The Burns Family Tree and Genealogy

I. The Burns Family Tree

It is important to remember that there is no single Burns 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 Burns ancestor? and you might be surprised at the answer.

Best Tree Collections for Discovering Burns Ancestors

II. Burns 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 Burns ancestors -- we often search for misspellings intentionally to see if we missed any records. Genealogy is more than just searching through databases. Articles like "Digital Books and Microfilm" can help accelerate your Burns research.

Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Burns

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 Burns records at Ancestry.com! Start exploring this online Burns family history resource today.

Death Records

Military Records

III. Origins of the Burns Surname

While some countries have limited historical records for last name assignments, you are most likely to only find general guidance on the origin and meaning of the Burns surname. Were you aware that Burns 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 87], the surname BURNS is defined as Local. A burn, in Scotland, is a small stream, the same as Bourne. Biorn, in the Danish and Swedish, signifies a bear, figuratively, a ferocious, valiant man.

IV. Burns DNA Projects

While DNA testing cannot conclusively tell you if two Burns ancestors were related, it can easily prove if they weren't. Be sure you understand what types of research issues each different DNA test can address before you spend any money. If you're not sure how DNA testing could aid your Burns research, read "Basics of DNA Family History Research".

V. Burns Family History

Every family has a different history, and every document you discover about your Burns ancestors will help paint a picture that can be shared with your relatives. Our team of seasoned experts are here to help you learn about different aspects of genealogy. Reading "Faddish First Names" may help you think of some different tactics to compiling your Burns family history.

Photo Collections

VI. Networking with Burns 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 "Are Your Queries Getting Results?" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Burns queries.

VII. Burns Achievements & Celebrities

VIII. Web Sites & Blogs with Burns Research

If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Burns, 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 Burns 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 Burns 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 "Reunions: Beyond Aunt Pat's Rhubarb Pie and Aunt Edna's Wet Kisses" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Burns reunion.

Source:
Surname Finder, Burns Surname Checklist [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 1998-2014.