Some links to get you started

[kdmorris]

This discussion thread is pinned.

Last edited Fri Mar 2, 2012, 08:28 PM - Edit history (3)

Free sites:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ (Rootsweb World Connect Site)

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ (Rootsweb Home Page)

https://www.familysearch.org/

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi

http://www.censusdiggins.com/freebies.html (a set of links that are purported to be free)

http://freebmd.org.uk/ (UK sources)

Others:
http://www.archives.gov/ (To order records from NARA)

http://www.sampubco.com/ (ordered a will from them that broke down a wall. Very limited, but still useful)

http://www.ancestry.com/ (free for basic stuff. I have a subscription, so let me know if you need a lookup)

Old Ancestry/Genealogy Group at DU2: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=331

Free PDF versions of Family History books: http://books.familysearch.org/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=FHD_PUBLIC (thanks Rosie!)

[shraby]

1. Don't forget this one

<http://www.cyndislist.com>

[kdmorris]

2. That's a good one. n/t

[shraby]

7. Here's another free site

If you have relatives in Manitowoc co. Wisconsin
<http://www.2manitowoc.com>

[Montauk6]

16. I think it's the brackets... URL correction

http://www.2manitowoc.com/
(WARNING: not a secure site, be careful)

[Montauk6]

15. URL Correction

https://www.cyndislist.com/

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. K&R - great resource -thanks.

I will be sure to use this when I decide to reactivate my Ancestry account - due to job loss, suspended for a bit, but got lots done (needed the International part - traced family to Canada, then France and England, also Scotland).

[JackCo]

4. Thank you

After my ancestry subscription ran out last year I've taken some time off...walls ugh. Now I'm digging again but w/o the sub till finances get better. I had never been aware of a few links so am grateful to have those.

I did have one awesome find. I have a wall with my 3ggf John Clark Gorham but was at findagrave last week when I found his grave listed. I was excited to see a photo posted also...at least I know the "Gorham" nose goes back quite a few years. This led to his wife's grave and photo also.

Happy Hunting

[CBHagman]

5. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers

Do not miss the Library of Congress's online searchable database of various American newspapers. You can view the actual source (Zoom on in!) and all without leaving the house.

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

I found multiple references to my great-grandparents in the Scranton newspapers. It made a change from going up to Capitol Hill and breaking out the microfilm.

[kdmorris]

6. WOW! Thank you

I love old newspapers.. bookmarked.

[dragonlady]

8. Tools to help in finding records

This site makes it easier to find your ancestors on passenger lists, census records, and many other sources.

http://stevemorse.org/

[kdmorris]

9. Thanks, Dragonlady...

I don't know why I've never found that site before.

[Digit]

10. Another free site that has been around forever

It is called Genforum and you can search by surname, state, or county.

I have found others on here also searching my line, so it is entirely possibly you may also find distant relatives.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/

[Rosie1223]

11. Some from my Bookmarks List

Footnote/Fold3 (Some free, some require subscription)
http://www.fold3.com/?img=2&kbid=1051

Bureau of Land Management
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html

World Connect -- Uploaded Family Trees (use unsourced material at your own risk!)
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi

DAR Database Search
http://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/?Tab_ID=1

Digital books
http://www.archive.org/
Also check E-Books from Google. Some old county histories are digitized and can be viewed for free

[CountAllVotes]

12. another one for old newspapers

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Found the obit. on my late uncle, the fox terrier breeder in San Francisco listed in the old San Francisco Call which can be found (in part) on line here.

Thank you for posting these other links!

[HeiressofBickworth]

13. For European (and some American)

www.ourfamilytree.org (formerly www.gurganus.org). I particularly like it because, unlike some other sites, it lists an individual only once. Contributors collaborate on sourcing data and conclude which data is more likely accurate. Most other sites will post information even when it is grossly inaccurate (like a parent being born after their child -- I've seen this more than once).

For Scottish research, try the government site: Scotlandspeople.gov.uk. It costs nothing to look at the index but if you want to see the document, you need to sign up and purchase credits. As you download documents, credits are subtracted from your account.

Other sites for contributor-furnished information:

www.mocavo.com -- also has original documents
www.mundia.com