Make the most of your research time, by knowing exactly what surnames to research and where. This Webinar Short introduces a spreadsheet tool to help you keep track of surnames.
Make the most of your research time, by knowing exactly what surnames to research and where. This Webinar Short introduces a spreadsheet tool to help you keep track of surnames.
Why can’t I find it? Locating surnames in online databases
Have you ever failed to find a surname in an online database search? Or have you been frustrated at having to undertake multiple searches to find surname variants, and have wondered why such obvious variants are not “grouped” together? Or perhaps you’ve wondered if you’ve missed entries because you don’t understand how these search engines do in fact “group” surnames. Surnames are like the other half of the DNA double helix. It’s all very well if we discover a DNA connection, but if we can’t link the two families together because we can’t find the relevant entries for our ancestors, much of our time and money is wasted. This webinar explains how online databases approach surname spellings, allowing us to maximise our use of their powerful search engines.
Have you ever failed to find a surname in an online database search? Or have you been frustrated at having to undertake multiple searches to find surname variants, and have wondered why such obvious variants are not “grouped” together? Or perhaps you’ve wondered if you’ve missed entries because you don’t understand how these search engines do in fact “group” surnames. Surnames are like the other half of the DNA double helix. It’s all very well if we discover a DNA connection, but if we can’t link the two families together because we can’t find the relevant entries for our ancestors, much of our time and money is wasted. This webinar explains how online databases approach surname spellings, allowing us to maximise our use of their powerful search engines.
The use of surnames dates back only to the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century. Almost all 9th and 10th century records show only one name for individuals. A pattern began to emerge in the late 12th century with regard to references to manors, estates and monasteries. This presentation will show, through examples from many types of documents produced during the medieval period, how the Little Ice Age climatic downturn impacted living conditions and imposed what would have been a major impetus to identify people. The use of a surname became the favoured and logical method to do so.
The use of surnames dates back only to the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century. Almost all 9th and 10th century records show only one name for individuals. A pattern began to emerge in the late 12th century with regard to references to manors, estates and monasteries. This presentation will show, through examples from many types of documents produced during the medieval period, how the Little Ice Age climatic downturn impacted living conditions and imposed what would have been a major impetus to identify people. The use of a surname became the favoured and logical method to do so.
What’s That Name? Tips for Finding Nicknames, Spelling Variants and Mangled Surnames
Names are a genealogist’s bread and butter. But how do you find your ancestors when they didn’t “go by” their proper names, or clerks mangled their names in the records or the transcriber couldn’t read the enumerator’s handwriting? These tips might help!
Names are a genealogist’s bread and butter. But how do you find your ancestors when they didn’t “go by” their proper names, or clerks mangled their names in the records or the transcriber couldn’t read the enumerator’s handwriting? These tips might help!
If you have already worked out that ‘Mc’ and ‘Mac’ surnames are the most complicated British surnames, you must listen to this webinar. And if you haven’t already worked this out, you must absolutely listen to this webinar. ‘Mc’ surnames are double the trouble because they can suffer distortions at the beginning, middle and end of the ‘Mc’ prefix as well as at the beginning, middle and end of the rest of the surname, the root word. Sound glides are a particular problem, in which the ‘k’ sound at the end of the ‘Mc’ prefix distorts the first letter of the root word (e.g. McCue/McKew/McHugh, McLachlan/McGloughlan). Transcription errors can also produce a non-‘Mc’ surname (e.g. Mackever/Markever) which can prove a trap for the unwary. This seminar will help you keep you sane when you encounter the complexities of these mad Scottish-origin surnames.
If you have already worked out that ‘Mc’ and ‘Mac’ surnames are the most complicated British surnames, you must listen to this webinar. And if you haven’t already worked this out, you must absolutely listen to this webinar. ‘Mc’ surnames are double the trouble because they can suffer distortions at the beginning, middle and end of the ‘Mc’ prefix as well as at the beginning, middle and end of the rest of the surname, the root word. Sound glides are a particular problem, in which the ‘k’ sound at the end of the ‘Mc’ prefix distorts the first letter of the root word (e.g. McCue/McKew/McHugh, McLachlan/McGloughlan). Transcription errors can also produce a non-‘Mc’ surname (e.g. Mackever/Markever) which can prove a trap for the unwary. This seminar will help you keep you sane when you encounter the complexities of these mad Scottish-origin surnames.
Lesser Known Sources for Surname Searching in Australia
This webinar was presented live during the 2022 Surname Society annual conference.
