The Brooks Genealogy and Family Tree Page

The Brooks Family Tree

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

Best Tree Collections for Discovering Brooks Ancestors

Brooks 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 Brooks ancestors -- we often search for misspellings intentionally to see if we missed any records. If you want to know Why can't I find Brooks my ancestor in the SSDI?, then read this frequently asked question.

Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Brooks

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

Death Records

Military Records

Origins of the Brooks Surname

It is quite possible for two people with the Brooks last name to have been given that surname for entirely different reasons. Discovering the country from which your Brooks ancestors originated can often yield additional clues for the meaning of the surname. Were you aware that Brooks 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.

According to An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names [page 83], the surname BROOKS is defined as Local. Brooks, Becks, and Rundels are names for small rivers.

Brooks DNA Projects

While DNA testing cannot conclusively tell you if two Brooks 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 Brooks research, read "DNA Research and Your Family's History".

Brooks 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 Brooks 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 "Finding The Family History" may help you think of some different tactics to compiling your Brooks family history.

Photo Collections

Networking with Brooks 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 Brooks queries.

Brooks Achievements & Celebrities

Did you know that Brooks was the 73rd most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?

Web Sites & Blogs with Brooks Research

If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Brooks, 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

Upcoming Brooks 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 Brooks 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 Brooks reunion.

See Also

Broocks   Brookso   Brook   Brooc   Broock   Brouk   Bruk   Braak   Brooke   Brooki   Brooko   Rooks