Being Danish: Traditions and Genealogy
2025. augusztus 11., hétfő 8:54:01
If your family has Danish heritage, you’re likely to see the evidence of it around your kitchen table and within the routines of your daily life. Understanding and preserving these traditions can help you feel more connected to your heritage and cultural identity.
Danish culture centers on embracing the concept of ‘hygge’, the joy of living in the present and leading a simple, cozy life. While Danish culture can be seen as more subtle and nuanced than that of other European countries, its traditions and customs are being handed down in the same way.
MyHeritage can guide you as you navigate the search for your Danish ancestry, from accessing millions of Danish church records to exploring Nordic newspaper archives. In this article, we’re exploring the Danish traditions that are being kept alive across the world by immigrant families and how to trace your Danish roots with MyHeritage.
Family life is at the heart of Danish living ,with a belief that everyone, regardless of their age or place in the family structure, deserves a voice. Everyone in a family, from grandparents to young children, is treated with the same respect. This egalitarian approach to family life nurtures independence and emotional intelligence in children from a young age. It’s common for this gentler approach to parenting to still exist within immigrant families.
There’s a strong focus on families coming together, from regularly eating meals around the kitchen table to going on walks outdoors. Danish families focus on finding calmness through routines that help to establish a peaceful home life. Many embrace the spirit of ‘hygge’ by enjoying quiet moments together, whether it’s disconnecting from the digital world, playing board games, or cooking traditional Danish food.
Even in families where Danish is no longer being spoken, many continue to have the same core values as their ancestors. There’s a strong commitment to being present for each other with a focus on simplicity, even during celebrations and larger events. Responsibilities are shared equally within family households, and independence is key for both children and the elderly, with a focus on intergenerational care.
Like most Nordic countries, Danish celebrations are focused on nature, prioritizing traditions, and family time over material excess. These seasonal traditions are how many Danish immigrant families remain connected to their cultural identity.
Christmas is known as ‘Jul’ in Denmark and is the main festive season of the year. The build-up to Christmas begins in late November with families lighting Advent candles, baking traditional festive treats, like twisted doughnuts (klejner), and opening daily Christmas countdown calendars.
On December 24th, families celebrate dinner together and dance around their Christmas tree. Many Danish immigrant communities will capture this spirit by hosting Christmas markets, known as ‘julemarked’.
Other popular Danish holidays include ‘Fastelavn’, the Danish version of Carnival, celebrated seven weeks before Easter. St. John’s Eve (Sankt Hans Aften) is observed on June 23rd as the Danish celebration of Midsummer. Easter is also a major cultural holiday with Danish families decorating eggs and sending letters to each other with recipients having to guess the sender, a tradition known as ‘gækkebrev’.
Food is how many immigrant families pass down their heritage and tradition – Danish families are no exception. Danish food tends to be simpler to make and is one of the most accessible ways to explore your Danish heritage.
Everyday food is intended to be practical with a focus on hearty ingredients to make meals like meatballs (frikadeller) and open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød). One of the most recognizable Danish foods is rugbrød, a sour rye bread that is often used for sandwiches.
Regular family mealtimes are an important part of Danish culture, with a focus on creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Families will often incorporate ‘hygge’ into their mealtimes by sitting together and lighting candles.
If you want to feel more connected to your Danish heritage, tracing your family tree is the perfect place to start. At MyHeritage, you’ll get access to over 125 million Danish records, from census documents to birth records and Nordic newspapers.
Your search for your Danish heritage is likely to start with parish registers, known as ‘kirkebog’, which were maintained by the Lutheran state. Knowing the parish your family lived in can help focus your search, with most documents also being accessible through Arkivalieronline, a digitized archive run by the Danish National Archives.
Understanding Danish naming conventions can also help with your search. Before the 1820s, most Danish surnames were patronymics, meaning a child’s surname was derived from their father’s first name with “-sen” added for a son and “-datter” for a daughter.
Start with what you know to begin tracing your family tree and start with what you know. Our record matches and smart matches will help you unlock the branches of your family tree, while you can also use DNA testing to uncover potential distant relatives.
Tracing your family tree and discovering your Danish heritage can help you connect with these traditions and preserve them for the next generation. Start exploring your Danish roots with a free MyHeritage trial today.
Hygge is a Nordic lifestyle focused on comfort and warmth. It’s central to Danish culture and family life as it prioritizes spending time together and feeling connected.
Always begin with what you know. Create a list of known family names and locations, using MyHeritage to create a family tree before accessing our Danish records to expand your search.
Albert, California, Minnesota, and Iowa have active Danish immigrant communities and often host cultural events.
Traditional Danish cuisine includes open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød), meatballs (frikadeller), rice pudding (risalamande), and æbleskiver (round pancakes).
Fixed surnames were only adopted after 1828, with a patronymic surname convention used previously. This can make it harder to accurately trace your family tree, so it’s important to double-check and verify your information.
The post Being Danish: Traditions and Genealogy appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Ancient Greek Names: Unlocking the Myth and Meaning Behind Your Family’s Past
2025. augusztus 10., vasárnap 8:09:45
The names of ancient Greece echo through time with power, poetry, and purpose. From the pages of Homer’s Odyssey to modern-day birth certificates, names like Athena, Leonidas, and Penelope can still strike a chord. Have you ever wondered if your name connects to a legendary hero or goddess? For family historians, Greek names open a window into a rich naming tradition filled with fascinating clues about ancestry, religion, and identity.
Whether you have Greek heritage or are curious about how names evolve across generations, understanding ancient Greek naming conventions can deepen any genealogical discovery.
