Finding our ancestors is a fun hobby, but it can get expensive quickly. These days there are subscriptions for everything. So, how do you do family history research without breaking the bank?
In this blog post, I’ll show you 10 free resources that will help you find your ancestors and keep your budget under control.
We all need to budget our money wisely including our genealogy dollars. When I first started with family history research over a decade ago, a popular ancestry site was less than $100 for the year. Needless to say, it’s not that anymore.
To help, let’s look at 10 free resources that will accompany your paid sites and still help you find your people.
FamilySearch
FamilySearch is one of the largest free genealogy websites. I have written several blog posts about FamilySearch including FamilySearch Wiki, FamilySearch Full-Text Search, and more. It is one of my favorite free sites.
Their collection of records is enormous with over 5 billion digital images and 13 billion searchable names (as of the date of this blog). They also have a wonderful book inventory, such as The History of Maine, published in the 1800s.
FamilySearch is also home to a universal family tree. Once you start your free account, you will quickly find your ancestors in that tree. Since anyone can add information, you will need to verify what’s there, but you may also find clues that lead you to new, exciting discoveries.
National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) houses historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, but they also keep documents that pertain to your ancestor.
From the home page, if you click on “Research Our Records” then “Research Your Ancestry” you will come to this page which is a wonderful starting point for your family history research:
Their record collections and educational resources are amazing and will help you tackle federal records like a pro.
If you want to order a specific record, like a military pension, from NARA, there will be a fee for that. In my opinion, this type of genealogy spending is the best value.
Chronicling America
Chronicling America is a website from the Library of Congress that provides access to more than 21 million newspaper pages from over 4,000 papers.
Not only will you find digitized images of newspapers dating back to 1756, but you will also find a directory of newspapers published in the U.S. since 1690. This is a wonderful way to find out what newspapers existed in the time and place you’re researching.
Newspapers are just one of the items you’ll find here. They also have maps, manuscripts and books. Taking an afternoon browsing this website will be time well spent.
Digital Public Library of America
The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is a national digital library that allows users access to books, digital images, and historic records.
They have a specific Family History Research section with collections to help fill in our ancestors’ lives. Photographs, family Bibles, maps and more are available. Could your ancestor be among these priceless items? You won’t know until you look through this incredible site.
USGenWeb Project
The USGenWeb Project is a volunteer-run organization that provides free genealogy resources for every U.S. state and county. Each has its own webpage with a variety of records, including cemetery records, census data, and local history resources. It’s a great starting point for anyone researching American ancestors.
Here’s a look at the Iowa state page:
Cyndi’s List
Cyndi’s List is a website that provides links to family history resources across every topic you can think of. The brains behind this amazing site is Cyndi Ingle, a genealogist who for 25 years has been helping us find our family.
Start by clicking on the “Categories” tab. You will find over 230 to choose from. Included are links to record types, location research, and checklists and forms.
Are you just beginning your research? Click the “Beginners” tab to get resources on how to get started. One of those is the next on our list.
National Genealogical Society
The National Genealogical Society has a paid membership, but it also has free resources for anyone. Click the “Learning Center” tab to access.
Here is where you’ll find tips on how to start your family history research, forms and pedigree charts, and even a free course on basic genealogy research skills.
Google Books
Google Books is a free site where you may find your ancestors mentioned by name. But it’s more a place to find context to add to their lives. All books are in the public domain if they were published before 1929 (as of 1 January 2024).
A simple search of Gorham, Maine reveals two books I can read online. The oldest is from 1862 and not only gives a history of the town, but biographical sketches. No family history research is complete without checking this important free resource.
Online Searchable Death Indexes and Records
This website will lead you to other sites by way of the state you are researching.
You’ll find many free online indexes and collection sites categorized by state and even some counties. At the bottom of every page is a link to where you can order vital records.
Don’t forget to view the Social Security Death Index link as well.
DeadFred
The last free resource is DeadFred. This one is fun, but could be revealing if you find your ancestor. This website is devoted to ancestral photos. Some people post photos of people they don’t know in hopes that someone will identify them.
Here’s a wonderful photo of Grant Quimby taken in Meredith, New Hampshire. If he were a member of my family, I’d be over the moon excited to have his picture.
Finally
Researching your family history doesn’t have to be expensive. With the free resources available, you can make significant progress without spending a fortune. Whether you’re just starting or have been researching for years, these free tools and websites can help you uncover new information and connect with your past.
Genealogy tip: Don’t forget to search for state and local genealogy societies, historical societies, libraries, and museums. Each should have many free resources including records, surname information, and locality information.
It’s a great time to learn about your family history. Let me help get you started or do the research for you. Click below to begin.
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