Welcome to the Callaghan 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 Callaghan 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 Callaghan ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The Callaghan Family Tree
It is important to remember that there is no single Callaghan family tree, as last names were assigned to people for various reasons. We are often asked, How common it is for Callaghan siblings to have the same first name? and you might be surprised at the answer.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering Callaghan Ancestors
Callaghan Genealogy
Keep an open mind when searching through Callaghan records. Years ago many people were unable to read and write, thus a given ancestor's name could be spelled in a variety of ways depending on who recorded it. If you want to know How can city directories be used to help my Callaghan research?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Callaghan
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 Callaghan records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online Callaghan family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the Callaghan Surname
It is quite possible for two people with the Callaghan last name to have been given that surname for entirely different reasons. Discovering the country from which your Callaghan ancestors originated can often yield additional clues for the meaning of the surname. Keep in mind that it was not unusual for a last name to be altered as an ancestor entered a new country.
Callaghan DNA Projects
While DNA testing cannot conclusively tell you if two Callaghan 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 Callaghan research, read "When do you use DNA?".
Callaghan Family History
There is more to exploring your Callaghan 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 How can I decipher the handwriting in old Callaghan documents? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with Callaghan Researchers
In doing genealogy research, we surely don't want to reinvent the wheel; in researching your Callaghan 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 "Looking for John Smith - Focusing a Query" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Callaghan 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 Callaghan ancestors.
Callaghan Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that Callaghan was the 4560th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with Callaghan Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Callaghan, 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.
Recently Discovered CALLAGHAN Clippings and Mentions
Upcoming Callaghan Family Reunions
One key to a successful Callaghan 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 "Planning Details For A Family Reunion" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Callaghan reunion.
See Also
Calaghan Callagan Callaghane Callagha O'Callaghan
Surname Finder, The Callaghan Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.
