Definition: FAN stands for Friends, Associates, and Neighbors. This research strategy involves studying the people who lived near, worked with, or were connected to your ancestors to find clues about their lives and movements.

Example: If your ancestor John Smith disappeared from records in 1870, you might research his neighbors and friends from the 1860 census to trace where he moved or what happened to him.

Definition: GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) is a standardized file format used to exchange genealogical data between different genealogy software programs and websites.

Example: You can export your family tree from Ancestry as a GEDCOM file and import it into FamilySearch, MyTrees, or your personal genealogy software.

Definition: DNA matches are people who share DNA segments with you, identified through DNA testing. These matches can help you find relatives and build your family tree.

Example: After taking a DNA test with Ancestry, you discover a second cousin match who shares 515 centiMorgans of DNA with you, helping you connect a previously unknown branch of your family.

Definition: A brick wall is a point in your research where you cannot find any records or information about an ancestor, preventing you from extending your family tree further back.

Example: You've traced your family back to your great-grandfather, but you can't find any records about his parents or origins—you've hit a brick wall.

Definition: The study of a family name's origins, distribution, and history. Surname research helps you understand where your family name came from and how it spread geographically.

Example: Researching the surname "Smith" reveals that it originated in England as an occupational name for blacksmiths, and you can find clusters of Smiths in specific regions during particular time periods.

Definition: Primary sources are original documents created at the time of an event (birth certificates, diaries). Secondary sources are created later, referencing primary sources (family histories, biographies).

Example: A birth certificate from 1890 is a primary source. A family history book written in 2010 about your ancestor is a secondary source.

Definition: Court documents related to the settlement of an estate after someone dies. Probate records often include wills, inventories, and information about heirs and beneficiaries.

Example: Your ancestor's will from 1925 lists all their children by name, their spouses, and what they inherited—invaluable information for building your family tree.

Definition: The surname a woman had before marriage. Finding maiden names is crucial for genealogy research, as women typically changed surnames when they married.

Example: Your grandmother's maiden name was Johnson before she married and became Mrs. Williams. Knowing her maiden name helps you research her parents and siblings.

Definition: The legal process by which an immigrant becomes a citizen of a new country. Naturalization records document when and where ancestors became citizens.

Example: Your great-grandfather's naturalization papers from 1920 show he immigrated from Italy in 1905 and became a U.S. citizen 15 years later.