Getting organized and knowing how to address government agencies and organizations can help you get quicker, more effective results. Family Tree Magazine has created these 61 free genealogy forms that can help you access and organize your family history information. They're available in two formats: text and portable document format...
Yes, free genealogy sites do exist. Here's how to avoid spending money on ancestry research without limiting your tree.
Family Charts and Trees Five-Generation Ancestor Chart by Family Tree Magazine Step-Family Tree by Family Tree Magazine Sibling Tree by Wakefield Family History Sharing 8-Generation …
If you're new to genealogy, you might be feeling overwhelmed. No need. Start with these entry-level genealogy records, and you'll be climbing your tree in no time. I've worked with numerous beginning genealogists, plus I was one 30 years ago. The following record types are the easiest to access and provide many quick wins while building your family tree. While it's tempting to explore all the hints genealogy websites offer, stay focused on these record collections first. Before we begin, make su
Timelines can be among the most eye-opening tools we have at our disposal as family historians and, yet, they are often forgotten.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I have been doing a TON of Amazon shopping thanks to the pandemic and I thought I'd share some of the things I've found for genealogy. I feel like we all have our copy of Evidence Explained and our favorite photo scanner but there are a lot of other things offered on Ama
Looking for free printables to aid in your genealogy research? The right chart, form, template or worksheet can do wonders for any family historian hoping to get organized or trying to break down a frustrating brick wall. Here are 10 places you'll find them for free. Looking for free printables to aid in your genealogy research? The right chart, form, template or worksheet can do wonders for any family historian hoping to get organized or trying to break down a frustrating brick wall. Here are 10 places you'll find them for free.
Digital documents form the backbone of modern genealogy research. The hardest part remains, however, in finding free resources. Luckily, many U.S. states have put a good deal of effort into making their records freely accessible online
Family history research is never complete. There are always more records to be discovered, photos to be identified, and additional connections to uncover. But maybe you’ve reached the point when you want to share what you’ve learned so far. Here are some great options. Family history research is never complete. There are always more records to be discovered, photos to be identified, and additional connections to uncover. But maybe you’ve reached the point when you want to share what you’ve learned so far. Here are some great options.
Spreadsheets are perfect for genealogy research to help organize, manage, and visualize discoveries and progress.
Dig deeper in your research to find hidden gems at these four free and underused genealogy websites.
Record References Don’t waste time searching for records that don’t exist—these cheat sheets list available records and time periods. Here’s a list of the cheat sheets currently available in this category. Check back often as we’ll continue to add new ones. Naturalization Laws Timeline What laws might have affected your...
Discover several systems that can help you organize a mountain of genealogy files before you go crazy.
Looking for free printables to aid in your genealogy research? The right chart, form, template or worksheet can do wonders for any family historian hoping to get organized or trying to break down a frustrating brick wall. Here are 10 places you'll find them for free. Looking for free printables to aid in your genealogy research? The right chart, form, template or worksheet can do wonders for any family historian hoping to get organized or trying to break down a frustrating brick wall. Here are 10 places you'll find them for free.
Uplevel your genealogy research with libraries and archives. Discover the different types of libraries you can use to find family stories, records, and more.
Totally free genealogy websites to help you find your UK ancestors in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Start finding your ancestors the frugal way!
Are you making the most of Google for genealogy research? This post looks at how you can improve your search results and other tools.
With these ancestry research links, I have been able to score some of my favorite archival facts without spending a penny.
Where to find free genealogy books online looks at where you can find free genealogy books and gives some examples of what you can find.
Genealogy Source Checklist - Puget Sound Genealogical Read more about schedules, index, printed, indexes, directories and certificates.
Text in German genealogy records can be difficult. Here are six free websites (plus bonus alphabet chart!) for deciphering Old German script.
Genealogy podcasts are a truly entertaining way to learn more about family history research, but a surprising number of people overlook them. Here's how to take part.
Have you been wondering what you should buy for the family historian on your list this year? We’ve gathered some of the most secretly wished-for genealogy gifts - plus some surprises your roots researcher may not even know she or he wants.