This presentation looks at genealogy indexes created by societies and other volunteers in all the Australian states and territories. The focus will be online indexes searchable by non-members. While useful information may be hidden behind society paywalls, there are still many sites that can be searched for surname references.
This webinar was presented live during the 2022 Surname Society annual conference.
This presentation looks at genealogy indexes created by societies and other volunteers in all the Australian states and territories. The focus will be online indexes searchable by non-members. While useful information may be hidden behind society paywalls, there are still many sites that can be searched for surname references.
Should I worry if I don't see my surname listed in my DNA matches?
If you've taken a Y-DNA test you'll be looking closely at the surnames in your DNA match list. What if the surname matches don't match your own surname? Diahan Southard explains why that happens and suggests three steps you should take.
If you've taken a Y-DNA test you'll be looking closely at the surnames in your DNA match list. What if the surname matches don't match your own surname? Diahan Southard explains why that happens and suggests three steps you should take.
It is a truth universally acknowledgement that if we can't find our ancestor's surname, our chances of tracing that ancestral line are pretty much zip, zero, zilch. But a known surname can also prove elusive because it is recorded in such a way that we cannot locate it. This too…
It is a truth universally acknowledgement that if we can't find our ancestor's surname, our chances of tracing that ancestral line are pretty much zip, zero, zilch. But a known surname can also prove elusive because it is recorded in such a way that we cannot locate it. This too…
This presentation will demonstrate how to do surname searches effectively in the various Australian state and territory archives as well as the National Archives of Australia.
This presentation will demonstrate how to do surname searches effectively in the various Australian state and territory archives as well as the National Archives of Australia.
Why create a surname project or name study? Whether it’s to help you solve a family mystery or just to answer the questions of how, we will look at how surname projects and DNA projects can be worked to answer most of your genealogy questions. From discovering NPE’s (non-parental events)…
Why create a surname project or name study? Whether it’s to help you solve a family mystery or just to answer the questions of how, we will look at how surname projects and DNA projects can be worked to answer most of your genealogy questions. From discovering NPE’s (non-parental events)…
What's in a Surname: The History of Surnames and How They Help in Family History Research
Discover the top 10 surnames, their meaning, idiomatic structure, cognates, and geographical frequency. The list comprises the following surnames: Smith, Jones, Williams, Taylor, Davies, Brown, Wilson, Evans, Thomas, and Johnson.
Discover the top 10 surnames, their meaning, idiomatic structure, cognates, and geographical frequency. The list comprises the following surnames: Smith, Jones, Williams, Taylor, Davies, Brown, Wilson, Evans, Thomas, and Johnson.
Discovering Your Irish Roots: Uncover Hidden Stories and Sources with MyHeritage
Tue, July 8 2025: 18:00 UTC
Are your ancestors from the Emerald Isle? Whether your Irish roots are well-known or just a whisper in your family tree, this exciting webinar will show you how to trace them using MyHeritage’s rich and ever-growing collection of Irish records. Join Lorna Moloney, genealogy expert, for a deep dive into newly updated databases, rare historical collections, and clever research tips tailored for Ireland. From birth and marriage records to immigration files, land, directories and newspaper archives, you’ll learn how to unearth family stories you never knew existed. Whether you’re a genealogy beginner or a seasoned sleuth, this session is packed with lively insights, real examples, and expert guidance to bring your Irish heritage to life.
Are your ancestors from the Emerald Isle? Whether your Irish roots are well-known or just a whisper in your family tree, this exciting webinar will show you how to trace them using MyHeritage’s rich and ever-growing collection of Irish records. Join Lorna Moloney, genealogy expert, for a deep dive into newly updated databases, rare historical collections, and clever research tips tailored for Ireland. From birth and marriage records to immigration files, land, directories and newspaper archives, you’ll learn how to unearth family stories you never knew existed. Whether you’re a genealogy beginner or a seasoned sleuth, this session is packed with lively insights, real examples, and expert guidance to bring your Irish heritage to life.
Forgotten Records: Pension Ledgers and the Payments they Represent
Thu, July 10 2025: 0:00 UTC
Few people take the time to look at the pension payment process and the records that are created. Records may contain information about movement, kin, and primary sources for dates of death.
Few people take the time to look at the pension payment process and the records that are created. Records may contain information about movement, kin, and primary sources for dates of death.
