Free Genealogy Sites and Other Goodies!

Free Genealogy Websites

FamilySearch

You've heard of the Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and their mammoth collection of genealogical data - right? If not, beat a path to their website and search the 1 billion names for your ancestors. As far as free genealogy sites go, its amazing!

One word of caution. Always check the source citation and examine the original documents when possible. The information found on the Mormons' free genealogy sites has been transcribed by a legion of volunteers and errors do occur.

For more information on this great site click on this link:

FamilySearch review

RootsWeb

This is the grandaddy of free genealogy sites. Its been around since the dawn of internet genealogy. The WorldConnect Project is the place to search thousands of family trees. There are over 400 million names in this database! The RootsWeb Surname List is a database of over one million surnames submitted by researchers like yourself. Rootsweb is also a place you can contact other genealogists through online forums and mailing lists.

Ancestry

You've probably already heard of the amazing resources available at Ancestry. What's even more amazing is that you can actually view images of the original records. Of course, you're probably wondering why I'm including this resource in my list of free genealogy sites. Afterall, don't you have to pay 300 dollars for a subscription? You do, but if you visit a Family History Center (Mormons)you can get access for free! Also check with the librarian at your local library to see if they subscribe. Or nab a fellow genealogist or two and split the fees.

USGenWeb

The motto of this amazing website is: "Keeping Internet Genealogy Free". If you're ancestors lived in the United States this should be your first stop.

Ellis Island

If your ancestor came to North America between 1892 and 1924 this database of over 21 million immigrants who landed at the Port of New York should be the first place you begin your research. Check it out!

National Archives of Canada

If your ancestors lived in Canada, there are a number of free genealogy databases on this website that can help. Click on the link that reads: "Canadian Genealogy Centre". Some of the data you can search includes:

FreeBMD

If your ancestors lived in England this great site allows you to search for birth, marriage and death records.

FreeCEN

A sister to the database noted above this great resource allows you to search England census records for 1841-1891.

FreeReg

As of April 2007 this database holds over 1,700,630 records of baptisms, marriages and deaths found in various county records for England. An amazing resource!

These free genealogy sites are a great starting point for your research. However, always remember to verify the information you find. Most of what appears on the internet has been transcribed by volunteers or uploaded by interested parties whose research methods may not always be reliable. Return to Home Page from Free Genealogy Sites