who possessed each of these. In view of current meanings, "Freelove" does not seem to be an appropriate name for a daughter today! Other names had special meaning. In early New England it is believed that the name Benoni was associated with sorrow and was used when the mother was unmarried, died in childbirth, or if the circumstances were in any way unfortunate.
Prior to the last century, parents could usually count on one-third of their children not surviving. When a child died, the name was often used again. When checking birth records, don't stop when you find the name you are seeking. Continue searching through a few more years, because the first child could have died and your ancestor could be the second child in the family with that name. Suppose you see George in the 1850 census as a six year old and then in the 1860 census as an eight year old. This may not be a mistake. It may mean the first one died shortly after the 1850 census was taken. Look at Host GFS Diana's contribution:
AOL Keyword: ROOTS > Library > Logs, Newsletters and More > Beginners > GENTREK-Federal Census
Carefully note any surname that is a given name, even a middle name. The mother's side may be revealed through the use of family names for her children. One woman named her first son Henry and a later son John Henry. Since Henry is a first name, it wasn't that unusual, but it was significant because the woman's maiden name was later discovered to be Henry.
Don't overlook nicknames, either. Polly just could be your long-lost Mary Smith. Cornelius might just be your great Uncle Neil Downs. And what if there were other names given than the one you are familiar with? Example: a Spaniard named Diego, a Scotsman named Amish or an Irishman called Seams probably wouldn't change to James, but that may just be the only way you know him now. Check out Host GFS Marie's talk:
AOL Keyword: ROOTS > Library > Logs, Newsletters and More > Beginners > GENTREK-Nicknames
Here is an interesting bit about women's lines. Suppose you have the marriage record of your ancestor, but no information about the wife other than her name. Make a note of the person performing the ceremony. Often the minister who performed the wedding is a relative. Her name may be different because she was a widow, thus being referred to by her first husband's name, instead of her maiden name. Also, the minister could be an uncle on her mother's side. Host GFS Sam gave an informative talk:
AOL Keyword: ROOTS > Library > Logs, Newsletters and More > Beginners > GENTREK-Female Ancestors
It can be difficult to prove identity when there are several individuals with the same name at the same time and region. In addition from analyzing the family with the naming trends, try to learn everything about the ancestor: wife, children, children's spouses, minister, debtors, creditors, occupation, religion, neighbors, siblings, politics, etc. Find his neighbors by studying the description of every parcel of land that he owned. Try to learn as much about his neighbors as possible. Why? Because many of these may be in-laws or direct relations.
Surf the Pedigree Databases
Ancestry, Ellis Island, FamilySearch, etc.
Most pedigree databases can search for a name and year of birth. Start by searching for your earliest known ancestor for each surname. Even if you don't find the desired individual, there is still hope. Try a few proven search strategies to help make the best use of pedigree databases:
- Try alternate spellings such as Smythe, Johnston or Braun. Don't limit yourself to just one spelling of your ancestor's surname. Some pedigree databases automatically show similarly spelled names, while others require an exact match.
- Search by last name and first initial only. This tactic can result in extra names to sift through, but will also help to find common spelling anomalies and abbreviations, as well as first names which were listed with just an initial.
- Search for the names of your ancestors' relatives. Although your ancestors may not be on file, their close relatives might be.
- For very common surnames, search on the surname combined with a place name and time period. Some pedigree databases let you focus your search to a state or range of years. POWELL is common enough that I focus on the families that lived in Ohio, Indiana, and Kansas for the 19th century, Wales and England for the 18th century.
- Use other factors to narrow the scope of the search such as the following:
~wife's first name,
~children's names,
~port of arrival,
~occupation,
~and nearly anything that helps make your ancestor more unique.
- Delve into the database for any possible connections to increase the possibility of encountering useful information.
Dealing with your discoveries
When you find matches, most pedigree databases can print family group sheets, pedigree charts and other forms. Often you can create a GEDCOM file—the universal exchange format for computerized genealogy data—to import the data directly into your software.
DO NOT import directly into your Master files!!
Not all that you find in a pedigree database is accurate. Create a separate file for CANDIDATE FAMILIES. You can merge individuals or families as needed afterward. Peruse the new file to see if the data looks plausible. Do the dates fit? Is there documentation of sources to show where the information was found? Citations to original records, such as birth certificates, census records and wills, enhance the file's credibility. Information from published histories and family tradition is helpful, but these sources are more prone to error. If no other sources are cited, you should keep researching until you find reliable evidence to back up each claim.