Before diving in, here are a few things to keep in mind about ancient Greek names and their value in family history:
You may be surprised to learn that names from thousands of years ago still appear in church records, tombstones, and even modern Greek birth registries. That’s because Greek naming traditions often honor ancestors or saints, making repeat names common across generations.
For example, a grandfather named “Nikolaos” may have a grandson named after him decades later — and that continuity can help you trace family lines backward through time. Knowing where a name comes from can help you tell people apart when different records list similar names.
Many ancient Greek names were inspired by gods, heroes, or legendary events. If you’ve ever met someone named Helen, Jason, or Daphne, you’ve encountered names rooted in exciting Greek myth.
In ancient times, names like these were believed to invoke the protection or qualities of the god or hero in question. Parents hoped a child named Athena would grow up wise, while a boy named Herakles might be destined to be strong.
In research, these names often appear in baptismal or civil records — especially in families with a strong Orthodox Christian or national pride tradition. Here are a few common mythological names you might come across in both ancient and modern Greek family records.
Ancient Greek families followed clear naming traditions. Families often followed a set pattern that modern genealogists can use like a breadcrumb trail. Here’s how these naming traditions typically played out — and how they can help you identify family relationships:
This tradition means that names often repeat across cousins and siblings — which can be confusing at first, but incredibly useful once you understand the pattern. Using these naming conventions, you can grow your family tree on MyHeritage and identify relatives across generations.
Surnames weren’t always part of the naming equation in ancient Greece. Many people were identified by their father’s name (e.g., “Nikolaos son of Georgios”) or by their place of origin (e.g., “Socrates of Athens”).
As surnames evolved, many Greek family names began incorporating patronymic elements like “-poulos” (meaning “son of”). Others reflect professions, geographic locations, or characteristics. Understanding these suffixes can help you decode the meaning of a last name and trace it through the centuries.
Whether your family tree stretches back to Athens or you’re simply curious about the legacy of ancient Greece, understanding these names can add texture to your genealogical journey. All of our names carry memory, meaning, and cultural identity across centuries. As you explore your family history, let the stories behind the names guide your way.
Curious about your Greek last name? Search it now in the MyHeritage Last Name Directory and uncover its meaning and origins
Yes — many mythological names remain popular in Greek-speaking regions today, especially in rural areas and religious families.
These endings in Greek surnames often show where a family came from or who someone’s father was. “-poulos” means “son of,” while “-akis” can be a diminutive or regional suffix from Crete or the Peloponnese.
Greek names often use gendered endings. For example, Nikolaos (male) vs. Nikoletta (female). Learning basic suffix patterns helps.
Yes. Traditional Greek families often named children after grandparents, following a predictable pattern that can be helpful in identifying unknown relatives.
Start with MyHeritage’s Greek records collection and connect with others via the MyHeritage Community.
David Ridd is a ghostwriter and copywriter who specializes in storytelling across mediums, from bestselling books to branded content. With a personal passion for genealogy and family history, he enjoys exploring the hidden narratives that shape who we are.
The post Ancient Greek Names: Unlocking the Myth and Meaning Behind Your Family’s Past appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Being Filipino: Exploring Traditions and Family History
2025. augusztus 9., szombat 8:24:04
Filipino families often express resilience and togetherness, gathering to share meals, stories, and traditions. The Filipino diaspora is spread across the world, considered one of the largest and most widespread, with at least 10% of the population of the Philippines working or living abroad.
Whether you’re a second or third-generation Filipino, researching your family tree can help you feel more connected to your identity and heritage. While genealogy provides a roadmap to follow your ancestors through history, it’s customs and traditions that make being Filipino part of your daily life.
MyHeritage helps streamline your family history research by giving you access to over 11 million vital records from the Philippines. In this article, we’re exploring the Filipino traditions that are being kept alive across the world by immigrant families and how you can search for Filipino family members in our archives.
Extended family households are the norm in Filipino communities. It’s not unusual for everyone, including grandparents, aunts, and uncles, to live under one roof or in nearby homes. This multigenerational living arrangement showcases the focus on community and collective experience, allowing family members to maintain independence, while taking mutual care of each other.
Godparents, known as ‘ninogs’ and ‘ninangs’, are considered part of a child’s immediate family. Similarly, uncles and aunts, known as ‘titos’ and ‘titas’, are seen as second parents.
Three key Filipino values feed into everyday life. “Utang na loob”, meaning debt of gratitude, is the sense of obligation that individuals have for those who help them. The second, “Pakkisama”, reflects the need for social harmony and is why Filipinos often avoid conflict by respecting their elders and supporting family members. Finally, “hiya” means modesty and requires families to act with respect and humility.
The Philippines has one of the largest overseas worker populations in the world. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may spend years away from home to help support their families financially. It’s one of the reasons why connection is so important in Filipino culture, with families prioritizing staying in touch, no matter how far apart they are.
Indigenous customs and Catholic influences are evident in almost every aspect of Filipino culture. One of the most unique aspects of Filipino culture is that it has the longest Christmas season, running from early September to January.
There are 9 dawn masses held in the lead up to Christmas Eve, known as ‘simbang gabi’, and families will often make star-shaped lanterns to look like the Star of Bethlehem. Families will also host a Christmas Eve dinner with traditional Filipino cuisine, such as rice cake (bibingka), cheese ball (queso de bola), and roast pig (lechon).
Similarly, Holy Week, known locally as ‘Semana Santa’, is widely celebrated, and fiestas are held throughout the year for patron saints. These celebrations include street parades, masses, processions, and wearing traditional costumes. New Year’s Eve, known as ‘Bisperas ng Bagong Taon’, is another celebration with common rituals, including wearing polka dots to attract prosperity in the new year and displaying 12 round fruits for good luck.
