What is behind names.com?
The Family Name Histories, and other heritage related items, promoted by names.com are created by The Historical Research Center and this respected research facility stands behind the authenticity of all its work including individual research.
The work of the Historical Research Center (“HRC”) began over 20 years ago with a project to research the history of Family Names from around the world. Today its headquarters in Florida supplies clients in the USA and other countries. But even so these products remain exclusive and are nowhere near saturated. HRC likes to say that they have only “scratched the surface” of available potential.
HRC has the most extensive working facility of its kind in the world, with a library of original books and manuscripts dating back to the 1600’s, along with documents dating from even earlier centuries. The HRC library includes reference books relating to people in history, passenger lists of old sailing ships and immigrant lists, all of which are used to do detailed research and collect information about names and people in history who bore those names. Archives contain information on millions of names from around the world. Many of the books are written in the language particular to the region of origin that they cover. Family Name Histories are individually researched from documented sources. All research is original and every scrap of historical data can be proved as authentic by producing the source references.
The United States has always been the melting pot of the world, however the last twenty five years have seen people in many countries develop a completely different attitude about who they are. Instead of trying to hide their ancestry by sliding inconspicuously into the melting pot, they now display a newfound pride in their roots. People are now proud to display their ancestral nationality. The HRC databases of Family Name Histories and Coats of Arms truly reflect these multi-national ancestries, and HRC histories reflect origins and data from all around the planet. Some names on their databases refer to the names of countries and locations that have changed names over the centuries and people are truly amazed that they can find information about their heritage.
Over the years, HRC has built a unique database of Family Name Histories. In this database they have compiled detailed and accurate historical backgrounds covering over 1 million family names, including their meaning, origin and reference to them in history. All are carefully recorded and can be printed in the form of a Family Name History scroll in moments. Clients are always fascinated to learn something about the history of their family name. And, everyone with a name is a potential client.
HRC has developed a computerized graphic arts database, which has the ability to reproduce full color Coats of Arms, and crests in the vivid colors originally used hundreds of years ago. Though many people think that Coats of Arms (sometimes referred to as Family Crests) were only granted to nobility, HRC can actually find this fascinating insignia for more than ninety percent of all names submitted. These impressive graphics can be incorporated into products customized for the client. Examples include hand embroidered Coats of Arms, hand painted plaques, jewelry, timepieces and apparel.
