The Internet has taken family tree research to a brand new realm. It’s no longer a pastime for social phobic geeks who hide behind the covers of historical books in dusty archive centers. It’s an art that is becoming more and more popular as people realize the value of connecting with family in a few clicks of the mouse. Family Tree Web Sites
Even more important is the fact that serious researchers no longer have to travel to those remote archival dungeons to find the information they need. Instead of using vacation time to travel, document and photocopy, they can sit at their work desk and get the information between projects…vacation time still intact for taking a cruise. (Just don’t tell the boss).
So where does this invaluable information come from? If you’ve just plugged a few search terms into Google you may be a little overwhelmed with all of the possibilities. That’s why I’ve done the research for you. Here are the three best family tree sites on the web.
With 6 billion names in its database of historical records, ancestry.com is the largest family history site on the Web. Just this week millions of names were added to family trees, tens of thousands of family stories submitted, and hundreds of thousands of pictures were uploaded.
Ancestry.com is a great place to begin your family tree research. You might be interested in using its resources to publish a handsome hard copy of your research efforts. Got questions? Its DNA information page and the Learning Center are optimal tools. And don’t forget to join the community to share your research experiences, learn from others, or connect with relatives.
I’d describe OneGreatFamily.com as a family reunion without the potluck squirt guns and gnats. This site is a virtual family reunion just waiting to happen. Whether you are a serious genealogist or an amateur who just enjoys hooking up with fellow DNA sharers it’s a great place to make a connection.
The tools on OneGreatFamily.com are phenomenal. You’ll be able to see an overview of your family tree, get maps of the country your ancestors came from, trace their migration, read biographies, discover fun facts, and even find out your relationship to others linked to the web site.
Have you ever felt like a star that’s undiscovered? Who knows, you might be related to one of the greats of Hollywood. Genealogy.com has a fun Celebrity Tree research tool that just might uncover your star quality.
Among the more serious tools found on the site are resources added on a regular basis. I found a Minnesota Crew List and the Chicago Illinois voter registration from 1888 today. Its data collections include staples like the U.S. Census and International Passenger Records.
Need a guide to get started building your family tree? It’s just a click away at any of these easy-to-use sites.
Do you have a favorite family tree research site? Tell us what it is and why you enjoy it.
