LibGuides: GENEALOGY: GENEALOGY: Family Tree Websites

GENEALOGY / FAMILY TREE WEBSITE SUGGESTIONS

Top 10 Tips for Beginning Your Family History Research

Start with yourself and work backwards (e.g., parents, grandparents). Write down what you already know about your family. You can use charts such as ancestral charts and family group sheets, which are available to download on Ancestry.com and elsewhere online, or you can create an online family tree at FamilySearch.org, MyHeritage.com, Ancestry.com, or WikiTree.com. Compare options here: The 6 Best Family Tree Software Programs for Genealogy https ://familyhistorydaily.com/genealogy-help-and-how-to/best-family-tree-software/
Interview your relatives. When you have recorded as much as you know about your family, talk to your relatives for additional information. You might discover that others have already researched branches of your family tree. Prepare questions to ask, but also be sensitive to others' reluctance to share information and desire for privacy.
Develop an organization method. Whether using pencil and paper or a software program, you need to organize your information. Find a method that works for you and adhere to it. Get great tips on FamilySearch.org at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Organize_Your_Genealogy or on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/familytreemag/genealogy-organization/
Maintain a focus. It is incredibly easy to become distracted (and quickly overwhelmed) when researching, especially as you find more information about your family. Focusing on one individual or family at a time, however, helps you stay organized and motivated. Set short and long-term goals.
Search census records. Through sites such as Ancestry, Familysearch.org, and MyHeritage.com, you can easily search federal and state census records from 1790 to 1940. Beginning in 1850, you can learn the names of everyone in a particular household, their ages, and where they were born. This will help you clarify the identities of the people you are researching.
Collect vital records (e.g., birth, marriage, death). Websites such as Ancestry make it easy to locate vital records for your ancestors. You may also want to check the websites of state libraries and genealogical and historical societies for the counties in which your ancestors died or were born or married.
Connect with others (e.g., social media, genealogical societies, message boards, LDS family history centers). Joining a local, state, or national genealogical society, such as the National Genealogical Society (http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/) or your state society, is a great way to connect with fellow researchers and learn how to improve your research skills. Also consider visiting your local Family History Center or connecting on social media to sites such as Cyndi's List (http://www.cyndislist.com/)
Document and verify your sources. Just because you've found it doesn't mean it's true or accurate. Don't rely on just one source. Be sure to verify names, dates, and places using a variety of sources. Document as you go. Consult Evidence! Citation and Analysis for the Family Historian (1997) by Elizabeth Shown Mills or Mastering Genealogical Documentation (2017) by Thomas W. Jones.
Consider various spellings of surnames. Many reasons exist to explain why the spelling of a surname varies from record to record. Think of the different ways in which a surname could be spelled, including phonetically, and then search accordingly.
Be persistent. If at first you don't succeed, keep trying. Some people spend years trying to find information about their ancestors. For various reasons, some information may never be located, but before you give up, use a variety of sources, be creative, and enlist professional help if needed. Above all, have fun!

(Tips generously provided by Laura Ploenzke, Adult Services Librarian, Avon Lake Public Library, Avon Lake, OH.)

USGenWeb Project (Free)
The USGenWeb Project is a group of volunteers working together and having fun providing free online genealogy help and information for every U.S. state and county. Our national site provides links to state sites, which, in turn, provide gateways to the counties. We also sponsor 20th Anniversary important Special Projects, gathering useful data you can access for free. USGenWeb was established in 1996 by a group of genealogists who shared a desire to create online centers for genealogical research. Have fun searching!!
Family Search (Free)
It's all about family. FamilySearch is a nonprofit family history organization dedicated to connecting families across generations. FamilySearch believes that families bring joy and meaning to life. Learning about our ancestors helps us better understand who we are—creating a family bond, linking the present to the past, and building a bridge to the future. Our vision is carried out by a dedicated team of employees and volunteers who work tirelessly to preserve and share the largest collection of genealogical and historical records in the world. We strive to create and link the best and most valuable research resources to help people discover who they are by exploring where they come from. For over 100 years, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide. This site is hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Family Tree Magazine (List of Sites)
Online genealogy records, where they exist, are usually scattered across several internet locations. If you do find a record, the website itself can be confusing at best. If you’re just starting out researching your family history, start at these 25 best genealogy websites for beginners (some are FREE and some cost $). Hosted by Family Tree Magazine.

If you have a Cleveland Public Library / Cuyahoga County / or Medina County Public Library Card, then check out these additional sites (like Ancestry.com, etc.) that you can access for free if you use your Library Card (see library links below).