You go to http://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts/
Type in your last name into the blank that looks like this.
Click on Search now after you type in your name.
You will then get a screen that looks like this...
From this screen you can find all sorts of information about your last name. Now...keep in mind that not every person with your last name is actually related to you. I want you to look at all of the information about your last name and write a short summary about it. Make sure you click on all of the links on the left hand side. You can change the date to go back even further! I will post my short summary under comments so you can see what I am looking for. Please make sure you are following the guidelines in order to receive your full extra credit! DO NOT POST YOUR LAST NAME IN YOUR SUMMARY!!!!
HAVE FUN!!
I learned through the last name search that in 1920 the majority of the Wilkins lived in Texas, California, Illinois, and several states in the Northeast. In 1840 all members of the Wilkins family lived in the East with the majority of them living in Ohio, New York, and Maine. According to the link the greatest number of Wilkins came from England. There were also others who came from other European nations. The Wilkins sporadically immigrated from 1851 - 1891 but the year 1871 had the highest number of immigration for the Wilkins family. The Wilkins stayed on track with the general public as far as life expectancy. The majority of the Wilkins worked as farmers. They also held positions as laborers, house keepers, and carpenters. 702 Wilkins served with the Union army during the civil war while only 361 served with the Confederate army. It was very interesting to learn about the origins of my husband's family. I can't wait to learn about yours! HAVE FUN!
ReplyDeleteI learned through searching my last name that in 1840 there was only one family in the entire US who had the last name, Villanueva, and they lived in Louisiana. In 1880, people with the last name, Villanueva, lived in Texas,New Mexico, and California, with the majority living in Texas. By 1920, the number of Villanueva families had increased and were spread throught the southwest and northeast, with the majority, once again, living in Texas.
ReplyDeleteThe Villanueva's immigrated from various countries, but the majority are from Spain. The year, 1874, was the most active immigration year.
The average life expectancy was well below the general public average from 1948-1960 by as much as 20 years, but picked up to as little as 5 years below the general public average from then on.
The Villanueva family consisted mostly of Laborer's and Farmers.
The Villanueva family had 8 veterans of the Civil War. 2 served with the Confederate Army, 2 served with the Union Army, and 4 were combines.
Thank you, Mrs. Wilkins, for allowing me to do this activity. It was fun and exciting researching my family name!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI learned that my last name is English, Scottish, and Irish. Most are from England 3,367 immigrated from there. There are also many that immigrated from Ireland, Great Britain, Scottland, Germany, and Sweden. I learned that in 1851, 250 ancestors came to America and in 1861 only 50 of them came over. The highest number of my ancestors departed from Liverpool, England, Queenstown, Ireland. That year over 300 came to America. 41% of my ancestors departed from Liverpool, England and Queenstown, Ireland. 29% departed from Ireland the rest were from other ports. Most people who share a last name with me worked as farmers the second highest job was as a laborer. Most of them served in the civil war and were on both sides. There were over 3 million that served. The confederate army had the least amount. I found out that the life expectancy for my family name is not as good as the general public. Most of them die around age 70. :(
ReplyDeleteEmily 8th
ReplyDeleteI learned that most of my family came Scotland and Ireland. They were farmers which alot of people seemed to be no stores like today so had to grow your own.Most of them came to the U.S. through Liverpool,England or Queensland,Ireland I know mine came from Ireland. 427 served in the Confederate army and 333 in the Union during the Civil war.Most lived about the normal ages 70 to 80.