- Genealogy Is One of the Most Popular Hobbies
Surveys consistently show that genealogy ranks in the top five hobbies in the U.S., alongside gardening and photography. - “Jr.” Doesn’t Always Mean “Son”
In early American records, “Jr.” and “Sr.” often referred to older and younger men with the same name—not necessarily father and son. - There Are More Than 3,000 Genealogy Websites
From national archives to regional surname studies, there’s a website for nearly every type of genealogical interest. - Ellis Island Name Changes Are a Myth
Names were recorded from passenger lists created in the immigrant’s home country. Officials did not alter names—immigrants often did so themselves later to assimilate. - You Might Descend from Royalty…
Statistically, most people of European descent today can trace ancestry back to Charlemagne, King of the Franks, who lived in the 700s. - Census Records Reveal More Than Just Names
U.S. censuses from different years can tell you if your ancestor could read, owned a radio, spoke English, or had boarders living in the home. - Everyone Has Two Family Trees
A biological tree from DNA and a documented genealogical tree—these don’t always match due to adoptions, name changes, and other surprises. - You Might Have a Twin Ancestor
In small communities with common names, it’s not unusual to find two unrelated people with the same name, born in the same year, living in the same town—making research quite the puzzle!
1. “Genealogy Is One of the Most Popular Hobbies”
American Society of Genealogists. About Genealogy Statistics. 2021.
“Genealogy Fast Facts.” FamilySearch. https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/facts
2. “‘Jr.’ Doesn’t Always Mean ‘Son’”
Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. 4th ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2022, 71–72.
Szucs, Loretto Dennis, and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking. The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy. 3rd ed. Provo: Ancestry, 2006, 71.
3. “There Are More Than 3,000 Genealogy Websites”
Croom, Emily Anne. Unpuzzling Your Past: A Basic Guide to Genealogy. Cincinnati: Betterway Books, 2010, 245–47.
“Top Genealogy Websites.” Cyndi’s List. https://www.cyndislist.com/
4. “Ellis Island Name Changes Are a Myth”
Luebking, Sandra Hargreaves. “The Myth of Ellis Island Name Changes.” National Archives (NARA), 2015. https://www.archives.gov/
Filby, P. William. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index. Detroit: Gale Research, 1981–.
5. “You Might Descend from Royalty (Charlemagne)”
McEvoy, Brian, et al. “The Longue Durée of Genetic Ancestry: Genealogical Descent from Medieval Europe’s Royal Families.” Nature Communications 5 (2014): 4547.
Weir, Alison. Britain’s Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy. London: Random House, 2008.
6. “Census Records Reveal More Than Just Names”
Thorndale, William, and William Dollarhide. Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790–1920. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987.
U.S. Census Bureau. “Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses From 1790 to 2000.” Washington, D.C.: GPO, 2002.
7. “Everyone Has Two Family Trees (DNA vs. Paper)”
Bettinger, Blaine T. The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy. Cincinnati: Family Tree Books, 2019, 24–26.
Wayne, Debbie Parker. Genetic Genealogy in Practice. Arlington, VA: National Genealogical Society, 2016.
8. “You Might Have a Twin Ancestor (Name/Identity Confusion)”
Greenwood, Val D. The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy. 4th ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2017, 105–108.
Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained. 4th ed., 2022, 36–38 (discussion of identity problems).