Free Online Family History Research

Learning about your roots and family history no longer requires sifting through unorganized piles of yellowed papers or endless sheets of microfiche at the library. The internet makes it possible to share databases, archives and official documents with other amateur and professional genealogists, and, best of all, many of these resources are free. Keep reading for advice on beginning or continuing your free online family history research.

Organize information from the beginning

Keeping detailed, organized records of your information is essential. You can write your information out by hand on pedigree charts and organize printed documents in folders, but a simpler solution is to utilize free software expressly for this purpose, such as Legacy, Gramps or Family Tree Builder. Many programs are also available in paid versions that offer even more features. Look for a program that supports the GEDCOM format, which is the standard format for sharing electronic databases with other genealogists. Regardless of which method of organization you use, keeping neat, complete records makes finding pieces of information much easier once you have amassed years of research.

Make connections

Once you have recorded what you already know about your family, you are ready to start your research. You can use search engines, although there are more efficient ways of finding information. Message boards, like those at Ancestry.com, allow you to quickly connect to others searching by location or surname, and may help you find distant relatives with information you can use. Databases of individually-uploaded GEDCOM files, such as the WorldConnect Project at RootsWeb, are another excellent, free source of information about your family.

Search free census records

Online inventories of old census records are available around the web. USGenWeb has easily-searchable archives that are transcribed and maintained by volunteers. Records are not released until a 72-year period has passed, so these sources are ideal for researching older relatives who are possibly deceased.

Tracing your family's roots is a deeply rewarding hobby, and future generations are sure to appreciate the hard work you put into finding and recording the details about your relatives' pasts. The internet makes digging for gems about your ancestors easier than ever before with a huge selection of free resources.

Keeping detailed, organized records of your information is absolutely essential