The Brown Family Tree and Genealogy

I. The Brown Family Tree

It is important to remember that there is no single Brown family tree, as last names were assigned to people for various reasons. We are often asked, How can I find the second married name of a female Brown ancestor? and you might be surprised at the answer.

Best Tree Collections for Discovering Brown Ancestors

II. Brown Genealogy

Sometimes two people can look at the same handwritten record, and come up with different spellings of the name. Be creative when searching for your Brown ancestors -- we often search for misspellings intentionally to see if we missed any records. If you want to know Why can't I find Brown my ancestor in the SSDI?, then read this frequently asked question.

Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Brown

Vital records are essential for family history research because they were typically created at or near the time of the event, making the record more reliable. There are currently matching Brown records at Ancestry.com! Start exploring this online Brown family history resource today.

Death Records

Military Records

III. Origins of the Brown Surname

It is quite possible for two people with the Brown last name to have been given that surname for entirely different reasons. Discovering the country from which your Brown ancestors originated can often yield additional clues for the meaning of the surname. Were you aware that Brown is a common Irish surname? The article "The Luck of the Irish Research" may be helpful for your research. Keep in mind that it was not unusual for a last name to be altered as an ancestor entered a new country.

According to An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names [page 83], the surname BROWN is defined as A name derived from complexion, color of hair or garments, consequently, a very common name.

IV. Brown DNA Projects

DNA testing for genealogy continues to improve. If you had some of your Brown relatives tested several years ago, it may be worthwhile to have them retested. Likewise, as DNA testing companies have gathered more results and samples, you may be able to find more matches if you search again with your test results. If you're not sure how DNA testing could aid your Brown research, read "Utilizing DNA in Family History Research".

V. Brown Family History

For most people, just about every aspect of their life has been influenced in some way by their ancestors. Look beyond the names and dates to understand how and why your Brown ancestors lived and strived to make a better life for their descendants. Our team of seasoned experts are here to help you learn about different aspects of genealogy. Reading "The Role Of History In Genealogical Research" may help you think of some different tactics to compiling your Brown family history.

Photo Collections

VI. Networking with Brown Researchers

When you've come up against a brick wall in your genealogy research, posting a message board query can help; one of the biggest benefits is that message board queries are accessed through search engines, which means even someone not specifically engaged in genealogy but interested in your subject may find your query and bring valuable new information to the table -- it happens! The article "Looking for John Smith - Focusing a Query" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Brown queries.

VII. Brown Achievements & Celebrities

VIII. Web Sites & Blogs with Brown Research

If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Brown, contact the folks at ProGenealogists for a free research estimate. You may also find it helpful to read, "When, Why and How to Hire a Professional Genealogist."

RootsWeb search of US Naturalization Records
RootsWeb search of Obituary Daily Times
RootsWeb search of Social Security Death Index

IX. Upcoming Brown Family Reunions

Notifying everyone in advance to bring old photos and documents can bring big rewards, making a special place at the reunion (maybe even a special Brown booth) where people can come at their leisure to sit, look and chat; in addition to information and clues that might be written on the back of a photo, every photograph has a story and serves as an excellent stimulus to recall -- people might comment not only on the people in the photo, but also on what's in the background, or they might have information around where the photo was taken or the event -- just be sure to have someone there to capture new information. The article "Family Reunions Don't Always Turn Out as one has Pictured" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Brown reunion.

Source:
Surname Finder, Brown Surname Checklist [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 1998-2013.