Resource guide
Good genealogy work usually depends on two things: finding the right records and keeping the research organized. This page brings together useful online genealogy resources and family tree software so people can choose tools that match the real task in front of them.
Online genealogy resources help with record discovery, archive searching, obituary research, cemetery lookup, and ancestry documentation.
Genealogy software helps when the challenge is not finding a record but keeping names, dates, relationships, sources, and notes organized over time.
In practice, many researchers use both: an online records source for discovery and a template, worksheet, or software tool for organization.
Most beginners should start with a broad record platform such as FamilySearch or Ancestry, then add a structured research method once information starts piling up.
Best first move for beginners
Start with record discovery, then organize the results
Ancestry.com stands as a giant in the world of genealogy research. Boasting an extensive database of records, including census data, vital records, and historical documents, it provides a wealth of information for those seeking to piece together their family history.
Best use: broad genealogy records and family history research
Operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch offers free access to an expansive collection of genealogical records. It's a collaborative platform where users can build and contribute to a shared family tree.
Best use: free genealogy records and collaborative family tree building
Discover your ancestors in old newspapers. Find birth, marriage, engagement announcements, hometown news and more from all 50 states. Expand your family tree in all directions with the world's largest online obituary archive, updated daily. Discover more than names and dates of your ancestors through the rich genealogical records only found in newspapers.
Best use: newspapers, obituaries, and announcement records
MyHeritage combines genealogy research with DNA testing, allowing users to discover relatives and build their family tree. The platform also offers access to a vast collection of historical records.
Best use: DNA matching, family tree building, and historical records
With a focus on British and Irish ancestry, Findmypast provides access to an extensive collection of records, including newspapers, military records, and parish registers. It's a valuable resource for those with roots in the UK and Ireland.
Best use: British and Irish ancestry research
Specializing in military records, Fold3 is an excellent resource for individuals interested in tracing their ancestors' military service. The platform includes records from various conflicts throughout history.
Best use: military service and war records
Explore Laura Schmidt's guide on effective research in archives and learn about archives, materials, guidelines, and more.
Best use: archive research guidance and methods
Gain guidance and access links for passenger lists from 1820 to the 1950s.
Best use: immigration and passenger list research
Utilize their free cemetery database with photos of gravesites and use the app to locate GPS positions in poorly marked cemeteries.
Best use: cemetery records, grave photos, and GPS grave locations
Recognized as a global leader in online obituaries, Legacy.com has partnerships across the world. Express condolences and celebrate the lives of your ancestors.
Best use: obituaries and memorial notices
Access hundreds of genealogical links organized by state or topic.
Best use: state and topic-based genealogy links
Explore the world’s largest gravesite collection with over 170 million memorials. Search for free and find added photos and text.
Best use: grave memorials, cemetery lookup, and photos
As one of the first genealogical resources on the internet, RootsWeb offers help with mailing lists, Ancestry Wiki, obituaries, and more.
Best use: legacy genealogy community resources and mailing lists
Afrigeneas.org serves as a starting place for African American genealogy with a beginner’s guide video. It features forums, chats, and resources for finding vital records and slave data.
Best use: African American genealogy and slave-era records
This library's special collections include African American and Native American resources, making it one of the largest genealogical library collections in the U.S.
Best use: large genealogy library collections and specialized heritage resources
Gain access to archive databases in the U.S.
Best use: U.S. archive databases and national records
Explore this easy-to-use website with record groups and an advanced surname search.
Best use: Jewish genealogy records and surname search
NARA is a treasure trove of microfilmed, printed, and manuscript records. It's excellent for census records, military history, patents, and more.
Best use: U.S. census, military, patent, and archival records
LOC is among the world's largest collections with extensive historical and genealogical materials. It offers a comprehensive directory of city directories, county histories, and copyrighted newspapers.
Best use: historical collections, newspapers, and directories
Access free county/state resources driven by volunteers. Also see WorldGenWeb Project for records beyond the U.S.
Best use: volunteer-run local and state genealogy resources
NYPL is second only to LOC in size and scope. Explore divisions like Map Division, Milstein Division, and specialized collections.
Best use: major library collections, maps, and specialized archives
This federal agency aided freed slaves and poor whites after the Civil War.
Best use: post-Civil War freedpeople and Reconstruction records
Delve into explanations for all federal census years and access original forms. Explore Census Online for state censuses, research tools, and birth year calculators.
Best use: federal and state census research guidance
Organized links by topics/categories for extensive genealogy resources. A cross-referenced index helps you find specific records easily. Don’t know where to look for specific records? Check Cyndi’s up-to-date list of suggested sources.
Best use: categorized genealogy link directory and record source discovery
Archive, library, and specialized genealogy sites become especially useful when mainstream search results stop being enough.
They are often valuable for immigration research, military files, cemetery work, local histories, African American research, Jewish genealogy, and geographically focused record searches.
These sources are also useful when you need to verify details rather than rely on user-submitted tree data alone.
Gramps is a popular free and open-source genealogy software that provides a comprehensive platform for managing family trees. It includes features for tracking relationships, events, and sources.
Type: free and open-source
Legacy Family Tree offers robust software for creating and organizing family trees. It supports multimedia integration and allows users to add detailed information about each family member.
Type: commercial
Family Tree Maker is a very popular program known for its user-friendly interface. It offers a range of tools for building and customizing family trees and integrates seamlessly with Ancestry.com.
Type: commercial
Genbox Family History is a commercial package that offers a 30-day free trial. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for organizing and documenting family history.
Type: commercial with free trial
GenoPro is a genealogy software with advanced features for drawing family trees. It caters to users looking for a more intricate and detailed representation of their family history.
Type: commercial
Heredis for Macintosh is a new alternative on the Mac platform, providing users with a user-friendly interface and tools to create and manage family trees.
Type: commercial
MyHeritage Family Tree Builder is a free program available in 12 languages. It offers an intuitive platform for building and sharing family trees and integrates with the MyHeritage database.
Type: free
RootsMagic Genealogy Software is another popular choice that offers a free trial. It provides a user-friendly environment for creating and managing family trees with advanced features.
Type: commercial with free trial
Reunion for Macintosh is a popular option specifically designed for Mac users. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for building and visualizing family trees on the Mac platform.
Type: commercial
Web-based genealogy resources are strongest when you need to search records, newspapers, archives, or cemetery data.
Genealogy software is usually most helpful when you need to document sources, manage relationships, and keep your research structured over time.
Different platforms have different strengths. Newspaper archives, census collections, cemetery databases, and archive tools often complement each other.
If the problem is record discovery, use a records platform. If the problem is organization, use genealogy software or a structured template.
Related pages
A practical starting point for learning how to approach family history research.
Use supporting genealogy templates for organization, documentation, and brick wall work.
Find place coordinates for records connected to migration, residences, births, or deaths.
For many beginners, FamilySearch and Ancestry are the most practical starting points because they provide broad record access and well-known research workflows.
Genealogy resources usually help you find records and information, while genealogy software helps you organize, document, and manage the family tree itself.
Not always. Some people can work directly with templates and online record resources, but software becomes more useful as research complexity grows.
Find A Grave, BillionGraves, GenealogyBank, and Legacy.com are among the more useful sources for cemetery records, obituaries, and memorial information.