Welcome to the Cortez Family page at Surname Finder, a service of Genealogy Today. Our editors have compiled this checklist of genealogical resources, combining links to commercial databases along with user-contributed information and web sites for the Cortez surname. As additional sources for vital records, original documents, vintage photographs and surname-based DNA projects are discovered, this page is updated to offer the best list for researching Cortez ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The Cortez Family Tree
It is important to remember that there is no single Cortez family tree, as last names were assigned to people for various reasons. We are often asked, How common it is for Cortez siblings to have the same first name? and you might be surprised at the answer.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering Cortez Ancestors
Cortez Genealogy
Many things can go wrong when a record collection is indexed. If you're having diffculty finding Cortez ancestors in a particular database at one site, try finding it on another and compare the results. If you want to know When were Cortez births first recorded in the United States?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Cortez
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 Cortez records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online Cortez family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the Cortez 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 Cortez surname. Were you aware that Cortez is considered a very common surname, which offers its own set of challenges? The article "Researching Common Names" 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.
Cortez DNA Projects
DNA testing for genealogy continues to improve. If you had some of your Cortez 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 Cortez research, read "Basics of DNA Family History Research".
Cortez Family History
There is more to exploring your Cortez ancestry than just gathering a bunch of names and dates. Understanding where your ancestors lived, how they were employed, and what they did for fun, may give you a better appreciation of your heritage. Whether you are a beginner or expert genealogists, knowing Where can I find a biography of my Cortez ancestor? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with Cortez Researchers
In doing genealogy research, we surely don't want to reinvent the wheel; in researching your Cortez surname, posting a message query can help you connect with distant cousins and others who may be working on the same lines, some of whom may have advanced the research or solved some of the hard problems, but are willing to share. The article "Are Your Queries Getting Results?" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Cortez queries.
You may also want to consider posting a query to the Community Message Boards at Genealogy Today to get assistance from other researchers on your most elusive Cortez ancestors.
Cortez Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that Cortez was the 481st most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with Cortez Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Cortez, 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
To recommend your web site/blog for inclusion on this page, please submit a link to the user-contributed directory at Genealogy Today. Your web page may appear once its content has been reviewed by our editors.
Upcoming Cortez Family Reunions
One key to a successful Cortez reunion is preparation, and for the family researcher that means getting the word out in advance on what to bring (such as the family photo collection); arranging for the display of shared information; and planning activities conducive to sharing; and one of the best ways to get others to participate is in bringing something of your own to share such a picture pedigree, compiled family history or biographical sketch, or even a copies of a treasured photo as a gift for each family -- you may even want to consider putting together a reunion newsletter in advance to be distributed at the reunion, asking for help in solving one or more specific family mysteries: you never know who might have insight they are willing to share, one-on-one. The article "Reunions: Beyond Aunt Pat's Rhubarb Pie and Aunt Edna's Wet Kisses" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Cortez reunion.
See Also
Surname Finder, The Cortez Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2021.
