Genealogy

Click HERE to print a Study Guide
 
 
First Things First 		Finding your roots...
1.  Look for naming patterns in your family.
2.  Behind the Name  
     (Index of first name history and meanings.) 
Yes Sir!  (or Surnames/Last Names)
1.   What type of surname do you have? 
Patronymic Names you as the son or daughter of a forefather.
Metronymics  Names you as the  son or daughter of foremother.
Locative Names the place your ancestors came from by either place name (toponymic) or geographical feature (topographical).
Nickname Describes a physical or character trait of an ancestor.
Occupation or Status Describes job or social/economic status of an ancestor
2.  What is the cultural/country origin of your surname?  Origins and Meanings of Last Names 
3.  What does your surname mean? 
4.  Where did people with this last name live?  Surname Distribution Index  
Noble intentions:  Family heraldry, mottos and more!
1.  LastName.com  (breif description of coat of arms, crest, motto, early history)
James Wolf Heraldry (View Free Sample)
Irish Coat of Arms (View Free Sample)
2.  Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry  Will help you understand the description.
Really into this?  Check out:  Heraldry on the Internet

Branching out...
Genealogy Projects
Minnesota GenWeb Wisconsin GenWeb  Michigan GenWeb
Iowa GenWeb US GenWeb Illinois GenWeb
 Immigration Records
American Immigrant Wall of Honor  
Search for ancestors who may have entered the US through Ellis Island.
Norway Emigrant Lists
Available through Norwegian sources, use the right hand side.
US Immigration and Citizenship Service Resources
Find immigration and naturalization records, ships passenger lists and more!
More Online Genealogy Resources
Wisconsin Genealogy Resources Online
Includes Military Records and lots more1)
 RootsWeb 
Search the FREE Rootsweb side of the site.  The ancestry.com searches cost money!
Genealogy Forms and Charts
 Links to lots of charts and worksheets to use in your research.
4-Parent Genealogical Chart  
A printable wheel chart that allows you to search by four seperate parents (birth, adoptive, step, foster).

Exploring history...

American History

State History
Local History

Timelines

Today in History (Library of Congress)
 This site from the Library of Congress shows exhibits what happened on this very day in history.
This Day in History (History Channel)
 This site from the History Channel allows you to choose a day in  history to view.
AlternaTimelines 
A huge list of timelines based on region, topic and more!
Who, What, When:  Interactive Historic Timelines
 Search by month, day and year.  A heavily used site.  Try this one during slow times!
Historical Timelines
 Use this site to explore world history, world leaders, world wars, world religion, and inventions.