When I started my genealogy research, I believed my paternal grandfather was an only child. No one ever mentioned brothers or sisters, so I went on the assumption that, according to the Italian naming convention (see our earlier post), that his father would have the same name. Wrong! After much research, I discovered he was the third male child named after an uncle! Myths and misconceptions can derail research quickly. Here are some common genealogy myths to avoid.
Name Was Changed At Ellis Island
Passenger lists were created at the port of departure, not the port of arrival. Officials at Ellis Island compared the list to immigrant answers to questions the officials asked. Ellis Island staff were fluent in different languages so immigrants could communicate with officials. In order to assimilate with their new home, immigrants often changed their own surnames or given names to “fit” in. Names variations occur throughout history as people spell names differently or people hear names differently and may write down those names phonetically.
We Have a Cherokee Princess in Our Tree
Though Native Americans did intermarry with white settlers, there were no princesses in the tribe, any tribe. There were no royalty in Native American culture. The Chief’s daughter was not a princess but was respected as the Chief’s daughter. This myth may have began back in the time of Pocahontas (who was called a princess by the English as a sign of respect). For more information, check out the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
All the Records are Online
Alas, no. That would be nice, wouldn’t it? Only a fraction of the records are online. Many records are still in paper form, on microfilm housed in archives, museums, libraries, or other repositories. You can use web sites like Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch, or FindMyPast to start your research or continue your research. You will need to seek out some records in those brick and mortar buildings.
I have fallen into some myths and misconceptions when I first started my family tree, and probably will come across more as my research continues. I have learned to be more focused and to expect the unexpected. What myths and misconceptions have you come across and how did you overcome? Comment below. If you would like to see more on genealogy myths, let us know that as well!
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