Genealogy Research Resources
The desire to trace genealogy is motivated by many emotions: the want to preserve family history or perhaps simple curiosity. With the availability of online historical records and genetic analysis combined with previously known information, it is possible to construct a detailed picture of one's ancestry. Many government records are online and available free of charge, and there are several useful websites that are a great place to start. Suited for both the curious and the dedicated researchers, the following resources are a great way to continue (or begin) ancestry research.
Genealogy Search Sites - Land Records - Historical Records - Genetic Analysis
Genealogy Search Sites
- Ancestry.com: Although this genealogy service requires a fee, Ancestry.com is an extensive genealogy service that offers everything from record searches to DNA testing. The main focus of the service is building a family tree; accordingly, the website offers easy-to-use family tree software for its subscribers.
- FamilySearch: FamilySearch is a non-profit organization provided by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Through online birth, death, church, census, and death indexes, it is relatively simple to begin searching for records of ancestors. In addition, the site offers free online classes and specific resources for those with African American, Jewish, or Hispanic descendants.
- JewishGen: JewishGen is a non-profit organization run by the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Their mission is to aid in Jewish ancestry research and connect Jews with their family members around the world. The databases, which include the Ellis Island Foundation Database, the Holocaust Database, and a compiled world Jewish family tree, are available at no cost. There are also records from countries in Eastern Europe.
- The USGenWeb Project: The USGenWeb Project is a free genealogy service that focuses on the United States. The genealogy information is organized by county and state; under each state there is a list of all of that state’s genealogy websites. Vital records, military archives, tombstones, and even old newspaper records are all available online.
- The National Archives: The National Archives, provided by the United States government, is a great place to begin genealogy research. The website provides useful resources (books, articles, etc.) for beginners and links to research tools, such as the Access to Archival Databases (AAD), to search for records. The records most commonly searched for through the National Archives are census, military, immigration, naturalization, and land records.
Land Records
- Bureau of Land Management – Land Patents: The Bureau of Land Management, a department of the US government that regulates land use in the United States, offers an online land patent search. A land patent is a document that records the transfer of land ownership from the government to an individual. Search by state, name of the patentee, or serial number.
- The National Archives – Land Records: The National Archives of the United States provides a useful introduction to land entry case files and links to helpful resources. In addition, the website also provides information on how to order land entry case file or surrendered military bounty land warrants. Land records are especially useful in genealogy searches because they can provide a wealth of information on ancestors, such as place of birth, citizenship, and even economic status.
Historical Records
- GovAncestryRecords: GovAncestryRecords.org is an online database of a multitude of ancestry records. Search by family name, surname, social security number, city, or state to obtain records on ancestors. Ancestry records include birth and death certificates, marriage records, obituaries, addresses, burial listings, and more. A fee is required for full access to records.
- GovObituaryRecords: GovObituary Records provides an easy method for searching for all types of death records, including obituaries, death notices, burial ceremonies, and cemetery records. Results also may reveal the deceased's date and cause of death.
- Marriage Records: MarriageRecords.org is an online information service that utilizes a variety of networks to find marriage records. The results may include information like the bride and groom’s information, marriage details, and filing number.
- National Resource Directory – Military Service Records: The National Resource Directory is an online database of public military service records. These include army personnel records, World War II veterans records, Civil War soldier records, and even medical records. The records span all departments of the US Military (Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Army).
- VitalRec: VitalRec is an online service where customers can purchase vital records such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. Public records search can be done nationally through surname or by each state. In addition, there are links to international vital records for Canada and Europe.
Genetic Analysis
- DNA Print Genomics: DNA Print Genomics offers a wide variety of services related to genetic testing, including several genealogy tests. Their most basic test, ANCESTRYbyDNA 2.5 looks for 176 Ancestry Informative Markers in the genome in order to determine genetic heritage. Using statistical algorithms, the test can reveal to which bio-geographical group (or groups) ancestry a person belongs. The site also offer tests for specifying European sub-ancestry heritage.
- FamilyTreeDNA: FamilyTreeDNA is one of the most popular DNA testing services and is host to one of the largest DNA databases. The company offers both male and female line genetic testing and has a “Family Finder” for searching for descendants of great-great grandparents. In addition, the website also offers Jewish, African American, and Native American ancestry databases.
- GeneTree: GeneTree is a genetic testing service that has a database in over 170 countries. Customers can build a family tree at no charge and can submit DNA results from other labs to find other matches in their database. In addition, the company has genetic consultants for hire that can aid in genealogical research. The company offers two types of tests, Y-Chromosome and Mt-DNA, which focus on paternal and maternal heritage, respectfully.
- The GenoGraphic Project: The Genographic Project, run by National Geographic, is a genetic analysis endeavor that aims to discover the origins of human ancestry. National Geographic is partnering with indigenous peoples throughout the world to collect DNA, and the public can participate too. Participants collect and send a sample of their DNA to a lab, which then analyzes the genetic make-up to reveal the ancestry of one’s direct descendants (and shows geographic migration patterns).
- Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation: The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF) is a non-profit organization that is striving to build the world’s largest collection of genealogical information. The DNA database is accessible through the SMGF website, so participants can search by surname or DNA results (in both Y-Chromosome and Mitochondrial databases) to find a place in the “genetic family tree.” The organization is affiliated with GeneTree genetic testing.