Words+to+Know

//Sometimes while you're researching your family, you might come across a word you don't know. Here are a few definitions that might be helpful to you.//

**Ancestor**: A person from whom one is descended. Your grandparents and great-grandparents are your ancestors.

**Census**: An official count of people in an area.

**Deed**: A record of the transfer of real property (like land or a house) from one person to another.

**Document**: An official certificate or other written-down information saying that something is true under the law.

**Given Name**: Also known as a person's first name.

**Heritage**: Something that is handed down from earlier generations or from the past; tradition.

**Maiden Name**: A woman's last name before she was married.

**Surname**: A person's last name or family name.

**Vital Records**: A record of a birth, marriage, or death.

//These definitions came from the Houston Public Library's Kid's Geneaology web site. Visit the [|definitions page] for more words you might find as you research your family history.//