Welcome to the Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas ancestry. Share this page on Twitter!
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The Thomas Family Tree
It is quite possible that someone else has already performed work on a Thomas family tree, so be sure to examine some of the sources listed below carefully. Have you struck a Thomas brick wall? Read "Schools Records Can Reveal A Lot About Ancestors" for some helpful advice.
Best Tree Collections for Discovering Thomas Ancestors
Thomas Genealogy
Many things can go wrong when a record collection is indexed. If you're having diffculty finding Thomas ancestors in a particular database at one site, try finding it on another and compare the results. If you want to know How do I find my Thomas family in the census?, then read this frequently asked question.
Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Thomas
Historical newspapers give us the ability to discover ancestral history through eyewitness accounts.
There are currently matching Thomas records at Ancestry.com!
Start exploring this online Thomas family history resource today.
Death Records
Military Records
Origins of the Thomas Surname
It is quite possible for two people with the Thomas last name to have been given that surname for entirely different reasons. Discovering the country from which your Thomas ancestors originated can often yield additional clues for the meaning of the surname. Were you aware that Thomas is a common French surname? The article "Finding French - cherchez la famille" 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.
Thomas DNA Projects
While DNA testing cannot conclusively tell you if two Thomas 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 are seeking an answer to the question, How do I know which DNA test is right for Thomas research?, then this FAQ may help.
Thomas Family History
There is more to exploring your Thomas 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 How can I decipher the handwriting in old Thomas documents? is always useful.
Photo Collections
Networking with Thomas Researchers
When it comes families and genealogy research, it's important to remember that different people may have different information: some may even have inherited one-of-a-kind family documents or photos, and the best way to connect with these family members is by posting a message board query -- often in the process of collaboration, you can build a more complete picture of your ancestor or ancestral family. The article "Looking for John Smith - Focusing a Query" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Thomas 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 Thomas ancestors.
Thomas Achievements & Celebrities
Did you know that Thomas was the 12th most popular surname in the 1990 census of the United States?
Web Sites & Blogs with Thomas Research
If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Thomas, 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 THOMAS Clippings and Mentions
Upcoming Thomas 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 "Thomas 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 "Family Reunions Don't Always Turn Out as one has Pictured" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Thomas reunion.
See Also
Thomos Tomas Thomase Thomaso Thoma Thorna Thomo Thama Toma Thoma Thomi Thomu Thomy Homas
Surname Finder, The Thomas Genealogy and Family Tree Page [on-line resource], New Providence, NJ, USA: Genealogy Today LLC, 2023.