The kitchen table is often where immigrants feel most connected to their culture, and the Philippines is no exception. Food acts as a type of living memory, allowing generations to pass down their knowledge to each other and remember life ‘back home’, even if they live thousands of miles away.
Cooking is a way to keep traditions alive, but also to introduce children to cultural vocabulary and share stories about older family members. Some of the most popular Filipino dishes include adobo, considered the national dish, sinigang, a tamarind-based soup, and kare-kare, a peanut-based stew. Many regions of the Philippines, and by extension immigrant families from them, adapt these recipes using different ingredients to make them their own.
Filipino families and immigrant communities often host potluck-style gatherings, known as a ‘salu-salo’, where everyone brings a traditional dish or a family specialty.
Reconnecting with your ancestral roots can help you feel more confident in your identity and create a sense of belonging by helping you understand and appreciate your family’s story. Researching Filipino family history can be challenging due to colonial and linguistic complexities, but there are ways to overcome these.
Many Filipinos have Spanish surnames that come from the Claveria Decree of 1849, when Filipinos were required to adopt standardized surnames. Uniquely, Filipino children traditionally inherit their mother’s maiden name as their middle name, often making it easier to research your maternal lineage.
Start your genealogy research by interviewing older family members and gathering confirmed dates, birthplaces, and locations. You can use MyHeritage to search marriage records to expand your search and start building the branches of your family tree. It’s worth noting that there are only limited documents available online, so it’s also worth exploring the National Archives of the Philippines and local church records for more clues about your family tree.
DNA testing is one of the most popular options for expanding your research, especially as historical patterns of migration mean that many Filipino family trees are multiethnic. The MyHeritage DNA test provides insights into your ethnic origins and helps identify new relatives through DNA Matches.
Feel more connected to your Filipino heritage than ever before by following your family’s footsteps through history with genealogy research. At MyHeritage, we’re here to streamline your research with a 360-degree approach to genealogy research, from DNA testing to access to vital records and Smart Matching. Sign up for a free trial today and discover your Filipino roots with MyHeritage.
Begin with what you know. Talk to older relatives and collect a list of confirmed dates, locations, and places of interest. This information will form the basis of your family tree and make it easier to search vital records.
Most Filipino family trees are multi-ethnic, containing a mixture of American, Spanish, Chinese, and Malay heritage.
Most Filipino immigrant families will honor their heritage by making traditional Filipino food and following customs for celebrations like Christmas, Holy Week, and New Year’s Eve.
Under Spanish colonial rule, the Claveria Decree of 1849 assigned many Filipinos with Spanish-style surnames. A Spanish-sounding surname does not immediately imply Spanish heritage.
Incorporate popular Filipino traditions into your daily life, from sharing stories about older relatives to cooking together and connecting with other relatives, while following Filipino values.
The post Being Filipino: Exploring Traditions and Family History appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
What Are Patronyms and How Are They Connected to Genealogy?
2025. augusztus 8., péntek 8:20:42
Ever come across surnames like Johnson, MacDonald, or Ivanov and wondered how they tie into your family history? If so, you’ve already considered the idea of patronyms — a naming system that links people to their fathers.
Across dozens of cultures, patronymic traditions have determined the way families were identified, remembered, and recorded for centuries. Understanding patronyms can help you trace your ancestral lines and get a handle on naming patterns that have existed for hundreds of years.
So, if you’re exploring your family tree, come with us now as we examine how patronyms can provide insight into why surnames in some families seem to change with every generation.
A patronym is a name that’s based on a father’s given name. In English-speaking regions, that usually meant adding “-son” to a name — think Johnson (son of John), Davidson, or Harrison. However, this pattern is far from being unique to the English language, as you’ll find similar systems in:
In many of these cultures, patronyms weren’t used as fixed surnames. They shifted with each generation and served more like snapshots of moments in history than permanent family names.
If you’re used to the way modern surnames are given in many parts of the Western world, patronyms can seem a little chaotic. For example, you might find records from the same family where each generation has a different last name.
This isn’t because of adoption or error, but because of a last name system that’s behaving exactly as intended. This is especially true in Iceland, where surnames still reset every generation. A man named Erik Jónsson could have a daughter called Anna Eriksdóttir, with no shared surname across the two.
Researchers need to look beyond fixed surnames and focus on parent-child relationships instead. Church records, census entries, and civil registrations often offer clues, especially when you know what naming pattern you’re looking for.
The MyHeritage’s historical records database helps here by letting you cross-reference multiple types of records to find those hidden links between generations, even when names change from person to person.
In many areas of the world, patronyms eventually did settle into permanent surnames. That’s why names like Robertson, Fitzgerald, or O’Brien are still with us today, even though no one’s actually using them to literally mean “son of Robert” anymore.
However, not all names followed that path. In some regions, people moved in and out of patronymic naming depending on things like local laws, religion, or social rank. You might see one generation using a patronym, the next adopting a fixed surname, and then a cousin reverting to an older style.
If you’re not sure whether your family name started as a patronym, the MyHeritage’s Last Name Directory is a great place to begin. It shows you where a name appeared historically, what it meant, and whether it may have originated as a father-based identifier.
Even if your own surname hasn’t changed in generations, patronymic logic can still show up in your family tree, often in subtle ways. Want to know if they appear? Then you should be looking for things like:
These aren’t mistakes. They’re reflections of the culture they came from, and recognizing them can help you go deeper into your tree, especially when dealing with countries where written records are sparse or fragmented.
