I have developed a computer program for the genealogy community. This
program, which runs under the Windows operating system, is intended to
assist you in determining a full surname from only a part of the surname.
This software is intended for use when you have a partial surname from
a document that is hard to read or a partial surname from reading a
tombstone or cemetery marker. When you put in the characters you can
figure out, then click Search, the program will create a list of
matching surnames.
This software also helps you to search the web for information on the
surnames it suggests.
I call this program "Surname Findit".
Google Search
After the list is built, you can click on a surname in the list, and
then click on a Search button. A new window will be opened up which
will perform a genealogy search on Google for your surname. You can
choose to do a Google Web Search, Book Search, Image Search, or Blog
Search.
Wider Search
For a wider search, check the Wider Search option, then click on the
Google Search button. A new window will be opened up which will perform
a wider genealogy search on Google for your surname.
Additional Search Terms
You have a dropdown selection list from which you can choose the type
of search you desire to perform. You may choose from Genealogy (a general
search), Birth, Marriage, Death, Census, or Tax List.
You also have two entry fields into which you can put additional search
terms. Add additional search terms to those fields, then click on the
Google Search button to perform the search with the additional terms.
Date Range Search
You may also add a Date Range to your search. If you are interested in
searching from 1900 to 1920, you would put 1900 in the first date range
field, and 1920 in the second. Click on the Google Search button to
perform the search with the addition of a date range.
Download the Program
This program is free to download and try. If you like it, you are
encouraged to make a small donation to support its development.
You can download and install the program by clicking on the button below.
Program Information
The latest version of the program is Version 1.2.
Version 1.2 - 06/11/09 - Updated Screens for Windows XP and Vista users,
Added additional Surnames and User Suggested Surnames
Version 1.1 - 04/28/09 - Add wildcard search capability
Version 1.0 - 04/12/09 - Initial Release
The software is designed to run on both Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Keywords
Genealogy, Surnames, Family Names, Last Names, Misspelled Surnames
About the Author
Matt Combs is a professional software developer and consultant living in
Lewisville, NC. He has been married for 25 years and has 3 daughters. He is
a graduate of Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland with a B.S.
degree in Computer Science and Philosophy. His genealogy interests center
around the COMBS, LYONS, GROVES, and WILSON families of Maryland, Pennsylvania,
West Virginia, and Virginia.
