Surnames Genealogy Cheat Sheet

You'll love this if:

• You want to know where your family's last name comes from
• You've ever had trouble finding your ancestor's maiden name
• You want solutions for finding common names in records and genealogy websites

The Cheat Sheet contains:

• a roundup of common origins for surnames and surname meanings
• tips for researching common names
• tips for researching maiden names, including a list of genealogy records likely to include them
• expert guidance on surname-related myths, such as family crests and the "Ellis Island myth" of immigrant name-change
• a tutorial for searching by surname on genealogy websites, including notes on "match exactly" search features and the Soundex system
• notes on what DNA tests can (and can't) tell you about ancestral surnames, plus information on using Y-DNA for surname research
• a summary of shared surname tools offered by major DNA testing companies
• a quick guide to surname origin maps
• a typable Surname Variant Chart for recording spelling variations of your ancestor's name
• links to resources for more surname research, include books and websites for researching names from specific ethnicities

The Surnames Genealogy Cheat Sheet comes in a portable PDF you can load up on your iPad, tablet or laptop for on-site research, as well as print out to keep on your desk or in your research binder for easy reference.