Welcome to the Hayes 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 Hayes 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 Hayes ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The Hayes Family Tree
Everyone has different reasons for building a family tree; your personal motiviation will influence whether the Hayes family tree has more depth or breadth. Have you struck a Hayes brick wall? Read "Caring for your Ancestors" for some helpful advice.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering Hayes Ancestors
Hayes Genealogy
Keep an open mind when searching through Hayes 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 Hayes research?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Hayes
Census records are among the most useful records available for family tree building.
There are currently matching Hayes records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online Hayes family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the Hayes Surname
There are no clear, concise answers to why or how one of your Hayes ancestors took on the surname. It may have been based on their occupation or a distinguising physical trait. Were you aware that Hayes 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.
Hayes DNA Projects
Don't believe the hype! When DNA testing was first made available for genealogical purposes, some companies boasted how it could solve all your Hayes family tree mysteries. DNA testing can be a useful tool, when applied properly to a given research issue. If you're not sure how DNA testing could aid your Hayes research, read "Utilizing DNA in Family History Research".
Hayes Family History
Every family has a different history, and every document you discover about your Hayes ancestors will help paint a picture that can be shared with your relatives. Our team of seasoned experts are here to help you learn about different aspects of genealogy. Reading "Faddish First Names" may help you think of some different tactics to compiling your Hayes family history.
Photo Collections
Networking with Hayes Researchers
When digging deeper into your ancestor's occupation, a great way to connect with others of a similar interest -- many who might have detailed information, is by posting a message board query giving clear information as to your ancestor's name and the specific occupation or organization, in time and place. The article "The Art of Posting Queries" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Hayes 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 Hayes ancestors.
Hayes Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that Hayes was the 100th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with Hayes Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Hayes, 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 Hayes Family Reunions
Pedigree charts and family group records are important genealogical tools, so bringing or creating on site a big family pedigree (or family tree) is sure to draw attention; at the same time, have plenty of blank family group sheets available for individual families to complete and submit to go into a "Hayes family record book," which you can then digitize and share -- you can then bring the physical book back to the next reunion, adding new families each time. The article "A Great Way to Unite a Newly-Found Family" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Hayes reunion.
See Also
Heyes Hoyes Haye Haie Heye Hoye Haya Hayo Hayu Ayes
Surname Finder, The Hayes Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.