Were can i find out about my ancestors 4 free?

Question

i know nothing about my ancestors and i really want 2 find out but it has 2 be free and no DNA testing. thanks:)

Answer 1

In addition to what Shirley said, you really need to know some basic terminology first.  Your question clearly indicates that you do not understand some of the most basic concepts of genealogy or how it works.

Answer 2

Genealogy will never be entirely free.

The first thing is talk to family, particularly your old folks like me. Get as much info from them as possible. Tape them if they will let you.  They might be confused on some things but what might seem to be insignificant story telling might turn out to be very significant.

Find out if any family has any old family bibles. Ask to see and make copies of birth, marriage and death certificates.  Depending on the faith, baptismal, first communion, confirmation and marriage certificates can also be helpful.

Go to your public library and find out what all they have in genealogy. They might have a subscription to Ancestry.Com you can use.  I believe Ancestry.Com has the most records online.   They have all the U.S. censuses through 1930. The 1940 and later are not available to the public yet. They have U. K. censuses through 1901.  They have immigration and military records and indexes to vital records of many states.   However, don't expect to find all records online.

Word of warning:  Do not take as absolute fact everything you see in family trees on their website or ANY website, free or not free.  The family trees are submitted by the subscribers(folks like you and me) and are mostly not documented or poorly documented.  There are errors in family trees on all websites.  You might see  different info on the same people from different subscribers.  Then you will see repeatedly the same info on the same people from different subscribers, but that is no guarantee at all it is correct. A lot of people copy without verifying.  Use the information as CLUES as to where to get the documentation.  You can make up a family tree and submit it to any of the genealogy websites and it would be accepted.

Another good free source is a Family History Center at a Latter Day Saints(Mormon) Church. They have records on people all over the world, not just Mormons.  In Salt Lake City, they have the world's largest genealogical collection.  Their FHCs can order microfilm for you to view at a nominal fee.  Just call your nearest Mormon Church or visit their free website, FamilySearch.org to get their hours for the general public.

I have never had them to try and convert me or send their missionaries by to ring my doorbell.  I haven't heard of them doing that to anyone else that has used their resources. They are very nice and friendly.