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- Written by Doug Beezley Doug Beezley
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What is the Beasley Surname Study?
At its core, BSS is a One-Name Study… comprehensive research of the Beasley surname and its variations worldwide. This includes what the surname means, who are the people using the surname, where did they come from and where did they go. The project can include anyone bearing the surname or descended from someone with the surname. What is a One-Name Study? (NOTE: One-Name Study and Surname Study are the same, just different terms.)
What are the different spellings about and what is included?
Many surnames come from a time that spelling was not standardized. The Beasley spelling is the most commonly used worldwide. For our purposes, the most common variations are Beesley, Beazley, and Beezley in the order of prevalence. None of them are “correct” or necessarily “original”. Beasley is headlined ONLY because it is more prevalent. What is a Beasley variant?
So, what does Beasley mean and where does it come from?
On the face of it, one would think that the name had something to do with “bees”. That is possible but, it is thought more likely to be a compound of the Olde English words “beos” meaning “bentgrass” plus “leah” a wood or clearing. Bentgrass, or Agrostis, is a large genus of plants in the grass family. Beesley has been known as a locational name in Lancashire, England.
How common is the Beasley surname and where is it found?
As an English name, Beasley and variations are most common in English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Studies show that the occurrence of the Beasley spelling alone is roughly about 65,000 adults worldwide with about 85,000 including variations. As comprehensive One-Name Studies go, this is quite large.
How does the Beasley Project work?
Aside from the statistical and geographical aspects of the name, the study is about individuals, families and relationships, both past and present. Family lineage trees are built based on the earliest known Beasley ancestor in any line, adding all descendants. The first job is to see that each tree is thorough and correct to the greatest extent possible. Each Lineage Tree is headed by a person for whom parents are not known. There are hundreds of these. Many of them belong together. It’s like putting together huge jigsaw puzzles with pre-assembled sections. Fundamentally, it is about collaboration… finding a way to work together.
What does this mean for me?
The very first thing most people want to know from genealogy is: “Where do I come from?” Or “Who are MY ancestors?” Going back 8 generations, there are as many as 250 surnames. Each surname line ends with ONE person where you are stuck. You’ve probably exhausted all your resources. You have your own box of puzzle pieces and you sorted the pieces many times. Most people don’t have YOUR answer. If it is important enough to get unstuck on THIS ancestor it requires working DIFFERENTLY. It means being willing to work outside of your own box with puzzle pieces that aren’t related to yours.