Welcome to the Keene 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 Keene 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 Keene ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The Keene Family Tree
Everyone has different reasons for building a family tree; your personal motiviation will influence whether the Keene family tree has more depth or breadth. Have you struck a Keene brick wall? Read "Genealogical Research Habits" for some helpful advice.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering Keene Ancestors
Keene Genealogy
Keep an open mind when searching through Keene 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 I locate old newspapers for Keene research?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Keene
Census records are among the most useful records available for family tree building.
There are currently matching Keene records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online Keene family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the Keene Surname
There are no clear, concise answers to why or how one of your Keene 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.
Keene DNA Projects
While DNA testing cannot conclusively tell you if two Keene 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 Keene research, read "Basics of DNA Family History Research".
Keene Family History
There is more to exploring your Keene 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 Where can I find a biography of my Keene ancestor? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with Keene Researchers
In doing genealogy research, we surely don't want to reinvent the wheel; in researching your Keene 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 "The Art of Posting Queries" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Keene 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 Keene ancestors.
Keene Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that Keene was the 1778th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with Keene Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Keene, 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 Keene Family Reunions
One key to a successful Keene 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 "A Great Way to Unite a Newly-Found Family" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Keene reunion.
See Also
Keeme Keine Keone Kine Keena Keeni Keeno Keenu Keeny Keen MacKeene McKeene
Surname Finder, The Keene Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.
