Genealogy Resource Directory

Hand-picked national and international research sites, organized by record type. free fee paid show the cost of each.

Major Genealogy Databases

The big record collections. Start with the free ones; most paid sites offer free access at public libraries and FamilySearch centers.

U.S. Government & National Archives

Original federal records, most of them free.

Census & Vital Records

The backbone of most family trees.

Cemeteries & Obituaries

Gravestones and obituaries often give dates, maiden names and family relationships.

Newspapers

Obituaries, marriages, social notes and legal notices fill gaps that official records leave.

Libraries, Books & Digital Collections

Published county histories, family genealogies and digitized books.

Maps & Boundaries

County lines moved constantly. Knowing the right jurisdiction tells you where the records are.

Military Records

Service, pension and bounty land files are among the richest genealogical records.

Immigration & Naturalization

Trace the voyage and find the hometown.

Heritage-Specific Research

Records and communities focused on particular ancestral groups.

DNA & Genetic Genealogy

Test, then use analysis tools to turn matches into ancestors.

International Research

Once you've crossed the ocean, these are the best starting points.

Methodology, Directories & Tools

Learn the craft and keep your research organized.