Welcome to the Opal Family page at Surname Finder. Our editors have compiled this checklist of genealogical resources, combining links to commercial databases along with user-contributed information and web sites for the Opal surname. As vital records, original documents, vintage photographs and surname-based DNA projects are discovered, this page is updated to offer the best list for researching Opal genealogy.
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I. The Opal Family TreeEveryone has different reasons for building a family tree; your personal motiviation will influence whether the Opal family tree has more depth or breadth. Have you struck a Opal brick wall? Read "Know Where to Begin Your Genealogical Search" for some helpful advice.
II. Opal GenealogySometimes two people can look at the same handwritten record, and come up with different spellings of the name. Be creative when searching for your Opal ancestors -- we often search for misspellings intentionally to see if we missed any records. If you want to know Where can I find naturalization records for my Opal ancestors?, then read this frequently asked question.
Census records are among the most useful records available for family tree building.
There are currently Death RecordsMilitary RecordsIII. Origins of the Opal SurnameThere are no clear, concise answers to why or how one of your Opal ancestors took on the surname. It may have been based on their occupation or a distinguising physical trait. Keep in mind that it was not unusual for a last name to be altered as an ancestor entered a new country. IV. Opal DNA ProjectsWhile DNA testing cannot conclusively tell you if two Opal 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 Opal research, read "When do you use DNA?".
V. Opal Family HistoryEvery family has a different history, and every document you discover about your Opal ancestors will help paint a picture that can be shared with your relatives. Whether you are a beginner or expert genealogists, knowing How do I find my Opal family history on the Internet? is always useful.
Photo CollectionsVI. Networking with Opal ResearchersIn the course of genealogy research, collaboration is key -- we really cannot do it alone, and one of the great benefits of participating in community message boards is building relationships that not only enlightens our research but strengthens bonds across the miles. The article "The Art of Posting Queries" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Opal 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 Opal ancestors. VII. Opal Achievements & CelebritiesDid you know that Opal was the 39686th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
VIII. Web Sites & Blogs with Opal ResearchIf you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Opal, 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
To have your web site/blog listed on this page, please submit a link to the user-contributed directory at Genealogy Today. Your web page will appear once its content has been reviewed by one of our editors. IX. Upcoming Opal Family ReunionsWhenever possible, consider holding the family reunion in place where you have a strong Opal family history, which provides opportunities to share stories and visit cemeteries or old home sites; you may even want to consider as a one-day activity, having each family take on the task of gathering information from the local courthouse, school district, public library, etc. -- this, of course, requires advance planning and assignment, but could generate considerable interest and results. The article "A Great Way to Unite a Newly-Found Family" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Opal reunion.
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Suggested use: Print a copy of this free research checklist, and keep track of the Opal genealogy resources that you visit. If your web browser does not print the date on the bottom, remember to record it manually. Today is 18/May/2013.
If you host the Opal blog or web page, please link to this surname-focused resource. Here's the HTML code for a basic link. Simply cut/paste this code on to your page.
