Anybody have some great genealogy internet sources?

Question

Im working on researching my family and my fiances family.... I would really appreciate some sites you know of that are not common like ansestry.com that are great for researching information. Any military research sites would be great too. Im in the US.

Also if you know of any free programs for putting together a family tree. I have an old version of Family Tree Maker but its outdated and I would like something that does more. Or any program that is resonably priced.

TY in advance! =]

Answer 1

http://www.pcdl.lib.oh.us/marriage/searc...

is absolutely wonderful, but only if you are interested in Preble County, Ohio.

There are thousands of sites like that, limited yet wonderful if you fit the limits. Here is another, Illinois Marriages, 1763 - 1900:

http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/marrs...

And one more, cemeteries in Grundy County, Missouri:

http://www.mogenweb.org/grundy/cemetery/...

If you already know about RW World Connect, the LDS mega-site, GenForum, Ancestry's Query boards, Roots Web's mailing list archives and US Gen Web, fine. If not, write to me.

Cyndi's List has about 250,000 sites, all categorized.

Answer 2

On my internet searches, I got started by simply using a search enging and typing in "Kentucky genealogy", "Virginia genealogy", "Smith Family Genealogical Society", etc., or "Taunton, Massachusetts genealogy".  Then there is the idea of typing in the name: "Tom Jones, b. 1621, Plimouth, Massachusetts".

You should start by asking all your living relatives about family history.  Then, armed with that information, you can go to your public library and check to see if it has a genealogy department.  Most do nowadays; also, don't forget to check at community colleges, universities, etc.  Our public library has both www.ancestry.com and www.heritagequest.com free for anyone to use (no library card required).

Another place to check out is any of the Mormon's Family History Centers.  They allow people to search for their family history (and, NO, they don't try to convert you).

A third option is one of the following websites:

http://www.searchforancestors.com/...

http://www.censusrecords.net/?o_xid=2739...

http://www.usgenweb.com/

http://www.census.gov/

http://www.rootsweb.com/

http://www.ukgenweb.com/

http://www.archives.gov/

http://www.familysearch.org/

http://www.accessgenealogy.com/...

http://www.cyndislist.com/

http://www.geni.com/

Cyndi's has the most links to genealogy websites, whether ship's passenger lists, ancestors from Africa, ancestors from the Philippines, where ever and whatever.

Of course, you may be successful by googling: "john doe, born 1620, plimouth, massachusetts" as an example.

Good luck and have fun!

Check out this article on five great free genealogy websites:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Then there is the DNA test; if you decide you want to REALLY know where your ancestors came from opt for the DNA test. Besides all the mistakes that officials commonly make, from 10% to 20% of birth certificates list the father wrong; that is, mama was doing the hanky-panky and someone else was the REAL father. That won't show up on the internet or in books; it WILL show up in DNA.

I used www.familytreedna.com which works with the National Geographics Genotype Program.

Answer 3

www.familysearch.org is the LDS website, and they have the oldest and best free program.  You may not agree with me.. but I don't see a need for bells and whistles on a program. More important (imho) to be concerned about the data you put in.

Mind shift- there are kazillions of sites out there that have possible info on your family. It could be one of the above that Ted mentioned.. I love Cyndislist with a passion. The best site you find, MIGHT be a site that is completely unrelated (on the surface) to genealogy.  If grandpa was a zoologist, history of that, might have 12 pages of info about him.

Instead of thinking "genealogy".. think in terms of the actual person you are working at the time. Where he/she lived, what they did for a living, historical events that might have affected them.  A museum in the county where they lived (maybe just the address is online, but it is a place you can visit).  Google.. use the person's name in quotations, and include the county where they lived. I pull up tons of off the wall sources that way, none of which have genealogy in the description.

A good number of "genealogy" sites are built on the concept of submitted trees, and may or may not have your family. Instead.. zoom in on the person and the idea of INFORMATION, and it opens tons of doors.