Patronyms can feel like a tangle at first, but once you understand the system behind them, they become one of the most useful tools in genealogy. They tell you where someone fits in a family and often point directly to who came before.
With MyHeritage, you can explore your family history through billions of historical records and one of the most comprehensive DNA databases available — helping you uncover the stories behind changing surnames.
Not necessarily. In some cultures, names were created based on the father’s name, but the endings were different depending on gender. Her name might reflect that she was a daughter, while her brother’s reflects being a son.
That’s classic patronyms at work. Names changed with each generation, and sometimes clerks recorded what they thought they heard, especially when people moved from one region to another. If the location and relatives match, it’s likely still the right person.
No. You’ll find them all over, in places like Ethiopia, Mongolia, and the Middle East. The naming pattern might look different, but the idea of using the father’s name is surprisingly widespread.
Look for clues like “-son,” “-sen,” “-vich,” or “bin.” Or just run it through the MyHeritage Last Name Directory — it’ll give you a good breakdown.
Yes. If the name trail gets confusing, MyHeritage DNA can help confirm family relationships and link you to relatives with different surnames from the same line.
Not always. Focus on relationships, places, and time periods first. The names usually start to make more sense once those are in place.
Definitely. If their ancestors used a patronymic system, the surname could’ve changed from one generation to the next, even if you share the same lineage. That’s exactly where DNA fills the gaps that the records can’t.
Gavin Crawley is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience and a strong personal passion for genealogy. He combines his professional writing skills with a deep curiosity about family history, helping others explore their roots through clear, engaging content. Gavin draws on his own research experience to make complex topics more accessible to readers at all stages of their genealogical journey.
The post What Are Patronyms and How Are They Connected to Genealogy? appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Polish Mushroom Farmer Discovers He’s Related to Nicolas Cage and Other Famous People Through MyHeritage
2025. augusztus 7., csütörtök 8:14:31
My name is Ireneusz Nawrot, and I live in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, a beautiful region in western Poland. At 64 years old, I’m a year away from retirement, and my days are usually spent managing my mushroom production business, yielding an impressive 1,300 tons a month! But recently, my life has taken an exciting turn, thanks to an unexpected push into the world of genealogy.
Ireneusz Nawrot
It all started when my son, Marcin, encouraged me to begin researching my family. He suggested I log into my aunt’s MyHeritage account — who belonged to my ex-wife Małgorzata’s family — and help fill in some information about the relatives I knew. As I began entering details, I felt a hook sinking in. I decided then and there to create my own tree on MyHeritage, bought a subscription, and I haven’t looked back since!
Initially, I explored various genealogical platforms, but MyHeritage quickly became my favorite. Its tools proved incredibly helpful, especially the DNA Matches and Smart Matches, which allowed me to unearth some truly fascinating connections.
While not all are close relatives, the links are undeniable, and here are just a few of the remarkable individuals I’ve found in my family tree:
General Joseph Karge’s gravestone at Princeton Cemetery. Photo by John Colcord
And that’s just a glimpse! I’ve found many more relatives and connections. The “show relationship” feature on MyHeritage has been invaluable, helping me navigate my increasingly large tree.
A Relationship Report of Ireneusz’s connection to mathematician Henryk Zygalski
My genealogical journey also helped me solve a long-standing family mystery. I had an additional challenge because I didn’t know who my father, Henryk Nawrot, and my godfather, Józef Suszek, were. Thanks to my research, I managed to find them both.
MyHeritage tools like DNA and Smart Matches are especially useful in Poland, where historical records can be challenging to find. Many church records were lost or destroyed, particularly during the turbulent 18th century when Poland was under foreign rule, leading to significant emigration. This period saw my ancestors emigrate to Australia and New Zealand. Earlier, at the beginning of the 16th century, 3 of our families, including Jadwiga Welding (née Przybyła), Anna Kaczmarek (married name Siputa), and Lawrence Nawrot and his wife Mary (née Helak), emigrated to the U.S. It’s with Anna Kaczmarek that the story of Nicolas Cage begins.
I never knew Nicolas Cage was a relative — it was a complete surprise! I only remembered my grandmother, Maria Rokita, mentioning someone from the Kaczmarek family had emigrated to the United States. My previous searches led to Paul August Kaczmarek, a teacher who emigrated to the U.S., but his lineage seemed to end there. Then, on March 23, 2025, a friend, Andrzej Zielenda, called me after seeing a video where a journalist was searching for Polish roots among famous Americans. He thought one of them might be my relative. I watched the film by Janusz Andrasz and there I saw my ancestors Maciej Kaczmarek (1817–1903) and his wife Marianna Kaczmarek (née Radom) (1812–1879).
It turns out they are also the ancestors of Nicolas Cage, Christopher Coppola, and Marc Coppola! With Anna Kaczmarek (married name Siputa, 1886–1976), Nicolas Cage’s great-grandmother, already in my tree, everything else fell into place. I added details of her husband, Andrew Siputa, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, using archives, the internet, and, of course, MyHeritage. I even tried to contact Nicolas Cage’s family through various channels to share the exciting news, but unfortunately, without success so far.
Ireneusz’s connection to Nicolas Cage
My family, understandably, doesn’t always share my intense interest in genealogy, but I’m doing my best to get them hooked! I’ve even funded DNA testing for key branches of the family, which has been immensely helpful, especially for those relatives who are no longer with us — their DNA remains! My family tree is now incredibly vast, and sometimes the system struggles to generate new descendants due to its size, but it’s a small price to pay for the incredible discoveries.
This has been an incredible journey of discovering who I am, where I come from, and the remarkable stories woven into my very being. If you’ve ever considered researching your family history, I wholeheartedly recommend MyHeritage. You never know what amazing connections you might uncover!