Try to contact the submitter of the file for more information, copies of records and the names of other researchers interested in the same families. The information available may be updated with additional documentation.
Where else should you look on the Internet?
RootsWeb Surname List (RSL)
http://rsl.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/rslsql.cgi#search
This is the largest research coordination service with over half a million surnames registered by 100,000 submitters. Locate others researching the same surnames, to share and compare data. Click on "Submitter" to see name, email, and often postal address and Web URL of the submitter. Click on the email address to send that person a message. You can click on "See all surname entries by this submitter" to determine how nearly your lines match. Also get a free submitter's "nametag" (such as DaePowell) and use their form to submit your research interests and register your own surnames.
GenForum (Genealogy.com/FamilyTreeMaker.com)
http://genforum.familytreemaker.com
This is a database of queries in more than 16,000 surname, locality, and subject "forums." It is one of the largest message boards on the Internet. Type a surname and search for a forum or surf the lists. Find a state forum by entering state name or abbreviation. Inside the forums, you search keywords.
RootsWeb Surname Helper
http://surhelp-bin.rootsweb.com/srchsur.pl
This is a surname engine for queries and surnames posted on various genealogy sites including many USGenWeb and WorldGenWeb sites. All GenConnect boards at RootsWeb are indexed in Surname Helper.
GenConnect at RootsWeb Global Surname Search
http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi?search
Search more than 369,000 messages posted to more than 6,000 query boards, 1998 to present.
Geneanet: Genealogical Database Network
http://www.geneanet.org
Five million pre-1900 surname entries linked to Web, email, or real world addresses of submitters.
Common Threads (Genealogy's best kept secret?)
http://www.gensource.com/common/search.cfm
This is a database of thousands of 25,000 surname queries.
SUMMARY: Common Surname 13-point Strategy
- Look at location first. Try narrowing by state, and if that still gives you too many hits, be even more specific with county (if available).
- Add the first name or initial.
- Check message boards, mailing lists, and the RSL. Be selective preferably according to location and time period criteria based on their postings or entries.
- Consider the middle name. Not only do you need to limit the location, probably down to the county level, but you will probably need to use both first name, middle name and location simultaneously.
- Post your own query on a message board or mailing list, providing all additional information (first names, locations, and dates) to help other researchers determine if you are talking about their people. GFA Terry has an excellent presentation:
AOL Keyword: ROOTS > Library > Logs, Newsletters and More > Beginners > GENTREK-Message Boards
- Include the words "genealogy," "family history," or "surname" to eliminate businesses, products, or common words with the same name, such as Brown, Ford, Pilgrim, Johnson & Johnson, etc.
- Record and print out ALL the information you find.
- For US Census, also grab the 10 nearest neighbors on each side of your CANDIDATE entry. The next Census or two may find children that married.
- Grab the Land and Tax Records for this surname and location! Go forward and backward, too, to learn if land was sold or given by elders to younger generations. See Host GFS Vicki's talk:
AOL Keyword: ROOTS > Library > Logs, Newsletters and More > Beginners > GENTREK-Land Records Research
- Lay the pieces of information out over a large area -- larger than the kitchen table. Obtain some colored highlighters and mark your CANDIDATES that intersect with shared data in the same color. No analysis, yet, just grouping the data.
- Build a timeline of the information with the same highlighting. Are there any anomalies? Does an individual die before getting married? (Probably 2 different individuals, right?)
- With an excess of one color, it may be necessary to narrow it down with a second color and compare pairs of colors.
- From the timeline, a brief biography can be constructed. Check the other pieces of information for a "reasonable fit."
I know. You're thinking, "That's a lot of work." "It seems too much like research." "I don't think I've got the time to do all that." Read DarlaJo's discussion:
AOL Keyword: ROOTS > Library > New File Uploads > New File Uploads > GENTREK-Genealogy Attitudes
Perhaps you'll get lucky and someone else will do the work for you. Perhaps you've got the resources to hire someone else. Great!! Meanwhile, I'm hoping to bless my family with MY efforts. This works -- I've done it. (You can do it, too.)
