| Your Family Tree: You Can Trace Your Ancestors | | | | such as findmypast in the U.K., or scotlandspeople. |
| With Free or Inexpensive Online Resources | | | | If you are very detailed and specific in your |
| As a beginner in genealogy you may be | | | | searches, you may actually be able to pin down |
| wondering how expensive it can be to get on the | | | | who it is you are looking for through these free |
| internet and build a family tree going back | | | | searches! |
| "lepleteen" generations, as my granddaughter | | | | FREE Gravestone Information, Inscriptions, and |
| counts. You will be glad to know that genealogy | | | | Photos |
| can be a recession-proof hobby. Here are 5 | | | | An amazing resource, gravestones offer much to |
| sources you can use to help you find ancestors | | | | the beginner in genealogy. You may be able to |
| and build your family tree correctly, without | | | | trace your ancestors by finding their gravestone |
| breaking your budget. | | | | with all its details, next to a wife (or two) and |
| FREE Family Tree Software Programs | | | | children. You may find the wife's maiden name as |
| Use a software program designed to keep your | | | | well, a great boon. Findagrave is one of several |
| ancestors' details organized the correct way, and | | | | such internet sites devoted to cemeteries |
| in a form that will let you share with others in the | | | | inhabitants. It is a relatively large free site, and |
| family as well. Two possible free options could be | | | | you may receive photos of your ancestors' |
| the Standard version of "Legacy" from | | | | graves simply by making a request. Volunteers do |
| legacyfamilytree, or "PAF" found on the | | | | the legwork of photography and then contacting |
| FamilySearch website. A number of other | | | | you with the photos, usually emailed. And, as |
| programs are available for under US$60. | | | | these volunteers are from the village or region, |
| Remember that some commercial websites | | | | they may also have more information on the |
| offering genealogy resources may provide a free | | | | family or history of the area. Wonderful resources |
| copy of a software program with a one year | | | | in finding ancestors. |
| membership. | | | | FREE Paperwork: Charts, Forms, "Tree" drawings |
| FREE Databases To Search And To View | | | | You will need to keep your information organized, |
| The world's largest database is also free, on the | | | | remember various document details, list where a |
| FamilySearch website. With cameras recording | | | | family or an ancestor lived at various times, plus |
| documents, registers, and records all over the | | | | all the dates and places. How can you do this? By |
| world, FamilySearch has information and details | | | | using forms and charts designed for the purpose. |
| available for the searching. From their Family | | | | Rather than re-invent the wheel, use the various |
| History Centers (in many regions) or from your | | | | free charts and forms available on many many |
| local public library, you can also request microfilms | | | | sites, which can be downloaded to your computer |
| of specific places and documents for a minimal | | | | and printed. Check on Cyndi's List for free forms; |
| charge. | | | | click on "genealogy resources" on government |
| Commercial sites frequently carry some specific | | | | web sites and blogs; click on Get Started on |
| databases free for searching as well as viewing of | | | | familytreemagazine, and then click on Free Forms |
| the document online. For example: 1881 Canada | | | | to download a number of helpful charts and |
| Census, 1881 U.K. Census, 1880 U.S. Census | | | | forms. Use Cyndi's List or a search engine to |
| records are all free on several sites such as Lost | | | | search for tree drawings you could use for 2-3 |
| Cousins and on Ancestry. Another possibility: | | | | generations "trees". It is all available for the asking. |
| WorldVitalRecords provides up to 2 weeks | | | | Your library likely has genealogy books with forms |
| searches and views free on NEW databases it | | | | at the back which may be copied for your own |
| adds, such as a particular state published histories, | | | | personal use, as well. |
| or civil war pension lists. It is worth searching | | | | FREE Genealogy Newsletters & Blogs & How-To's |
| through any commercial site to find any free | | | | These are wonderful resources for the beginner |
| databases: contact the company for more | | | | in genealogy. Others have been able to do |
| information on free searches and free views. | | | | genealogy research online as well as offline, and |
| WorldGenWeb or USGenWeb are non-profit | | | | love to share their findings. As you search online, |
| volunteer organizations providing genealogical and | | | | look for sign-up boxes for "Free Newsletter" since |
| historical records and resources. They are very | | | | many commercial sites as well as professional |
| variable in quantity and quality of offerings, but | | | | genealogists offer helpful email newsletters. |
| are well worth searching for your ancestors. | | | | Search for Genealogy Blogs as a topic, and |
| Your local library may have one or more | | | | browse through the wonderful variety available |
| commercial sites (library version) available free of | | | | online. Blogs are short personal writings, like a brief |
| charge to you with your library card. | | | | letter or note, on a specific topic. You can always |
| HeritageQuest and are two which may be | | | | unsubscribe if you find a blog or newsletter not |
| available, so ask your librarian! Family History | | | | useful to you. |
| Centers may have the database of the New | | | | Researching family history need not be expensive. |
| England Historic Genealogical Society available for | | | | With these free ideas, you will be able to find |
| you to search at their centers, and for free. | | | | your ancestors and build up family trees, learning |
| Finally, remember that many commercial sites will | | | | more and more from genealogy research sites. |
| allow you to search free... but charge you to view | | | | Enjoy your searches. |
| the original documents that your information is on, | | | | |