Hey guys...where can I find my family history?

Question

I have the surname Swanepoel....and NONE of the websites have my surname, it either doesnt exist or isnt in the database. PLEASE help!?

Answer 1

go to www.familytree.com

Answer 2

Hey Stevo,

There are 108 entries at Family Search.com. Many from South Africa, but the origin is Dutch. Here is the oldest entry on a cursory glance:
58. Pieter Swanepoel - International Genealogical Index / CE
Gender: Male Birth: About 1692 , , Netherlands


James P. Wolf of Swyrich.com says:

"Origin: Dutch

Spelling variations of this family name include: Swanepoel, Swanpool, Swaen, Swaenpoel and others.

First found in Holland, where the name originated. During the Middle Ages, it was a common practice to refer to a new resident of a village by the name of his hometown; thus, it is possible that the progenitor of the name was a native of the town of Swanepoel who had settled in another region.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jan Swaen, who arrived in New Netherlands in 1663; as well as Juliana Swaenepoel, who arrived in America from Belgium, through Ellis Island in 1920. "