Often viewed as a rural retreat for London residents, Surrey presents unique challenges for genealogical research due to its shifting boundaries over the 19th and 20th centuries. This talk will help you build a solid foundation for exploring your Surrey roots with confidence, guiding you through the complexities of tracing your Surrey ancestry, offering strategies to streamline your research journey. Learn about the essential archives and genealogical sources available, both online and in-person, and gain insights into where to find support from local Family History Societies.
Often viewed as a rural retreat for London residents, Surrey presents unique challenges for genealogical research due to its shifting boundaries over the 19th and 20th centuries. This talk will help you build a solid foundation for exploring your Surrey roots with confidence, guiding you through the complexities of tracing your Surrey ancestry, offering strategies to streamline your research journey. Learn about the essential archives and genealogical sources available, both online and in-person, and gain insights into where to find support from local Family History Societies.
Civil War Records: What is a Reasonably Exhaustive Search?
Wed, July 16 2025: 0:00 UTC
To correlate evidence, you must have evidence to correlate. Typical researchers stop too soon in their evidence collection, believing they have found all there is to find about a soldier. There is more to military research than the compiled military service record or the pension application file. A reasonably exhaustive search is not limited to the two or three typical record sources.
To correlate evidence, you must have evidence to correlate. Typical researchers stop too soon in their evidence collection, believing they have found all there is to find about a soldier. There is more to military research than the compiled military service record or the pension application file. A reasonably exhaustive search is not limited to the two or three typical record sources.
Researching Scots ancestors before civil registration in 1855 can be challenging! Learn about some of the rich alternative sources you can mine when looking for your earlier forebears, like tax records, directories, newspapers, and more – where to find them, and how to make the most of them.
Researching Scots ancestors before civil registration in 1855 can be challenging! Learn about some of the rich alternative sources you can mine when looking for your earlier forebears, like tax records, directories, newspapers, and more – where to find them, and how to make the most of them.
Strategies for Sorting Out and Documenting Mexican Names and Families
Fri, July 18 2025: 18:00 UTC
This presentation demonstrates methods and tools for tackling two common predicaments when researching families of Mexican origin. First, distinguishing between people with the same names, living in the same place, at the same. And second, determining which compound given names and compound surnames to record in your source citations, online trees, and family narratives.
This presentation demonstrates methods and tools for tackling two common predicaments when researching families of Mexican origin. First, distinguishing between people with the same names, living in the same place, at the same. And second, determining which compound given names and compound surnames to record in your source citations, online trees, and family narratives.
This space is reserved for an exciting and interesting MyHeritage webinar. Here you will learn about the latest features, records, and characteristics developed by the MyHeritage team to help you find who you are, and amaze you with great discoveries.
This space is reserved for an exciting and interesting MyHeritage webinar. Here you will learn about the latest features, records, and characteristics developed by the MyHeritage team to help you find who you are, and amaze you with great discoveries.
Entries in late 19th and early 20th century immigrant passenger manifests often include cryptic number and letter codes. Most genealogists simply look past them. Learn how to interpret these codes and what significant details they can reveal about your ancestor’s immigration and naturalization experience. Discover additional information about aliens who were detained or deported. This presentation is heavily illustrated with examples from New York and Philadelphia alien passenger lists and the handout includes a glossary of the terms, codes, and abbreviations found on these manifests.
Entries in late 19th and early 20th century immigrant passenger manifests often include cryptic number and letter codes. Most genealogists simply look past them. Learn how to interpret these codes and what significant details they can reveal about your ancestor’s immigration and naturalization experience. Discover additional information about aliens who were detained or deported. This presentation is heavily illustrated with examples from New York and Philadelphia alien passenger lists and the handout includes a glossary of the terms, codes, and abbreviations found on these manifests.
Building on our previous exploration of AI in genealogy, this webinar showcases more advanced techniques for harnessing AI’s power in family history. We’ll cover sophisticated methods for data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling, showing you how to take your family history research to the next level. You’ll also learn about cutting-edge AI tools and how to apply them to uncover hidden connections and insights within your family tree. Ideal for those who are already familiar with basic AI applications, this session will expand your toolkit with innovative approaches to family history research.
Building on our previous exploration of AI in genealogy, this webinar showcases more advanced techniques for harnessing AI’s power in family history. We’ll cover sophisticated methods for data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling, showing you how to take your family history research to the next level. You’ll also learn about cutting-edge AI tools and how to apply them to uncover hidden connections and insights within your family tree. Ideal for those who are already familiar with basic AI applications, this session will expand your toolkit with innovative approaches to family history research.
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