Help with family tree?

Question

I've recently been researching my family tree & have found out a few things using some free sites, and help from elderly family members. But, I'm stuck now. I haven't got a credit card or anything to be able to pay online for further help. So, I wondered if anyone could help me out? Thanks.x

Answer 1

Edit your question with some details, you'll get some answers.  

Details for the ancestors you have so far such as names, counties/towns, birth/death years?

Answer 2

Unless you put it in your question, we can't tell what country you are in. It is the most frustrating thing Yahoo does. It doesn't matter if you go into domestic Yahoo or one of the International Yahoos (UK, Australia, Canada, India . . .), all of the questions in English go into one big "pot".

In the USA, your best bet for free is your local Mormon Church's Family History Center. They have access to census images. You can use them even if you aren't a Mormon. They have lots of other resource too.

If you post a specific question here or on a real genelogy board - "Who were the parents of Samuel Smith, b 1840 - 1850, married Jennifer Jones, lived in Chicago, Cook, Illinios?" you may get an answer.

Someone here who knows what she/he is doing may be willing to spend the 100 - 300 hours it would take to get back  to 1850 on most of your lines. I'm not.

Answer 3

If the counties your ancestors are in are local, check with the courthouses in birth and death records, plus marraige records as well.

Online, for free, I used to use http://genforum.genealogy.com/ , and you can search thru surname or state. I found a LOT of info there! But don't count that as verified unless you've talked to someone who has actually SEEN the records.

If any of the older members of your family have a family bible, there's usually a lot of info in there, as well. The older relatives can at least point you to what states / countries the family came to your area from, and sometimes when.

Also check with the genealogy dept in your local library. If you're really lucky, you might find a book on your family, or an area that they had originated in.

Good luck!

edit- also this site if free and very helpful http://www.familysearch.org/

Answer 4

Information sources can vary quite extensively on where your research has led you. In the UK, records are available back to the Domesday boom (though not for all names) in the late 11th C for free.

In the US, the Mormon church has a lot of genealogical information that they might be willing to provide free of charge.

Churches and civic halls often have birth, marriage and death info.

Many families have their own societies or associations; try googling the family name with the one of those words.

Trouble is for much of this, you have to travel to the place as much information is not electronic.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 5

If you would add a question or something someone could search for it may help you get started again.

Good luck in your search. Bonnie

Answer 6

Have you tried contacting the local library in the city/town of the person nearest the branch (family tree branch) that has you stuck? That's probably a good start. If you know the city, google (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) search the library in that city. They should have records on local geneology. Also, you might want to do a person search (that is, if you have a name, but nothing else with which to work). Hope that helps.