Many thanks to Ireneusz for sharing his amazing discoveries with us! If you’ve also made some incredible discoveries with MyHeritage, we’d love to hear about it. Please share it with us via this form or email us at stories@myheritage.com.
The post Polish Mushroom Farmer Discovers He’s Related to Nicolas Cage and Other Famous People Through MyHeritage appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Are Nicknames Significant in Genealogy?
2025. augusztus 6., szerda 12:01:16
When my friend Dani first started researching her family tree, she kept hitting a wall with her great-grandfather “Sonny.” That was the only name anyone in the family used — it was on birthday cards, in stories, and even on his gravestone. But when she searched census records and ship manifests, there was no “Sonny” to be found. Only later did she discover his real name was Salvatore, and “Sonny” was simply what everyone had called him since childhood. That small breakthrough opened up generations of Italian records she’d thought were lost, a powerful reminder that the smallest clues can open the biggest doors in family history.
Nicknames might seem like a minor detail, but in genealogy, they can be the key that unlocks entire branches of your family tree.
Tools like Smart Matches and Global Name Translation Technology on MyHeritage can help identify name variants and nicknames across different languages and historical contexts.
Nicknames play a bigger role in family history than most people realize. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Genealogical research is about connecting with the past — and nicknames are one of the most humanizing, emotional pieces of that puzzle. They reveal affection, identity, and sometimes even status. You may discover that “Bud” wasn’t just someone’s casual alias but a name that appears in military records or property deeds. Or that “Kit” was short for Christopher — a common usage that doesn’t show up in modern baby name lists.
In short, nicknames can help you bridge gaps in the official record and confirm identities in tricky-to-trace lines.
Nicknames aren’t always obvious. Some are short forms, some are translations, and others are completely unrelated to the birth name. Understanding their patterns can help you search more effectively. Here are some of the most common nickname types you’ll encounter in genealogical records:
If you’re hitting a dead end in your research, try using name variants and diminutives in your search terms. You can also explore name equivalency tools to uncover foreign-language versions of common names.
When you suspect a nickname might be hiding someone’s formal name, follow these steps:
Nicknames are often the clues that connect memory to record, and they can lead to key discoveries. They tell us how someone was known, loved, and remembered by those closest to them. So when you see a “Sis,” “Bud,” or “Chick” on a record, don’t dismiss it — chase it. That trail just might lead you back to the full story.
Ready to explore hidden clues in your family tree? Search billions of historical records on MyHeritage to uncover name variants and nicknames.
Want to explore more naming patterns and how they affect your search? Check out Essential Information to Include in a Family Tree — it’s full of tips to help you understand how ancestors passed down names across generations and cultures.
Most legal records (birth, marriage, immigration) required formal names, so nicknames were typically used in personal or social settings — but they can sometimes sneak into census or obituary records.
Yes. Sites like MyHeritage often recognize equivalents or offer smart matching tools. You can also consult name equivalency lists for different languages.
Some nicknames, like Peggy for Margaret or Dick for Richard, evolved over centuries through linguistic shifts, rhyming, or cultural patterns.
Try using it in newspaper archives or family trees. Then look for clues (like sibling names or birth years) that connect it to a formal name.
Definitely. A nickname like Paco (for Francisco) may only make sense in Spanish-speaking regions. Always consider linguistic and regional contexts when researching.
The post Are Nicknames Significant in Genealogy? appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
MyHeritage Adds 94 Million Historical Records in July 2025
2025. augusztus 5., kedd 13:13:24
In July 2025, MyHeritage published 94 million historical records across 13 new and updated collections. These collections are from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Finland and Switzerland. The collections include census records, birth marriage and death records, tax records and newspaper pages. Many of these collections feature images.
Search them to discover a family treasure!
Here are more details about each of the collections added.
CollectionDescription Number of RecordsLink to Search Finland, Population Tax Lists, 1920An index of population tax records from Finland, from 1920. Records typically include the name of the individual, year of birth, relatives in the household and the place of residence.1,610,047 recordsSearch collection now Germany Newspapers from OldNews.comAn index of historical national, regional and local newspapers, periodicals and gazettes from Germany was created using MyHeritage’s advanced optical character recognition (OCR) of articles primarily focused from the mid 1700s to mid 1900s. 2,640,408 pages added for a total of 20,930,073 pagesSearch collection now Germany, World War I Prisoners of War and Internees, 1914-1918An index of records of German military personnel and civilians who were taken as prisoners of war (POWs) or interned during World War I, between 1914 and 1918. 4,366,615 recordsSearch collection now Nordic Newspapers from OldNews.comAn index of index of historical local, regional and national newspapers, periodicals and gazettes comes from the Nordic nations and territories of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland Greenland, Finland and the Faroe Islands.2,192,570 pages added for a total of 13,731,910 pagesSearch collection now Spain Newspapers from OldNews.comAn index of of historical national, regional and local newspapers and gazettes from Spain was created using MyHeritage’s advanced optical character recognition (OCR) of articles primarily focused from the late 1600s to early 2000s.807,332 pages added for a total of 15,679,720 pagesSearch collection now 1940 Sweden CensusAn index of the 1940 census records from Sweden.5,845,490 recordsSearch collection now Switzerland, Vaud, Civil Registration BirthsAn index of birth records from Vaud, Switzerland, from 1876 onwards. 510,017 recordsSearch collection now Switzerland, Vaud, Civil Registration Deaths, 1821-1959An index death records from Vaud, Switzerland, between the years 1821 and 1959. 2,224,957 recordsSearch collection now Switzerland, Vaud, Civil Registration of Marriages and Banns 1817 - 1929An index of records of banns and marriages from Vaud, Switzerland, between the years 1817 and 1929.2,162,028 recordsSearch collection now United Kingdom, Names & Stories in Newspapers from OldNews.comAn index of records of names, events, and stories, found in newspapers from the United Kingdom on OldNews.com. The records were extracted from the newspaper articles using advanced AI technology developed by MyHeritage.16,746,714 records added for a total of 787,038,681 recordsSearch collection now United Kingdom Newspapers from OldNews.comThis index of historical local, regional and national British newspapers, periodicals and gazettes includes advanced optical character recognition (OCR) of articles dating back to 1665. 100,831 pages added for a total of 12,078,898 newspaper pagesSearch collection now Names & Stories in Newspapers from OldNews.com (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi)An index of names, events, and stories, found in newspapers from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi on OldNews.com.54,086,386 records added for a total of 712,396,802 recordsSearch collection now United States Newspapers from OldNews.comAn index of historical national, regional, and local newspapers, periodicals, and gazettes from United States has been created with MyHeritage's advanced optical character recognition (OCR) technology.606,006 pages added for a total of 90,493,360 pagesSearch collection now
This collection contains population tax records from Finland, from 1920. Records typically include the name of the individual, year of birth, relatives in the household and the place of residence. The images in this collection may also include tax information for the household and sourced from the National Archives of Finland (Kansallisarkisto).
