*Have you taken a DNA test already? Here’s how you can download your raw DNA data files from 23andMe, Ancestry, and MyHeritage so that you can upload them to sites like Genomelink and get more value from the same DNA test.
How to Research Your Family History: 10 Best Ancestry Sites
Introduction
Are you interested in learning about your ancestors but feel unsure how to begin? Learning how to research your family history is easier than you might think.
Today, many people use genealogy websites to access genealogical records like census records, death certificates, and military records. You can also find best free genealogy websites offering free genealogy search features.
By exploring these resources, you’ll uncover fascinating stories about your family members and preserve them for future generations.
This guide helps you start your genealogy research. You will learn to create a simple family tree chart. You can also join a global family tree project, all while keeping costs low.
1. Start with What You Have
Before you dive into free genealogy sites, gather any documents at home. These might include birth or death certificates, wedding announcements, photos, or details from funeral homes. Chat with older family members to see if they recall names, dates, or places. A few casual conversations can reveal insights you never knew.
2. Create a Simple Family Tree Chart
A simple family tree chart helps you see how different family members connect. You can sketch it on paper or use a family tree app. Start by listing your own details, then proceed to your parents, grandparents, and each earlier generation. This overview shows where you lack information, guiding your genealogy and family searches later.
3. Explore the Best Free Genealogy Websites
Below are some of the top sites for free genealogy:
- Global resource with billions of genealogical records.
- Allows users to collaborate on a global family tree project.
- Offers free indexes of census records, military records, and more.
- Central hub for official historical documents in the U.S.
- Hosts scanned files like immigration forms and military service records.
- Many records are available at no cost online.
- Volunteer-driven, focuses on local counties and states.
- Helpful for unique local data, such as cemetery lists or old land maps.
- Often linked to community-based genealogy websites.
- Advocates for open data, releasing new archives like marriage or death records.
- This resource is particularly helpful if you cannot find certain records on other platforms.
- Free database of historic newspapers—great for death notices, engagement news, and local events.
- Perfect for adding stories and personal details to your genealogy research.
4. Use Key Record Types for Genealogy Research
Each record type offers unique clues about your family members:
- Census Records
Show family sizes, addresses, and job titles. By comparing multiple years, you can trace family moves or changes in occupations. - Military Records
Uncover enlistment dates, units, and possible war experiences. Examine any medals or awards that could reveal significant milestones in an ancestor’s life. - Death Certificates
May list burial sites, parents’ names, or causes of death. Check if the certificate reveals new leads on spouses or other relatives. - Immigration Documents
Pin down arrival dates, ports of entry, and traveling companions. These details can confirm family lore or stories told by older relatives.
5. Join a Global Family Tree Project
Many genealogy websites let you add your family lines to a shared tree. When you enter ancestor details, the site checks its database for overlaps. This can reveal distant cousins who have uploaded the same name or region. Working together, you can fill gaps and avoid repeating the same searches.
6. Try a Family Tree App or DNA—Starting Free
Try a simple family tree tool to keep your information organized. You can tag photos, attach scanned documents, and update facts whenever you find something new. If you’re considering DNA:
- Use a Relative’s Results
A cousin or sibling who tested might share matches that link to your side of the family. This can happen without you buying your own kit. - Look for Promotions
DNA companies often run discounts, letting you sample certain features. If finances are tight, focus first on free record-based genealogy research.
7. Visit Local Genealogical Societies
Local genealogical societies often hold archives not available online. They may keep old church registries, county maps, or diaries. Volunteering or attending meetings can also connect you with seasoned researchers who love to help.
8. Save Your Work for Future Generations
As a family historian, consider your grandchildren or great-grandchildren, who might one day want these records. Store your files in several locations or use a secure cloud-based service to protect your data. Label each file so anyone can understand the content. Share printed copies with relatives, or store documents in acid-free boxes to protect them.
Conclusion
You can explore the best free genealogy websites or check local archives. Either way, you’ll discover many ways to learn about your family’s past. You can find interesting details about your ancestors by using free genealogy search tools. Look at census records and review historical documents.
Maintain a simple family tree chart, ask family members for stories, and embrace local genealogical societies for unique resources. Each clue you gather adds depth to your heritage—and ensures your family research lives on for generations to come. We hope your research goes well.
