Genealogy: Special Topics
A guide to researching special topics in genealogy & family history.
Names
All names have meanings, and every person and place has a name. In researching our family history, we may come across a name for a person or a place that we want to learn more about. This section will provide an overview of just some of the books and online resources available for researching the names of people and places.
What's in a Name?: Everything You Wanted to Know by Call Number: SOC SCI REF CS2309 .A84 2000xISBN: 9780806312613Publication Date: 2000-01-01This book will tell you the facts behind the names of persons, places and things; about how names are chosen for business and for success; how they are used for everything from tracing settlement patterns to telling fortunes; how forenames have their fashions; where surnames had their origins; all about names in the U.S. and around the globe.
- Ancestry Library Edition This link opens in a new window
Provided by ProQuest and MyFamily.com, this genealogical collection covers U.S. and the U.K. census, vital, church, court, and immigration records, as well as record collections from Canada and other areas. It contains more than 4,000 databases, 1.5 billion names, as well as over 1,000 historical maps. Coverage:1300-present
No remote access. - Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Credo Reference is a giant online reference library that provides access to as many as 162 reference books, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri, books of quotations, as well as a range of subject-specific titles all cross-referenced throughout the collection. Special features include a crossword solver and conversion calculators.
- Gale In Context: U.S. History This link opens in a new window
Provides integrated access to historical (primary) documents, reference articles, full-text journals covering themes, events, individuals and periods in U.S. history from pre-Colonial times to the present. Also includes citations for over 180 additional history journals from the Institute for Scientific Information's Arts and Humanities Citation Index.
- Very Short Introductions
Provided by Oxford University Press, Very Short Introductions offer concise introductions to a diverse range of subject areas from Climate to Consciousness, Game Theory to Ancient Warfare, Privacy to Islamic History, Economics to Literary Theory.
Antimony, Gold, and Jupiter's Wolf: How the Elements Were Named by Call Number: QD467 .W68 2019xISBN: 9780199652723Publication Date: 2020-02-01Here, Peter Wothers explores the fascinating and often surprising stories behind how the chemical elements received their names.
Big Book of Rock & Roll Names: How Arcade Fire, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Vampire Weekend, and 531 Other Bands Got Their Names by Call Number: ML102.R6 D66 2019xISBN: 9781419732591Publication Date: 2019-05-07The Big Book of Rock & Roll Names tells the behind-the-scenes stories of how the world's most popular and influential rock and pop acts got their names.
Jane Austen's Names: Riddles, Persons, Places by Call Number: PR4038.L33 D66 2015ISBN: 9780226157832Publication Date: 2015-04-14In Jane Austen's Names, Margaret Doody offers a fascinating and comprehensive study of all the names of people and places--real and imaginary--in Austen's fiction.
Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Dictionary, 1869-2011 by Call Number: SOC SCI REF GV862.3 .W67 2013ISBN: 9780786468447Publication Date: 2013-02-26This comprehensive reference book explains the nicknames of thousands of major and minor league franchises, Negro League and early independent black clubs, and international teams--from 1869 through 2011.
Latin for Gardeners: Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored by Call Number: PA2387 .H37 2012ISBN: 9780226009193Publication Date: 2012-09-21An essential addition to the gardener's library, this colorful, fully illustrated book details the history of naming plants, provides an overview of Latin naming conventions, and offers guidelines for pronunciation.
Bertha Venation: And Hundreds of Other Funny Names of Real People by Call Number: PN6231 .N24A85 2007ISBN: 9780060817152Publication Date: 2007-10-16This colorful collection of extraordinary names, sure to please every lover of miscellany, features: Celebrity Children, Weirdest Names in Sports, Aptly Named Professionals, Literary Highlights, Funny Name Marriages, Places and Houses with Strange Names, Long and Meaningless Names, and Pets.
A Dictionary of Modern Star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations by Call Number: REF QB802 .K818 2006ISBN: 9781931559447Publication Date: 2007-05-01In this second, revised edition of Short Guide to Modern Star Names and their Derivations, Paul Kunitzsch and Tim Smart track down the origin and meaning of 254 star names.
