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