This really sucks?

Question

I ask questions in this secction all the time, because I am dead-clueless of my family history. And, my mother doesn't really care that much or even has the money to pay for these freakin sites, Ancestry, rootsweb, you have to pay for all of them, just to find info on your ancestors. I feel stuck, I really want to know about my family line, I dunno, I'm just interested in this type of stuff. Am I in a jam here or is there any other way to find info without the cost? I sound cheap, I know.

Answer 1

You're not cheap.  I feel your frustration. It's most difficult when family are spread out and lose touch.  Try to exhaust your resources before you pluck out the credit card. This may require some leg work.  There is nothing more frustrating than paying the fee for sites and learn that the database doesn't have what you're looking for. Or better yet, your subscription has expired.

Check if your state or county, or the county/state your family originated from has public records online.  You can ask the county courts if you're allowed to research records at no cost. Texas has public records online.  However, if you want a copies of certificates or licenses, you have to pay for it. The database maybe limited. I was able to find information on family members who were born and married after 1950 online.  All others, I can go to the county office to research data prior to 1950 at no cost.   I live in another state, so I don't have that option.   I only want the dates, and I can't get this over the phone. Therefore, my option maybe to pay for a copy of  marriage license that I don't need.  I'm holding out in hopes I will find the information some where else.  So you have to be patience.

Answer 2

The truth is, if you really want to research your family history, you're going to have to fork out some cash sooner or later.  There are some free websites with various bits of info, but even the pay sites like Ancestry don't have ALL the records you'll need to research your family.  Eventually, you'll have to order a death certificate, travel to a distant library or courthouse, or pay an online fee in order to find the missing branches of your tree.  Researching your family is like solving a mystery or putting together a giant puzzle... and you'll never find all the pieces in one place.  You have to think like a detective and look for clues in many different places, online and off.  And actually, that's what makes genealogy so much fun!

The good news is, you don't have to do it all at once.  You can gather as much info as you can right now, and then do some more later when you can afford it.  Your ancestors aren't going anywhere!  They'll still be there waiting for you whenever you have the money to go search them out.

On the other hand, your living relatives WON'T always be here.  And once they're gone, the family stories and information they have will go with them.  So talking to your relatives is something you can do - and SHOULD do - right now!  And that doesn't cost anything, except maybe a postage stamp or a long-distance phone call.  Start with your oldest relatives - your grandparents, great aunts and uncles, distant cousins - and write down everything they can tell you about your family.  Talk to ALL of them, because they'll each have different things to tell you.  Don't be afraid.  Older people usually LOVE to talk about their families, and they will be thrilled to hear from you.  The stories and memories they can share with you are priceless, and they can't be bought on any website.  And when the time comes that you can afford to do more research, you'll have a great head start!

Answer 3

UK answer.

There is only one completely free site that I  know of this is it.

http://www.familysearch.org/

It's excellent, hope this helps