Welcome to the Key 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 Key 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 Key ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The Key Family Tree
Everyone has different reasons for building a family tree; your personal motiviation will influence whether the Key family tree has more depth or breadth. Have you struck a Key brick wall? Read "Genealogical Research Habits" for some helpful advice.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering Key Ancestors
Key Genealogy
Keep an open mind when searching through Key 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 Key research?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Key
Census records are among the most useful records available for family tree building.
There are currently matching Key records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online Key family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the Key Surname
There are no clear, concise answers to why or how one of your Key ancestors took on the surname. It may have been based on their occupation or a distinguising physical trait. Were you aware that Key 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.
Key DNA Projects
DNA testing for genealogy continues to improve. If you had some of your Key relatives tested several years ago, it may be worthwhile to have them retested. Likewise, as DNA testing companies have gathered more results and samples, you may be able to find more matches if you search again with your test results. If you're not sure how DNA testing could aid your Key research, read "Utilizing DNA in Family History Research".
Key Family History
Every family has a different history, and every document you discover about your Key ancestors will help paint a picture that can be shared with your relatives. Whether you are a beginner or expert genealogists, knowing How do I find my Key family history on the Internet? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with Key Researchers
In doing genealogy research, we surely don't want to reinvent the wheel; in researching your Key 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 Key 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 Key ancestors.
Key Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that Key was the 796th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with Key Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Key, 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 KEY Clippings and Mentions
Upcoming Key Family Reunions
One key to a successful Key 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 Key reunion.
See Also
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Surname Finder, The Key Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.
