Welcome to the O 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 O 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 O ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The O Family Tree
Everyone has different reasons for building a family tree; your personal motiviation will influence whether the O family tree has more depth or breadth. Have you struck a O brick wall? Read "Know Where to Begin Your Genealogical Search" for some helpful advice.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering O Ancestors
O Genealogy
Sometimes two people can look at the same handwritten record, and come up with different spellings of the name. Be creative when searching for your O ancestors -- we often search for misspellings intentionally to see if we missed any records. Genealogy is more than just searching through databases. Articles like "" can help accelerate your O research.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for O
Census records are among the most useful records available for family tree building.
There are currently matching O records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online O family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the O Surname
While some countries have limited historical records for last name assignments, you are most likely to only find general guidance on the origin and meaning of the O surname. Keep in mind that it was not unusual for a last name to be altered as an ancestor entered a new country.
O DNA Projects
DNA testing for genealogy continues to improve. If you had some of your O 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 O research, read "Utilizing DNA in Family History Research".
O Family History
Every family has a different history, and every document you discover about your O 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 O family history on the Internet? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with O Researchers
In the course of genealogy research, collaboration is key -- we really cannot do it alone, and one of the great benefits of participating in community message boards is building relationships that not only enlightens our research but strengthens bonds across the miles. The article "Are Your Queries Getting Results?" provides some valuable tips for posting successful O 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 O ancestors.
O Achievements & Celebrities
Web Sites & Blogs with O Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of O, 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 O Family Reunions
Whenever possible, consider holding the family reunion in place where you have a strong O family history, which provides opportunities to share stories and visit cemeteries or old home sites; you may even want to consider as a one-day activity, having each family take on the task of gathering information from the local courthouse, school district, public library, etc. -- this, of course, requires advance planning and assignment, but could generate considerable interest and results. The article "Family Reunions Don't Always Turn Out as one has Pictured" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful O reunion.
See Also
Surname Finder, The O Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.