Personal Names
Personal names are important in family history research, because they are one of the most important ways we can identify our ancestors. Knowing what a name means can give researchers a sense of where the family came from and what may have been important to them.
Encyclopedia of Surnames [the Complete Companion to Tracing your Name's History] by Call Number: SOC SCI REF CS2385 .A98 2007xISBN: 9780713681444Publication Date: 2008-05-29Includes more than 7,000 surnames listed alphabetically. Broad coverage includes supplementary features on famous surnames, surnames of fictional characters, pseudonyms and names from abroad which are popular in the UK, including Celtic names.
First Name Reverse Dictionary: Given Names Listed by Meaning by Call Number: SOC SCI REF CS2377 .N37 2007ISBN: 9780786429349Publication Date: 2007-01-30Arranged alphabetically by definition, the names are followed by the language of origin, variations (derivatives, diminutives, and nicknames) of the name itself, and the name as interpreted in different languages. Separate sections are included for male and female names.
Nicknames Past and Present : A List of Nicknames for Given Names Used in the Past and Present Time by Call Number: SOC SCI REF CS2377 .R664 2007Publication Date: 2007Includes hundreds of nicknames, cross referenced. Includes an appendix on English equivalents for Dutch/Frisian names, and a new appendix for equivalents for Italian given names, nicknames, and diminutives. Also appendixes for superscripted given names, and names used both for males and females, and an article by the eminent Donald Lines Jacobus.
Dictionary of American Family Names by Call Number: SOC SCI REF CS2485 .D53 2003ISBN: 9780195081374Publication Date: 2003-05-08Documents 70,000 surnames of Americans across the country. Surveys each surname giving its meaning, nationality, alternate spellings, common forenames associated with it, and the frequency of each surname and forename.
A Concise Dictionary of First Names by Call Number: SOC SCI REF CS2377 .H35 1997ISBN: 9780198600947Publication Date: 1997-07-10A survey of over 6,000 names in regular use in the English-speaking world, from the traditional to the newest and unconventional names of the nineties. This Revised Edition also offers new appendices listing common Arabic, Russian, Indian, French, German, Italian, and Spanish first names.
The Name Book: Over 10,000 Names : Their Meanings, Origins, and Spiritual Significance by Call Number: SOC SCI REF CS2367 .A95 1997ISBN: 9781556619823Publication Date: 1997-08-01Lists thousands of classic, contemporary, and biblical names, along with their origins, meanings, spiritual connotations, and related scripture verses.
Encyclopedia of American Family Names by Call Number: CS2485 .R6 1995ISBN: 9780062700759Publication Date: 1995-08-01Each of the 5,000 alphabetically listed entries includes the root name and any derivatives and variations.
A Dictionary of First Names by Call Number: SOC SCI REF CS2367 .H32 1990ISBN: 9780192116512Publication Date: 1990-11-29A survey of over 4,500 European and American names (with two appendices covering the most common Arabic and Indian names).Typical entries provide the linguistic and ethnic root of a name. Most entries also include the non-English form or cognate of a name. In addition, entries include diminutives and pet forms.
To find books and other resources about personal names from a particular language, place, or religion, try doing a subject search in the BPL’s online catalog using the following format (quotes included): “Names, Personal -- [language, place, or religion]”.
For example:
"Names, Personal -- Chinese"
“Names, Personal -- Great Britain”
“Names, Personal -- Jewish"
Sometimes, searching for a language instead of a place, i.e. Russian instead of Russia, will yield better results. Searching for both the language and place may also turn up more results.
- What's In A Name? Tips on Searching for Personal Names in Genealogical ResourcesFrom the University of Delaware Library
- Surname SearchFrom FamilySearch.org, drawn from A Dictionary of American Family Names.
- Last Name Meanings and OriginsFrom Ancestry.com, includes statistics related to last name drawn from their databases.
- Behind the Name: The Etymology and History of First NamesIndependent website for learning about all aspects of given names. Includes information about methodology and sources used.
