When I discovered the Find a Grave website, I found several people from my paternal lines. It feels good to connect them as family here, just as they were connected in life. Doing so also aids in locating supportive records to tell the story of those interred, which preserves history and is ultimately our collective heritage.

The American-Canadian Genealogical Society in Manchester, NH, USA was instrumental in tracing my paternal ancestors back to 1600s France. During that time of research, I learned French first names are different from American ones, about multiple name and surname usage (indicated with a 'dit'), how French names were adapted to the American format, etc. Understanding how names work in various cultures affects how to go about searching for documentation which tells us who was "behind" the grave markers.

When I discovered the Find a Grave website, I found several people from my paternal lines. It feels good to connect them as family here, just as they were connected in life. Doing so also aids in locating supportive records to tell the story of those interred, which preserves history and is ultimately our collective heritage.

The American-Canadian Genealogical Society in Manchester, NH, USA was instrumental in tracing my paternal ancestors back to 1600s France. During that time of research, I learned French first names are different from American ones, about multiple name and surname usage (indicated with a 'dit'), how French names were adapted to the American format, etc. Understanding how names work in various cultures affects how to go about searching for documentation which tells us who was "behind" the grave markers.