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Question:At amazon.com they have these books called "The____ name in History" You put your last name or any last name in the blank space. They have like 300,000 or so and you can find your last name there! You can't you can even order one in your last name if it isn't there. They are only like $30.00. They go way way back in history sort of like a genealogy. I guess they have this huge data base to look all this info. up.. Do you think it is worth a purchase???


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: At amazon.com they have these books called "The____ name in History" You put your last name or any last name in the blank space. They have like 300,000 or so and you can find your last name there! You can't you can even order one in your last name if it isn't there. They are only like $30.00. They go way way back in history sort of like a genealogy. I guess they have this huge data base to look all this info. up.. Do you think it is worth a purchase???

http://www.cyndislist.com/myths.htm
Just one of many places, where you can get ripped off by persons wanting to make quick money off people that want to have their family history, and buy before they investigate.
You, dear, are ahead of the game because you investigated. Good for you!
Their only data base is the phone book, and old ones at that. I have one on my shelf... given to me by an older relative who thought they were getting something real.
There ARE real family genealogies in print out there. Spend some time with us over here, and we'll help you find your real family history.

Please see the link below from the most prestigious genealogical organization in the U. S., The National Genealogical Society.

http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/comconsumerp...

Peapie-I checked that link Shirley gave you and it is absolutely accurate because some years ago I fell for a similar offer and it is almost exactly what the link described-a plain out and out scam/hoax so please save your money.

I hope many people see your Q here and check that link and don't fall for it. xxxmb

It is a lot more History than genealogy. Genealogy is the tracing of connections. All those books have is a list of famous people with your surname. If your surname was Smith or Johnson, you'd suspect you were not related to all of them. If your surname was Rogolinski you might not have that thought.

People with the same surname aren't necessarily related. 7 out of 8 of your great grandparents were not born with your surname, so, on average, 7/8th of your relatives don't share your surname; 15/16ths if you go back another generation, then 31/32nds, then people start marrying cousins so it gets complicated. The point is, not everyone with your surname is related, and most of your relations don't have your surname.

My name is Ted Pack. I'm no relation to Ted Williams, the late baseball star, or Ted Kennedy, the senator. It would be as silly for me to claim relation to some famous Pack, based on the surname, as it would be to claim relation to the baseball player or senator based on the given name.