Welcome to the Collins 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 Collins 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 Collins ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
Completed by on
The Collins Family Tree
It is important to remember that there is no single Collins family tree, as last names were assigned to people for various reasons. We are often asked, How common it is for Collins siblings to have the same first name? and you might be surprised at the answer.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering Collins Ancestors
Collins Genealogy
Many things can go wrong when a record collection is indexed. If you're having diffculty finding Collins ancestors in a particular database at one site, try finding it on another and compare the results. If you want to know When were Collins births first recorded in the United States?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Collins
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 Collins records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online Collins family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the Collins Surname
It is quite possible for two people with the Collins last name to have been given that surname for entirely different reasons. Discovering the country from which your Collins ancestors originated can often yield additional clues for the meaning of the surname. Were you aware that Collins 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.
Collins DNA Projects
While DNA testing cannot conclusively tell you if two Collins 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 Collins research, read "When do you use DNA?".
Collins 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 Collins 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 "Our Ancestors Paid Taxes" may help you think of some different tactics to compiling your Collins family history.
Photo Collections
Networking with Collins Researchers
In doing genealogy research, we surely don't want to reinvent the wheel; in researching your Collins 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 Collins 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 Collins ancestors.
Collins Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that Collins was the 50th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with Collins Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Collins, 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 COLLINS Clippings and Mentions
Upcoming Collins Family Reunions
One key to a successful Collins 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 Collins reunion.
See Also
Colins Collens Callins Collinso Collin Colin Kollin Collim Sollin Collen Callin Collina Colline Collini McCollins
Surname Finder, The Collins Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.