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The Best Sites for Family Ancestry
by Andrea Buckner Schoenherr
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The Internet can provide a wealth of resources for a family historian seeking to learn more about his family's ancestors. However, with millions of Web sites devoted to family ancestry, it is difficult to know where to begin. Fortunately, there are sites that are considered top-notch by professional genealogists and family historians alike. While some require a subscription, many are available for free. The information on these top-notch sites is constantly changing and growing, making them worth revisiting.
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Ancestry.com
This is the most used genealogical Web site due to the large amount of data available. While the site does require a paid subscription, free trials are available and the local library may have a subscription. The Web site is easy to navigate and lets you organize copies of the digital records that are of interest to you. Also, you can connect with other members who have created family trees to share.
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RootsWeb.Ancestry.com
This free, volunteer division of Ancestry.com has two main purposes -- allowing family historians to share their research and also to connect with others. Submit your own transcribed information to connect with distant relatives. You can join a mailing list that allows you to connect with other users who have similar interests. Detailed message boards are also available. In addition, you can build your own free family ancestry Web site through RootsWeb.
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CyndisList.com
Cyndi's List of genealogical Web sites does not offer you data on your family ancestors, but it provides you with the specific references and know-how you need. There are over a quarter of a million credible links that are categorized. If you need to know how to analyze or find a particular type of record, Cyndi's List allows you to quickly access the information.
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FamilySearch.org
Created by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this free Web site allows you to quickly search for records for your family's ancestors. Volunteers around the world work to transcribe a variety of records: census data, the U.S. Social Security Death Index and user-created ancestral files.
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USGenWeb.org
This site is your gateway to local connections when researching your family ancestry. Links are available to state and county record offices and genealogical associations. The amount of information you will find depends on the volunteers from the area you are researching. Possible finds are cemetery records, census records, local histories, photographs and local court records.
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EllisIsland.org
No other Web site allows you to search for passenger lists from Ellis Island from after 1890. Enter an ancestor's name to find a transcribed copy of her passenger list information. The original ship manifest includes additional information like health condition, description, place of birth, relatives in the United States and final destination. You can also view an image of the ship she traveled on.
