genealogyresources

Resources for Beginners

Beginner's Guide to Family History Research
From a book by the same name, this site provides an introduction to genealogical research--what it is, how to do it, and what to expect--along with tips for collecting and organizing your project
http://biz.ipa.net/arkresearch/guide/html

MSNBC: Exploring Our Roots
Introduction to a wide variety of genealogy resources, with information for beginners and stories from Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, and other journalists about their personal family history searches.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/genealogy

Treasure Maps--The How-To Genealogy Site
Contains tutorials, guides, a free monthly newsletter, and links to resources, such as hints on deciphering old handwriting.
http:www.firstct.com/fv/tmaps.html

General Resources

Ancestors
Offers a resource guide, teacher's guide, tips and tricks, and video clips on family history research.
http://www.pbs.org/kbyu/ancestors

Cyndi's List of Genealogical Sites on the Internet
A comprehensive, categorized, and crossreferenced index to more than 50,000 genealogical sites on the Internet.
http://www.cyndislist.com

Genealogy Online
Provides links to genealogical collections, software, libraries, universities, historical collections, and federal census data. Includes postings of upcoming seminars, conferences and workshops.
http://www.genealogy.org

RootsWeb
In addition to providing access to federal and state government records, mailing lists, and files on over 500,000 surnames, RootsWeb offers Web site hosting, newsgroup support, and a monthly e-mail newsletter.
http://www.rootsweb.com

USGenWeb Project
Run by a group of volunteers working together to provide Internet Web sites for genealogical research in every county in the United States, this Web site provides links to family reunion bulletin boards, state and county historical archives, and national research projects.
http://www.usgenweb.org

American Family Immigration History Center
Explore your family history at Ellis Island
http://www.ellisislandrecords.org

Databases, Tools and Forms

Ancestry.com
Lists over 274 million names in 1,728 databases, including Social Security, military, and immigration records. Contains both free and subscription based sources.
http://www.ancestry.com

FamilySearch Internet Genealogical Service
An exhaustive database, searchable by surname, international geography, and other categories. Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this site is very popular, and appropriate for any genealogical research.
http://www.familysearch.org

Helm's Genealogy Toolbox
Contains links to over 60,000 Web sites with news and articles on family history research.
http://www.genealogytoolbox.com

National Genealogical Society
With over 17,000 members, the NGS provides training, research assistance, news and other resources.
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org

Worldwide Genealogy Top 100
Provides links to databases of surnames, vital records, military documents, and other public domain materials both free and fee-based.
http://www.worldwide-top100.net/gen/index.htm

Specialized Resources

Adoption.com
A good place to start looking for lost birth relatives. Includes a reunion registry.
http://www.adoptionregistry.com

Afrigeneas
A comprehensive source for genealogical research into African ancestry. Includes wills, inventories, census and Bible records, and slavery documentation.
http://www.afrigeneas.com

Holocaust Global Registry
A central place for anyone searching for Holocaust survivors, for survivors searching for family members or friends, and for child survivors looking for clues to their identities.
http://www.jewishgen.org/registry

Native American Genealogy
The Web site of the America Online (AOL) Native American Genealogy group, containing stories and links to resources for the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Lakota nations.
http://hometown.aol.com/bbbenge/front.html