Your ancestor may be hiding behind a spelling they never actually used. One of the most common genealogy research mistakes is searching for only one spelling of a surname or given name. Names have changed throughout history for many reasons. Clerks spelled names as they heard them. Census takers made mistakes. Newspapers contained typographical errors. […]
The census record may list your ancestor’s entire family—but that doesn’t mean anyone in the family supplied the information. The Myth It is easy to picture the census process this way: an enumerator walked up to your ancestor’s home, knocked on the door, spoke with the head of the household or another family member, and […]
Are you doing Ohio genealogy research and looking for Free Online Ohio Genealogy Records? Click on a link for your desired category’s free collection links: NewspapersYearbooksBirthsMarriagesDeathsBMD RecordsAlumni RecordsCemetery RecordsChurch RecordsCoroner RecordsCriminal RecordsDigital ArchivesDirectoriesDivorce RecordsImmigration RecordsInstitutional RecordsMilitary RecordsMortuary RecordsNaturalizationsObituariesPhotosProbate and WillsSchool RecordsTax RecordsVoter Records Good Luck and Happy Hunting! Want All of Ohio’s Genealogy Resources in […]
Given Name Abbreviations Historical records, newspapers, and family documents often use abbreviated given names rather than the full name. Understanding common German given name abbreviations can help you locate records that might otherwise be overlooked. Name Abbreviation Adelheid Adelh. Adolf A. Agnes Ag. Agnes Agn. Albert Al. Albert Alb. Alexander Alex. Alfred Alf. Amalie Am. […]
The best genealogy record is rarely the first one you find. Modern search engines have trained us to believe that the first result is usually the best result. Genealogy research doesn’t work that way. Search results are influenced by indexes, search algorithms, spelling variations, and the information you entered. The first record returned may simply […]
FamilySearch continues to add or update its record collections at a fast pace for us to search. For the period of August 1-15, 2026, the added/updated collections are: For a complete list of all added/updated collections, go to https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list I hope that some of these are what you have been waiting for! Good Luck and […]
Are you doing Arkansas genealogy research and looking for Free Online Arkansas Genealogy Records? Click on a link for your desired category’s free collection links: NewspapersYearbooksBirthsMarriagesDeathsBMD RecordsAlumni RecordsCemetery RecordsChurch RecordsCoroner RecordsCriminal RecordsDigital ArchivesDirectoriesDivorce RecordsImmigration RecordsInstitutional RecordsMilitary RecordsMortuary RecordsNaturalizationsObituariesPhotosProbate and WillsSchool RecordsTax RecordsVoter Records Good Luck and Happy Hunting! Want All of Arkansas’ Genealogy Resources in […]
Your ancestor may not have moved—but the county lines might have. One of the easiest ways to miss important genealogy records is to search only the county that exists today. County boundaries changed constantly as populations grew and new counties were created. An ancestor who lived on the same farm for fifty years may appear […]
Given Name Abbreviations Historical records, newspapers, and family documents often use abbreviated given names rather than the full name. Understanding common English given name abbreviations can help you locate records that might otherwise be overlooked. Name Abbreviation Abigail Ab. Abigail Abig. Abraham Abm. Abraham Ab. Abraham Abr. Abraham Abra. Adam A. Adelard Ad. Adrian Adr. […]
Are you doing California genealogy research and looking for Free Online California Genealogy Records? Click on a link for your desired category’s free collection links: NewspapersYearbooksBirthsMarriagesDeathsBMD RecordsAlumni RecordsCemetery RecordsChurch RecordsCoroner RecordsCriminal RecordsDigital ArchivesDirectoriesDivorce RecordsImmigration RecordsInstitutional RecordsMilitary RecordsMortuary RecordsNaturalizationsObituariesPhotosProbate and WillsSchool RecordsTax RecordsVoter Records Good Luck and Happy Hunting! Want All of California’s Genealogy Resources in […]