Created by Julie Goucher using wordclouds.com March 2020
Those who frequent this blog would have likely known that N had to be for Names!
Our names are a way of highlighting us, as individuals, linking to our past both in terms of our people and our history.
There are many ways that people can be inspired to work on a surname project, or One-Name Study, here are a few reasons:
- Genealogical Brick wall
- Curiosity
- Adoption and an attempt to connect to biological ancestors (and perhaps relatives)
- Intriguing surname
- Family myths
- Connecting with a surname as part of a wider project researching an enslaved family
Whatever the reason, it is quite an interesting research undertaking, one that is a gentle stroll in a park rather than a sprint in a marathon. There are no rules especially, apart from responding to enquires from others who reach out to you.
Top Tips for Considering Surname Research
- Review your own ancestry or research, which surname are you most curious about and might want to work on as a One-Name Study?
- Having selected a possible surname, write down what you know about it, origins, people etc – you likely know more than you think!
- Surnames can be from anywhere in the world, not just British! There are more than 200 “foreign” or non-British surnames registered with the Guild of One-Name Studies.
- Explore the FREE worksheet (download HERE)
- Explore and Read the many, many posts written HERE
- Connect with like minding people – Join the Guild of One-Name Studies
- Undertake some learning to get on the “right track”, thus getting the best from your research time and experience.
- Read Art of a One-Name Study by Guild of One-Name Studies (published 2012)
- Read Surname Research Guide by Julie Goucher & Guild of One-Name Studies (published 2019)
- Take a Pharos course (or 3!) listed here in order of learning and taught by me!
- Read the Getting Started pages on the Guild Website
- To get the best results for your study, it should be without restrictions – across the globe and all dates – Otherwise, you might miss people from your study
- There are no restrictions to your work – you work at your pace
- If you have a surname related question send me a note and I will answer it, without publishing your name as part of my Q & A series
Taking part in the A-Z Challenge for 2020
Julie Goucher ~ Anglers Rest 
I wondered about one name studies… I should look into it.
I could do a one family study on an ancestor’s brother that had four wives and a boat load of children with each wife… descendants scattered all over the world! Haha.
No, I would do one with ancestors that are harder to find I think. Interesting! Thanks.
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A ONS is focused on the surname across a global scale, but it is a slow & steady process. What surname was this ancestor? Most members are prompted by a family connection.
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