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Best Free Family History Websites

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Once upon a time, tracing my family history meant taking a trip down to my local library to dig through index cards, census records and newspapers on microfiche. It was an arduous task, to say the least! Much more fun were the afternoons spent listening to my family elders talk and trying to pick up as much information as I could. I’d make scrap books using family letters and photos for hours on end. I’d draw up my family tree using whatever art supplies I could get my hands on. Nowadays, there are a number of free family history websites to make your family genealogy project a breeze.

Family Search

My favorite family history research tool is FamilySearch.org.  Many people mistakenly believe this is only for Latter Day Saints genealogy, but that is simply not true. Anyone and everyone can find information on their family tree here. The existing research may not be as vast as what you’ll find on Ancestry.com, but then again… it’s FREE! You don’t need to sign up to access the records, but if you do, you’ll be able to enjoy added features. For instance, you can:

  • Save & Share Records
  • Add Your Background Information
  • Refine Results By Relationship

With 1 billion records, recently expanded archives and an updated interface, the benefits of Family Search are vast.

Family Search Ancestry

Continue reading about other popular family history websites…

Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com is an extremely popular website and represents the world’s largest collection of ancestral data with over 4 billion records worldwide. You can get a sampling of what they offer through a free 14-day trial, but they’ll ask for your credit card information and you’ll be automatically billed ($22.95/month or $77.70/6 months) when the complimentary trial ends. The site is very user-friendly and provides access to immigration records, census data, military service records, and information from around the world.

genealogy databases

Archives.com

Over 2 billion records — including vital records, obituaries and newspaper clippings — are available on Archives.com. You can sift through the site on a 7-day trial, but it will cost $7.95/month after that. Aside from the ability to construct a genealogy family tree, you can also link the site to Facebook and use the search engine to hunt through historical documents. The easy design and low subscription price makes this site a great value.

family history center

Roots Web

Roots Web is one of the oldest free genealogy sites online. It’s a great place to connect with other researchers and collaborate on your family history project. The search utility isn’t the most thorough, but you’ll be able to find basic birth and death certificates. Most people use this site for the active forums and help guides.

family genealogy sites

The USGen Web Project

This free site is not so much a database, as it is a resource. It’s a good place to begin if you are looking for the geographical regions where your family members lived. This website is completely volunteer-based and only covers information from the United States, but it’s not a bad site to check out if you’ve just started your hunt for information.

family genealogy

Additional Free Genealogy Databases:

A Few Tips For Finding Genealogy Online:

  • Start at home. Before you get too far into the weeds, ask your immediate family members what they know.
  • Crosscheck everything. Just because it’s in the database, doesn’t mean it’s reliable. Verify all info you find!
  • Accept the limitations. Not all records will be available. Conflict, war and privacy may limit what you can unearth.
  • Invite a friend. Kill two birds with one stone and spend some time with a family member or a friend. Embarking upon this journey together will be much more fun and rewarding than doing it yourself.

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