Several of my ancestors have surnames that change over time. There are a few methods that can be employed to find records of the variant spellings of surnames.
research Blog Posts
Free
There is no shortage of free genealogy research materials to be found online, and offline. You just need to look or ask.
Conflict
Genealogical research conflicts are inevitable. I’ve discovered a conflict with my Skaggs lineage that eludes resolution.
Cousin Bait
I have posted old family photos, transcribed documents, and blog posts online with surname tags in order to attract cousins. Among genealogists, this is known as “Cousin Bait.”
Brick Wall
We all have a brick wall, that ancestor who defies all research. Thirteen of 64 of my 4th great-grandparents are brick walls. Can you help with breaking them down?
Fortune
While collecting sources for an ancestor, I found strong contradictory evidence against her being my ancestor. What good fortune this prompt came along! It has led me to find this misinformation and correct the record.
Multiples
Do you ever wonder why some families have multiple sons, while others have multiple daughters? I do. My curiosity led me to research describing a likely genetic explanation.
Family Legend
Take a favorite family legend and find the records needed to validate the story. I share my successes and tips for doing research.
Beginnings
I have been interested in family history since my paternal grandmother, Pearl Osborne LaFara, shared her research with me when I was a child.
John Rogers: 12
52 Ancestors, in 52 Weeks – Week 12: Twelve
John Rogers is one of my 12th great grandparents, of which we all have 16,384. What made him remarkable enough to leave a record 450 years after his death? I admit my shock to discover an ancestor with the moniker “The Martyr”