Beginning Genealogical Research   Tags: beginners, family, family_history, genealogical, genealogy, history, research  

A nice, clear, concise article reviews the first steps.

Article from "Genealogy Today" about preparing for library research.

A professional genealogist shares her tips and stories as you learn.

This list details which U.S. National Archives resources are available from one of two partners. The companies, Ancestry.com and Footnote.com, have digitized selected NARA microfilm publications and original records and made them available on their web sites for a fee. Each allows free searches of some or all index terms for each title.

Access: Headquarters & all branches in-house use only.

Access: Headquarters, all branches, & remote with your BCLS card.

The New York Times digital microfilm beginning with 2008 and all issues to date. Access: Headquarters, all branches, & remote with your BCLS card

AfriGeneas is a site devoted to African-American genealogy, to researching African Ancestry in the Americas in particular and to genealogical research and resources in general. Includes access to mailing list, message boards, and chat.

Cyndi’s List is “a categorized & cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the Internet and a free jumping-off point for you to use in your online research."

The Encyclopedia of Genealogy is available to everyone, free of charge. Everyone can also contribute information, again free of charge

Shows the relationship of two individuals from a common ancestor.

The “How to Start Your Family History” guide reviews the 6 basic steps of research and offers handy forms and charts which get you started. This is the official “Internet Genealogy Service” from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mor

Access to free primary source documents and helpful genealogical and historical material. Despite many links to subscriber-based (or fee-based) services, this site is still very useful for the beginner.

The primary mission of the RootsWeb.com, the oldest volunteer run genealogy website, is to connect people. Beginners will find the databases, mailing lists, surname lists, and especially the "RootsWeb Guide to Tracing Family Trees" of particular use.

An introduction to the National Archives, its collections, regional archives, research strategies, microfilm resources and more.

Groups of volunteers working together to provide Internet websites and databases for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States. Check out those unfamiliar places for research hints and more.

Offers articles in blog format to inform researchers at all levels about a variety of topics including resources, techniques, and items of current interest.