- Names.orgIncludes first and last name searches, advanced baby name search, and name popularity information.
- Many African American last names hold weight of Black historyBy Julia Craven for NBC News
- Social Security Administration, Popular Baby NamesIncludes data for the 1000 most popular baby names from 1900-2018.
Geographical Names
Geographical names are another important thing to keep track of in family history research. Knowing the meaning behind a geographical name and where it came from can provide important information about the history of a particular place.
To find books and other resources about geographical names from a particular location, culture, or language you can try doing a subject search in the BPL’s online catalog using the following format (quotes included): “Names, Geographical -- [location or language]”.
For example:
"Names, Geographical -- Boston"
"Names, Geographical -- England"
"Names, Geographical -- French"
"Names, Geographical -- Maine"
If this method doesn't work, you can also try doing a keyword search using combinations of "place names", "geographical names", and the location or language you are researching.
- Geographical Names: MassachusettsBooks relating to geographical names in Massachusetts held by the BPL.
Placenames of the Civil War: Cities, Towns, Villages, Railroad Stations, Forts, Camps, Islands, Rivers, Creeks, Fords and Ferries by Call Number: SOC SCI REF E468 .B45 2012ISBN: 9780786470099Publication Date: 2012-04-25This gazetteer provides information on nearly 1600 sites, including not only locations of battles and skirmishes but also hospitals, prison camps, military academies, factories and navy yards, both North and South. Also listed are islands, rivers, creeks, fords, ferries and railroad stations, as well as many temporary fort and camp names.
Native American Placenames of the United States by Call Number: SOC SCI REF E98 .N2B75 2004ISBN: 9780806135762Publication Date: 2004-09-13This volume combines historical research and linguistic fieldwork with Native speakers from across the United States to present a comprehensive, scholarly dictionary of American placenames derived from Native languages. Includes entries for eleven thousand placenames along with their etymologies.
Indian Placenames in America by Call Number: SOC SCI REF E98 .N2N47 2003ISBN: 9780786419838Publication Date: 2004-11-29Volume 1 covers cities, towns, and villages; volume 2 covers rivers, lakes, mountains, and other geographical features.
Nicknames and Sobrquets of U. S. Cities, States, and Counties by Call Number: E155 .K24 2003xISBN: 9780810847040Publication Date: 2003From Scrapple City to City of Little Wedding Churches, this listing includes almost 12,500 official and unofficial nicknames and sobriquets of American states, cities, towns, and counties.
State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide by Call Number: SOC SCI REF E155 .S44 2002ISBN: 9780313315343Publication Date: 2001-10-30Features chapters on state and territory names and nicknames, mottoes, seals, flags, capitals, and more. Also includes bibliography of state and territory histories. The work features full-color illustrations of every state and territory seal, flag, flower, tree, bird, commemorative postage stamp, and license plates.
County Name Origins of the United States by Call Number: SOC SCI REF E155 .B33 2001ISBN: 9780786410255Publication Date: 2001-05-04This reference supplies the origins of all county (and parish) names in the United States. It is organized into 49 chapters, each covering a state (Alaska is omitted). The counties are covered in alphabetical order and each entry presents historical details and explains the origins of its name.
Peculiar, Uncertain and Two Egg: The Unusual Origins of More Than 3,000 American Place Names by Call Number: SOC SCI REF E155 .B57 2000ISBN: 9781581820942Publication Date: 2000-05-01A collection of more than 3,000 oddly named places in the United States and how each received its moniker.
Storyville, USA by Call Number: E169.04 .P48 1999ISBN: 9780820321516Publication Date: 1999-10-14What is a Storyville? Whether you're in Toast, North Carolina, Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky, or Winner, South Dakota, a Storyville is a real town you can find on a map, with a tale behind its quirky name. Covering 20,000 miles of U.S. roads, Dale Peterson drove with his kids, Britt and Bayne, from Start, Louisiana, to Deadhorse, Alaska in search of small-town America in the "garage sale of the open highway." Along the way they explored open spaces, wild places, and country back roads and met people who weren't afraid to talk to one another.