Search Finland, Population Tax Lists, 1920
This collection of historical national, regional, and local newspapers, periodicals, and gazettes from Germany was created using MyHeritage’s advanced optical character recognition (OCR) of articles primarily focused from the mid-1700s to mid-1900s. These printed articles feature daily news that may include mentions of relatives, and offer a rich variety of vital record substitutes, such as birth, marriage, and death notices, along with obituaries.
Search Germany Newspapers from OldNews.com
This collection contains records of German military personnel and civilians who were taken as prisoners of war (POWs) or interned during World War I, between 1914 and 1918. Records typically include the individual’s name, date and place of birth, place of residence, date of capture or internment, and the location of the internment or prisoner-of-war camp. Some records may include the rank (if applicable) and internment or capture status.
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This index of historical local, regional, and national newspapers, periodicals, and gazettes comes from the Nordic nations and territories of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland Greenland, Finland and the Faroe Islands. It includes advanced optical character recognition (OCR) of articles dating back to 1666. Newspapers are essential for genealogical research as they can contain rich information about people in a family tree, through stories, obituaries and other vital record substitutes such as birth, marriage, and death notices.
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This collection of historical national, regional, and local newspapers and gazettes from Spain was created using MyHeritage’s advanced optical character recognition (OCR) of articles primarily focused from the late 1600s to early 2000s. In addition to news of the day that may contain names of relatives, they contain a wide range of vital record substitutes such as birth, marriage, death notices and obituaries.
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This collection contains the 1940 Census records from Sweden. Records typically include names, date and place of birth, relatives in the household, and residence information. Additional details can be found on each record’s associated image.
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This collection contains birth records from Vaud, Switzerland, from 1876 onwards. Records typically include the name of the child, the date and place of birth and the names of the parents.
Switzerland, Vaud, Civil Registration Births
This collection contains death records from Vaud, Switzerland, between the years 1821 and 1959. Records typically include the name of the deceased, date and place of birth, date and place of death, and the names of the parents and spouse.
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This collection contains records of banns and marriages from Vaud, Switzerland, between the years 1817 and 1929. Records typically include the names of the groom and the bride, their date and place of birth, their place of residence, their date and place of marriage or marriage bann and the names of their parents.
Search Switzerland, Vaud, Civil Registration of Marriages and Banns 1817 – 1929
This collection contains records of names, events, and stories found in newspapers from the United Kingdom on OldNews.com. The records were extracted from the newspaper articles using advanced AI technology developed by MyHeritage.
Records typically include the name of the individuals mentioned, the relationships between the individuals, the newspaper name, the publication place and date, and a snippet of text from the newspaper containing the reference. Records may include events such as birth and marriage announcements, obituaries, public achievements, business events, and more. Records often include additional details such as residence, occupation, and associated locations or institutions. Every record includes a useful summary of the article, generated automatically by AI.
Search United Kingdom, Names & Stories in Newspapers from OldNews.com
This index of historical local, regional, and national British newspapers, periodicals, and gazettes includes advanced optical character recognition (OCR) of articles dating back to 1665. Newspapers are an essential resource for genealogy and family history research as they can contain rich information about people in a family tree, through obituaries, announcements, and local news.
Search United Kingdom Newspapers from OldNews.com
This collection contains records of names, events, and stories found in newspapers from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi on OldNews.com. The records were extracted from the newspaper articles using advanced AI technology developed by MyHeritage.
Search Names & Stories in Newspapers from OldNews.com (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi)
This collection of historical national, regional, and local newspapers, periodicals, and gazettes from the United States has been created with MyHeritage’s advanced optical character recognition (OCR) technology. Covering a period from the late 1700s to the late 1900s, these printed articles feature daily news that may include mentions of relatives, and offer a rich variety of vital record substitutes, such as birth, marriage, and death notices, along with obituaries.
Search United States Newspapers from OldNews.com
One interesting record in the newly added 1940 Sweden Census features Theodor Svedberg, a renowned Swedish chemist and Nobel laureate. In the 1940 census, Svedberg is recorded as living at Kemikum (the Department of Chemistry at Uppsala University) in Uppsala Domkyrka, Uppsala, where he was a central figure in the academic community.
Born in 1884, Svedberg devoted his career to advancing the field of physical chemistry. At Uppsala University, where he began as a young assistant and later became Professor of Physical Chemistry in 1912, he conducted groundbreaking research on colloids and proteins. His most celebrated invention, the analytical ultracentrifuge, allowed scientists to measure the size and weight of macromolecules with unprecedented precision. This innovation played a key role in the development of molecular biology and earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1926.
Source: OldNews.com, The Askov American, November 18, 1926.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Svedberg demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting research in Sweden. Following his Nobel win, he famously declined an offer for a professorship at the University of Wisconsin, choosing instead to channel his Nobel funds into advancing scientific work in his home country. He continued to lead research at Uppsala until 1949 and later directed the Gustaf Werner Institute until 1967.
We hope these valuable collections help you make new discoveries in your family history research. Searching the collections on MyHeritage is free. To view the records or to save records to your family tree, you’ll need a Data, Complete, or Omni plan.
For newspaper collections from OldNews.com, an Omni plan, or an OldNews Pro plan, is required to view the full newspaper images on OldNews.com.
If you have a family tree on MyHeritage, our Record Matching technology will notify you automatically if records from these collections match your relatives. You’ll then be able to review the record and decide if you’d like to add the new information to your family tree.
Enjoy the new collections!
The post MyHeritage Adds 94 Million Historical Records in July 2025 appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Being French: Traditions and Genealogy
2025. augusztus 5., kedd 7:22:55
French ancestry involves a rich cultural identity focused on strong family ties, traditions, and the land itself. When you begin to dive deeper into your genealogical research, you will discover amazing celebrations, foods, art styles, and more to share with your family. These deep connections are what keep cultures alive even when your ancestors migrated to another part of the world. Have you ever wondered what your French last name really means? Discover the traditions your ancestors celebrated, from festive meals to colorful folk art and music.. Exploring your French heritage opens the door to a world as vibrant and diverse as France itself.
If you go back far enough in history during your genealogical research, you will find no French surnames at all. Most early ones focused on location, the first name of the paternal ancestor, biblical names, or descriptive ones. They were used to differentiate many people of the same name as they came together in more populated areas like cities. Migration to new countries may have changed them in subtle ways, especially when coming to the new world where records were not always kept well and clerks might not have been able to spell the unknown names.
Popular ones include Dumont, which means from the hill, Bernard, from first names meaning strong bear, Legrand, or the tall one, and Boucher, or butcher. Aristocratic ones often used the prefix ‘du’ or ‘de’ as in du Pont or de Gaulle.
Many people think of fancy restaurants and fussy five-star dishes when they think of French cuisine. While it has become a standard of fine dining around the world, those dishes are far removed from what the ordinary people ate long ago. While French haute cuisine is renowned, many traditional family dishes were simpler and grounded in local ingredients.
Popular options include coq au vin, which is chicken with wine, mushrooms, and onions; cassoulet, a casserole with beans, sausage, and traditionally duck; ratatouille, a vegetable dish with zucchini, eggplant, and tomato; and bouillabaisse, a fish stew from the coastal regions. Whether your ancestors came from coastal villages or inland farms, wine often played a quiet but steady role in daily life, a tradition that continues today.
While many modern-day French holidays focus on political or social changes, others relate to the Christian calendar. Far back in history, things looked a bit different. While religious celebrations for Christmas and Easter were commonly celebrated, there are also some folk events related to harvest time. Like in many European nations, very old traditions were changed with the growth of Christianity, such as the Feast of Saint John integrating with traditional midsummer celebrations.
The realm of creative work throughout France undoubtedly influenced the past times and pleasures of every part of your family tree. While most everyday people may not have had much interaction with the popular works of Manet, Monet, and Degas or listened to Chopin or Debussy in person, the rich heritage of art, music, and craft infiltrated French life in other ways, too. Perhaps they were fans of opera and ballet, two artistic offerings famously grown in France.
Folk art was different. It featured colorful paintings of countryside scenes and elements found there like plants, birds, and farmers. Rural artists decorated functional objects like wooden boxes, architecture elements, ceramics, and even basketry. These colors and designs are reflected in historical clothing, too, with heavy embroidery and lace on the fancier options.
Taking a peek through the past is one of the most amazing parts of researching genealogy and a family’s historical roots. While studying the masters can give a great indication of the highest echelons of art and music from the place where your ancestors lived, it says less about their day-to-day lives. For that, you can look deeper into the specific towns, jobs, and migration patterns. This brings you closer to the type of understanding that really matters.
Start building your French family tree at MyHeritage and bring your heritage to life today.
Begin with stories and documents from older relatives. Then, use MyHeritage’s vast collection of historical records and family tree tools to uncover your French roots.
Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood is the national motto of France. It reflects the same traditional values found throughout time. Your ancestors undoubtedly had strong family ties and, although many value privacy, good connections with their communities as well.
Crepes top the list of classic dishes to try. These thin, eggy pancakes don’t need any complex ingredients and can be filled with sugar, fruit, or even savory ingredients. Peach Melba is a more recent creation that’s also easy to create. Just put peaches and raspberry sauce over vanilla ice cream.
Clothing through the decades followed conventional styles of the rest of Europe. If you look far back to folk costumes, sturdy fabrics accented by embroidery and lace were quite common.
Learn a few words in French. Try out some arts and crafts with traditional patterns. Listen to French folk music or classical songs from later periods. Drink a glass of wine. There are so many options to try when you want to bring the past into the present and pass it down to future generations.
