surnames in genealogy & surname distribution maps
TRANSCRIPT
Good!
Better!
Context Is Critical In Family History
• Historical
• Geographical
• Political
• Religious
Most common surnames?
Germany
1. Müller2. Schmidt3. Schneider4. Fischer5. Meyer
United States
1. Smith2. Johnson3. Williams4. Brown5. Jones
Jones Distribution by Poor Law Union (about 12 parishes)
Problem: Colonial America immigrant
Where should I start searching in the mother country?
Most lived in Wales
Highest concentration in Glamorgan
Displayed by “Poor Law Union” the four family surnames converge in South Wales
A “Forename” search at the “Poor Law Union”Level shows scattered concentrations
The given name map relates to the surname maps
“…it has become increasingly obvious that an individual’s own research will often tell him far more about a surname than he can find in printed works.” ―George Redmonds
FORBEARS
http://forebears.co.uk/surnames
Type your name & select the match
1880 2014
WORLDNAMES
Coult
GUILD OF ONE-NAME STUDIES
Howes One-Name Study
Tom Sawyer approach to family history
FAMILYSEARCH WIKI
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG & WORLDCAT
Frequent updates & new information