American Place Names of Long Ago: A Republication of the Index to Cram's Unrivaled Atlas of the World as Based on the Census of 1890 by Call Number: SOC SCI REF E155 .A58 1998ISBN: 9780806315577Publication Date: 1999-01-01Each entry, in alphabetical order within states, gives the place name, the county in which the place is located, & the population of the place at the time of the census. State capitals & large cities are in caps, county seats are in boldface, post offices are in roman type, & places that are not post offices are rendered in italics. Places that were too small for a population count are indicated by an "X".
A Place Called Peculiar: Stories About Unusual American Place-names by Call Number: SOC SCI REF E155 .G17 1998ISBN: 9780877796190Publication Date: 1998-01-01A state-by-state tour of places with extraordinary names and the stories behind them. Feast on towns from Breakfast Hill, New Hampshire, to Dinner Station, Nevada. Includes local attractions for over 40 towns. Sidebars describe surprising name trends.
All over the Map Again by Call Number: G1200 .J57 1996ISBN: 9780898158359Publication Date: 1996-09-01Thirty-three maps of the United States feature town names that share a common theme, including musical terms, animals, plants, minerals, planets, weather, and numbers.
All over the Map by Call Number: G1200 .J6 1994ISBN: 9780898156492Publication Date: 1994-09-01Thirty-three maps of the United States feature town names that share a comon theme, including musical terms, animals, plants, minerals, planets, weather, and numbers.
The Pronunciation of Placenames: A Worldwide Dictionary by Call Number: G105 .R67 2007ISBN: 9780786429417Publication Date: 2007-05-30This reference dictionary provides a user-friendly pronunciation guide for over 12,000 placenames worldwide. An appendix provides a useful directory to the most well-known countries, regions, and cities whose native names differ significantly from their English counterparts.
Labels for Locals: What to Call People From Abilene to Zimbabwe by Call Number: SOC SCI REF PE1578 .A2D52 2006ISBN: 9780060881641Publication Date: 2006-08-15Labels for Locals provides guidance on the preferred, and sometimes disdained, names for selected locales, cities, regions, countries, and ethnic groups worldwide.
Nicknames of Places: Origins and Meanings of the Alternate and Secondary Names, Sobriquets, Titles, Epithets and Slogans for 4600 Places Worldwide by Call Number: SOC SCI REF G105 .R65 2006ISBN: 9780786424979Publication Date: 2006-09-01The Dictionary entries are arranged alphabetically by secondary name and include the city's real name, its location, and an explanation of the secondary name with one or more quotations documenting its use.
Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for 6,600 Countries, Cities, Territories, Natural Features, and Historic Sites by Call Number: G105 .R66 2006ISBN: 9780786422487Publication Date: 2005-12-13First published in 1997, the work in this new edition contains over 7,000 entries, including 1,000 new placenames from previously under-represented areas such as China and Japan. Entries cover natural features as well as manmade entities. Each entry includes the name of the feature; a brief description and its geographical location; and the origin of the name.
Place Names of the World: Europe : Historical Context, Meanings and Changes by Call Number: D905 .E94 2000xISBN: 9780333777596Publication Date: 2000-08-01The text is ordered by country alphabetically. The book will include a historical section, putting the place name into context, and references those events, which have had an impact on the geography of a country, and those foreign influences, which have played a part in shaping the place name. This volume is confined to the 38 countries of Europe, together with Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Cyprus and the Vatican City.
- Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)From the U.S. Geological Survey
- Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names® OnlineFrom the Getty Research Institute, includes information about prior names of places
- Geographic Names and the World Wide WebFrom the Library of Congress, a guide to searching for place names in the U.S. and the rest of the world
- Archaic Community, District, Neighborhood Section and Village, Names in MassachusettsFrom the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Citizen Information Service
- Gazetteers of Native American Place NamesFrom the Library of Congress, includes links to digitized gazetteers containing information about Native American place names
- Origins of Canada's Geographical NamesFrom the Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada