How can i trace my Genealogy?

Question

My Last name is Meyer, and I live in South Africa. Any websites? please help!!!

Answer 1

Hey Feel Like,

First start with your own birth certificate, it shows your Mother and Father's names and Date of Birth as well as location. Go to the municipal locations (via the web), and get their Birth Certificates. Those will show their parents. Since you are in South Africa with a name like Meyer, I would assume you are of the English branch of Meyer's. There are others, Dutch, and German (see Swyrich.com below).

Family Search.com agrees with Swyrich.com (some German, some English, some Dutch). So, you might find some of the Meyer branch using that site.

If your family has been in South Africa for say, 50 years or so, then your roots will likely trace back to England. The best sites to give you would be English. You may need a few records from South Africa, but most will come from England. Do not forget your Mother's maiden name branch too!

Your Genealogy is the sum of all your contributors, so the answer to you is the same as all people asking this question, do your Family Tree. Get some software to organize your data, and follow one person at a time. Pick a strategy for your project, and enjoy learning who you really are!

Notice there is a GENFORUM for MEYER, these will likely be distant cousins. There are 2 DNA projects with FamilyTreeDNA at the site below. You will need a Male Mayer to get the sample from. (uncle, brother, father).

Start simple, get the basics done first, then branch out.

Answer 2

Here are the major South African websites to assist you with your research:

http://www.genealogyworld.net/

http://www.stamouers.com/

http://www.e-family.co.za/side.htm

http://www.ancestry24.co.za/Ancestry24.aspx?page=content/home

Also do a Google search for NAAIRS - the South African archives.