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What are surname distribution patterns?

U.S. Surname Distribution

If you're having trouble determining what state your ancestors may have come from, or what their migration route may have been, a study of surname distribution patterns is often helpful.

Here's a nifty little site that can help you narrow down the search for your ancestors by using the distribution patterns of their last name!

You can see how common your surname was in each state in 1850, 1880, 1920, and 1990.

www.progenealogists.com/surnamestudy.html

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