Through the generations families have relied on their matriarchs to identify and record their last name origin. Frequently, these surnames and last names were carefully recorded in the Family Bible and passed from generation to generation. The oldest son's family became the custodian and record keeper and passed it on through his family line. Many times the names, surnames and other genealogy information were lost or destroyed and only scant bits of information remain. Your job is to uncover those tiny bits of information, where ever they originate, sometimes one name and surname at time, so future generations can take pride in your family's heritage.
You probably have an idea about your surname origin. Relatives provided stories of where your families immigrated from and when they arrived in the region. Many times the stories reference surnames of cousins and in-law families and you will want to track down their origins as well. Some leads will reference overseas countries or maybe just the next county. Whatever the case follow the leads as far as you can. Based on the time period and the type of transportation that your family would have had access to, try the following:
- If the family traveled by boat, identify the ship that they were on. Many ship's passenger lists are available to search online;
- If the family entered a new country, search that government's website for family names and origins in their immigration records;
- If the family were religious, check Church records for visitor's names and out of town family members and where they originate;
- Check the census information to see if a surname was recorded on a particular census. The country of origin of each family member was recorded for most residents.
These are but a few of the possible sources of information that you can use to identify your surname origins. Perhaps, one of the most important sources is your own family. Check through all of the family scrapbooks and photo albums to look for possible clues or your origins and where your families originate. Make sure that you contact any relatives that you can because anyone of them might have a story, newspaper clipping or even county books and registers that might provide that all important first clue that you need to uncover your surnames origin.
