How to Locate Your Surname and Its History

Ever wonder how you last name came about? Tracing the origin of your surname can be fun, exciting and sometimes a bit costly. Below are some ways to go back in history and find out more about the origin of your surname.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Access
• Basic Searching Knowledge
• Computer

1. The first step in tracing the origin of your surname is questions, questions, questions. Ask your mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Most likely, they will have all the information you need to get started. This is a must do step because some people's last names have been shortened through the years. (Example: if you last name is Ott or Stu, it could have been much longer when it first originated.)

2. Step two in tracing the origin of your surname is checking out a Family History Library. With the age of the internet in full swing, it may be tough to find one near you. If you can not locate one in your area, you can visit the Family History Library website for more information. (See below for links)You will get some information for free but for the whole bundle of information, you will have to pay.

3. The next step in tracing the origin of your surname is hitting the numerous commercial websites that offer surname history. There are plenty of websites out there that have ample amounts of information on surnames. I found this out a few weeks back when I was tracing the origin of my surname. Some sites will give limited information for free but chances are if you want all the information available, you will have to pay. I have ranked the sites from best to worst based on by dealings when I was tracing the origin of my surname.

4. Make sure to check out the links below for more resources and places to search online.

Resources

• Ancestry.com
• Roots Web
• Ted Pack.org
• Family History Library

[cherylphillips]

on 7/18/2009 excellent! I had great luck with Ancestry.com 5*****