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Don’t Miss the August Cyber Sale: Lowest Price of the Year on MyHeritage DNA Kits
2025. augusztus 4., hétfő 11:30:20
The August Cyber Sale is here — and with it, your chance to get MyHeritage DNA kits at the lowest price of the year. There’s no better time to stock up, especially as we head into the holiday season.
The holidays are the most popular time for DNA testing, and with demand soaring every year, ordering early ensures you’re ready with the perfect, meaningful gift for loved ones.
Each DNA kit adds a new piece to your family’s story:
More Matches, More Discoveries: A sibling or cousin may unlock connections you couldn’t find alone.
Unique DNA, Unique Insights: Every family member carries different genetic clues to your shared past.
Preserve Generational Knowledge: Testing older relatives today helps protect their heritage for tomorrow.
With the lowest price of the year, there’s no reason to wait. Order now, avoid holiday shipping delays, and ensure you’re ready to give the gift of discovery — one that will be cherished for generations.
Celebrate the season of giving by sharing the gift of family history.
Shop the August Cyber Sale today
The post Don’t Miss the August Cyber Sale: Lowest Price of the Year on MyHeritage DNA Kits appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Being Norwegian: Traditions and Genealogy
2025. augusztus 4., hétfő 9:25:15
For families with roots in the Scandinavian country of Norway, historical research can lead you to many different cultural practices, traditions, and cultural experiences. Discover if your ancestors came from a fishing village near a fjord or a busy city like Oslo. Explore their everyday rhythms and movements over time to learn about the things that influenced your family’s past.
Best of all, let the genealogical research bring you in touch with a rich cultural identity and plenty of celebrations, unique foods, and art styles to share with your children to carry on the Norwegian heritage to a new generation. These experiences offer a richer connection to your past than names and dates alone.
Using MyHeritage’s genealogy platform, you can uncover the everyday traditions that shaped your Norwegian ancestors’ lives.
Paternal lineage mostly defines Norwegian surnames in the early years. The naming trend continues today throughout Scandinavia and nearby Iceland. Therefore, the suffixes ‘sen’ and ‘son’ are quite commonly found. Girls would get the suffixes ‘datter’ or ‘dotter’ for daughter. The straight passing on of hereditary surnames became much more common in the 1860s, which was exacerbated by the much more common shift from rural villages to cities.
The most common last names in Norway are Hansen, Johansen, Olsen, Larsen, and Andersen, all which share the ‘sen’ paternal suffix. Most other endings come from geographical elements like hills (berg), streams (bekk), knolls (knaus), and farms (gard).
Norway’s long coastline and cold waters made seafood a staple in traditional diets. In the interior, they would have hunted deer and moose among smaller game, and sheep quickly became the most common stock animal on farms.
Since the summer growing season is considerably shorter than in more southerly nations, most produce consists of fruit, berries, and root vegetables. Potato flatbreads took the place of grain loaves, although flour-based Christmas cookies were a popular treat traditionally.
Christmas Eve is more commonly observed than the morning, other than for religious ceremonies. Other Christian holidays are also quite popular such as St. Olaf’s Day in July, Carnival Sunday, and St. Lucia Day in early December. Norwegian Constitution Day on May 17th has occurred every year since 1814. There were undoubtedly smaller celebrations further back in history that aligned with the agricultural seasons.
For example, pagan Blots were held seasonally to make sacrifices to Norse gods in order to ensure good harvest, catches, and general fertility. Midsummer bonfires were quite popular and intended to ward off evil spirits. If you trace your family back to Viking origins, you will find other clan or location specific practices to learn about.
Historical arts and crafts all came from a place of practicality. Knitting was common, which makes sense due to the need for warm clothing and the large flocks of sheep in the countryside. Beyond sturdy and warm everyday use, however, Norway offers a colorful and diverse range of styles when it comes to folk art and clothing. Hardanger embroidery mimics the bold colors and unique styles of rosemaling, a stylized floral painting style. You will find a lot of flowers, fruit, and fish in the decorations.
Traditional costumes are called Bunad, and each region has slightly different ones. On top of a skirt or trousers of black or dark blue, a snowy white shirt is worn. This relatively simple style is then decorated beautifully with brightly colored stitching and red trim and tassels. As diverse as Scottish tartans, Norway now recognizes over 450 Bunad varieties in their country.
Exploring your family’s roots in Norway involves collecting records and official documentation of life events, but it should also include a deeper understanding of how they lived long ago. When you cook a traditional dish or try your hand at knitting or embroidery, you carry on these traditions into the modern age. They help families stay connected to each other and the past.
Start exploring your Norwegian heritage today.
Begin your deep dive into your ancestors from Norway with a search through MyHeritage records. This will bring you official government and religious documents for births, marriages, and deaths that can help fill in the gaps in your family tree.
Yes. It’s quite easy to try knitting or Norwegian style embroidery with a few simple materials from the local craft store. Other options are painting in the folk art style.
Yes. Farikal, a mutton and cabbage stew, has been the official dish since 2014. It reflects the pastoral and agricultural history of the country. Other famous options include lutefisk, or dried whitefish or cod.
It might have contributed to their last name in the early years. Of course, it also affected the commonly eaten foods and even the celebrations past ancestors shared. When you can pinpoint the region more precisely, it helps you to envision exactly how they lived on a day-to-day basis.
With MyHeritage DNA’s Genetic Groups, you can discover whether your roots trace back to a specific region of Norway, helping you understand the traditions your ancestors followed.
Hei means hello. Ha det means goodbye. Say takk as thank you. Ja and nei are the Norwegian words for yes and no. While the language has many accents and some letters you may not recognize, it can still be fun learning a few basic words and phrases with your family.
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