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Zelem Family History

Zelem Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Zelek, Helm, Zeller, Elam, Mele, Zeier, Salem, Velez, Elm, Hellem

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Zelem family from?

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Zelem surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What Zelem family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 109 census records available for the last name Zelem. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Zelem census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Zelem

Passenger Lists

There are 82 immigration records available for the last name Zelem. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

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Draft Cards

There are 49 military records available for the last name Zelem. For the veterans among your Zelem ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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You've only scratched the surface of Zelem family history

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What is the average Zelem lifespan?

Between 1971 and 2003, in the United States, Zelem life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1999, and highest in 1995. The average life expectancy for Zelem in 1971 was 61, and 82 in 2003.

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Zelem ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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