Hello, and welcome to the home of one of the largest searchable databases of Potts surnamed individuals in the world, 30,806 of them, who lived in the 16th to early 20th centuries in 29 different countries. Also included in the database content are the spouses of the married individuals for a grand total of over 45,000 persons. Note: In order to overcome possible errors in spelling in old documents and records, and in order to include surname variations which later became Potts, some surnames such as Batz, Bott, Paç, Paetz, Patts, Patz, Pautz, Pitts, Pot, Pott, Potte, Pottes, Potz, Pottz, Putt, Putts, etc., are also included, but no effort was made to make the inclusions exhaustive. The total number of individuals in the database with these name variations is less than 1,100. Most are Pott, found mainly in England and Pennsylvania, and which was often the precursor of the surname Potts.
When I began my family genealogy research in 1992 I soon discovered that there are and were a lot of Pottses in the world, and that there are many different Potts ancestral lines. To facilitate my own Potts research I decided to create a searchable database of Potts individuals who lived in the 16th - 19th centuries. Since that time I have gathered the major Potts-related publications, birth, death, and marriage information, land records, wills, military records, census information, and pedigrees from other researchers. I am still gathering information and adding it to the database, and new revisions of the database will be periodically posted on this and any other affiliated sites. Recently I expanded the entries to include persons who lived in the early 20th century as well. New information comes in all the time, both additions and corrections to the database material. While the bulk of the entries concern individuals who lived in North America (the American Colonies, the United States, and Canada), there is also information on Pottses who lived in countries such as the United Kingdom (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales), Germany, Prussia, Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Yugoslavia, Barbados, Cuba, Australia, New Zealand, and several more countries.
If you are ready to search the Potts Surname Database for your ancestor or whomever, click on the link in this sentence, or the Database Search button at the bottom of this page. You will be directed to the search data entry page. There are currently two search methods available: a site searching package called pico search (which allows you to scroll through alphabeticqally sorted sections of the database), and a Boolean (logical) type search (which allows you to specify search criteria) for individuals. It would be quite helpful if you first print and then carefully read the search instructions and the search hints. The success of your search will depend on how closely you adhere to the instructions and hints. [Improper searches may result in no matches at all, or literally hundreds of matches. Therefore it is important to use good techniques when searching for common names like Ann, Mary, Elizabeth, John, James, Joseph, Thomas, Samuel, William, etc. Complicated searches may take longer but the more you are able to narrow your search criteria (specify more information) the narrower and better the results will be. Be sure that you understand how to effectively use the search wildcard symbol, %.] Caution: for a very few individuals you may find more than one record containing his/her information. When I discovered significant conflicting information regarding an individual that I could not resolve, I created two separate entries for that individual. If you come across two of these perhaps you will be the researcher who will be able to resolve the conflicting information.
Coming soon. There are about 6,000 of these individuals in the Potts Surname Database (and they will remain there for all to see) but if your interest is only in persons born in the U. K. this database will be more convenient.
Over a thousand Potts researchers have contacted me for help or information on their Potts ancestors. I have saved most of their names, email addresses, and their interests, in a database. If you would like to search that list click here. If you are one of the listed researchers, please check to see that your email address is current. If the address is not current please let me know (click on Feedback below) so that I can update it.
There are additional sources of POTTS surname information on the Internet which may aid your research efforts. The sources that I am aware of are listed on a separate POTTS Web Content page. I will try to update this list as time and opportunity permit. On the other hand, if you are aware of a site or resource which is not listed please let me know and I will add it to the present list. Please report any links that don't work.
There is now a four-page DNA section on the site. Learn all about using DNA in genealogical research, how you can be tested yourself, and how you can join and use Potts surname groups to find distant kin.. Check to see if your Y-DNA test results match anyone else in the list provided.
If you are unable to find your Potts ancestor in the database, and you would like me to help search for your ancestor or relative or other Potts family connection, you can contact me at Cy@PottsInfo.com. Just email me the information that you have, including all the specifics, e.g., full names, spouse's name(s), dates, places, siblings, etc., and I will search the database for connections. Please provide as much information as you can, including any available folklore. Sometimes the smallest bit of information leads to a "hit". In the past 18 years I have done this free of charge for over 1,000 Potts researchers. When the search is complete I will advise you via email regarding the result. Sometimes the result is a large list of names and other related information. In this case I will either mail you a copy of the printed database search report and instructions on how to interpret the report, or I will email you the report in your choice of various software-compatible file formats, e.g., Excel, Quattro Pro, Access, Paradox, dBase, etc. All Inquiries are kept on file under the inquirer's name to facilitate repeat inquiries. I also keep a database of Potts research inquirers (which is now available for browsing at this site) so that I can: identify and notify those individuals researching the same Potts line, or update you regarding new information. In order to facilitate both. I urge you to notify me if you change your email address.
The Potts Surname Database
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Copyright © 2007 by Cyrus E. Potts