Top 10 Genealogy Mistakes to Avoid

If you stick with a single name or spelling when searching for an ancestor, you're probably missing out on a lot of good stuff. Your ancestor may have gone by several different names during his lifetime, and it's also likely you'll find him listed under different spellings as well. Always search for variations of your ancestor's name - the more that you can think of, the better. You will find that both first names and surnames are commonly misspelled in official records. People were not as well-educated in the past as they are today, and sometimes a name on a document was written as it sounded (phonetically), or perhaps was simply misspelled by accident. In other cases, an individual may have changed the spelling of his/her surname more formally to adapt to a new culture, to sound more elegant, or to be easier to remember. Researching the origins of your surname may clue you into common spellings. Surname distribution studies can also be helpful in narrowing down the most frequently used version of your surname. Searchable computerized genealogy databases are another good avenue for research as they often offer a "search for variations" or soundex search option. Be sure to try all alternate name variations as well - including middle names, nicknames, married names and maiden names.