WorldCat can be a valuable tool in your genealogy research. Discover how to use WorldCat to find family histories and other genealogy resources.
Where to find free genealogy books online looks at where you can find free genealogy books and gives some examples of what you can find.
10 Great Free London Genealogy Websites. If you have ancestors who lived or worked in London, here are 10 websites to help with your research.
These translations of common German genealogy terms can be a big help when researching your ancestors.
U.S. Census records offer a unique look into the past and a chance to discover valuable details about your family's history.
Make Instant Discoveries About Your Ancestors Here Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was an online research site that allowed you to easily search for records about your ancestors from repositories across the USA? One that linked to actual records that you could view online? Wouldn’t it be even more wonderful if that site was … How To Quickly Find Free Genealogy Records Through the Digital Public Library of America Read More »
Start with you to build a strong family history foundation, whether you are just starting out or embarking on a genealogy do-over.
These translations of common German genealogy terms can be a big help when researching your ancestors.
These translations of common German genealogy terms can be a big help when researching your ancestors.
These translations of common German genealogy terms can be a big help when researching your ancestors.
Three years ago today, I was diagnosed with cancer. And I only found out at that point because of genealogy. (Details about how that happened are here.) But in retrospect, I could have identified that something was up in my family by looking at death and other records I'd been amassing for years. (And it looks like the family knew something was up years ago, even before genetics' tie to cancer was discovered; a 1955 relative's obituary requested that donations be made to the family's cancer fund.) When you collect those names and dates to populate your family tree, you're also collecting your family's medical history. Look at causes of deaths on death certificates and mentions of places for donations to be given in obituaries. Is there a pattern down one line of your family? Medical Genealogy (no, this isn't my family) It's not just cancer. Heart disease can run in families. So can strokes and aneurysms. Look at your family history. Talk to your doctor. Visit a genetic counselor. You could save your life and give important information to other family members. But with respect to cancer, 1/40 Ashkenazic Jews and a similar number of Sephardic Jews have a BRCA mutation, as do 1/400 of the general population; these mutations can come through either your maternal or paternal side. There are other familial cancer syndromes as well. (A recent study shows the importance of testing for at least the 3 Ashkenazic BRCA founder mutations regardless of family history; details here.) There are people who say that they don't want to know. Your genes are part of you (in fact, they make you you)--whether you know it or not. So why not have that knowledge to be able to act on it to be able to either prevent diseases or catch them earlier than you would have otherwise? Or on the positive side, you could discover that your family's predisposition to a particular disease wasn't passed down to you. I think my story shows that knowledge truly is power. So if you want to give me a cancerversary present (and you know you do), look at your family medical history and act on it. Note: I'm on Twitter. Follow me (@larasgenealogy). Want to get future blog posts emailed to you automatically? Enter your email address:
How to find free Irish vital records shows how the family historian can find and download free historic birth, marriage and death civil registration records for both the North and South of the island of Ireland.
Find your English and Welsh Rural Ancestors with Tithe Maps looks at tithe maps and apportionments which are a valuable resource for anyone researching their English or welsh rural ancestors.
MyHeritage has announced a new genealogy tool that will allow its DNA users to more easily discover how they may be related to their genetic matches. This technology, called the Theory of Family Relativity™, uses family tree information and historical records from a variety of sources to attempt to find and display a common ancestor for matching individuals in the MyHeritage DNA database. MyHeritage has announced a new genealogy tool that will allow its DNA users to more easily discover how they may be related to their genetic matches. This technology, called the Theory of Family Relativity™, uses family tree information and historical records from a variety of sources to attempt to find and display a common ancestor for matching individuals in the MyHeritage DNA database.
It’s every family historian’s dream to devote all of our waking hours to genealogy. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have the luxury of unlimited time - work, family, school, and other obligations often leave little room for hobbies.
The top 10 free British genealogy sites that are essential for researching your British ancestors. Includes some much overlooked ones.
