Help needed with geneology/ancestry research!

[pjlla]

I'm planning to do a Family Tree album (hopefully for Christmas). I have a good amount of information for my generation, my parents, my grandparents, and some for great grandparents. But I, of course, would like to enhance that information, and make sure that it is all correct, etc, plus find out anything else interesting!

I've done some searching online and have only been able to find programs that cost $$. Is there anything for free out there? And if not and I DO have to pay, what are the better services to use?

Thanks in advance for any help you have to offer!!................P

 

[sleepyone]

I don't know of any free programs for compiling your family tree. I use Family Tree Maker and I love it for compiling. You don't really need a program to research, though. I only use the program for storing information and printing information.

Some sources to consider for research are:

county courthouse for births, deaths, and marriages
local libraries for the surrounding counties census records, newspapers, military records, etc.
online websites
local churches for baptisms, marriages, etc.
state vitals

This has become an expensive hobby for me because of all the certified copies that I just have to have.

ETA: Have you done online research, and if so, what sites have you tried? I could possibly help direct you to sites.

 

[snowball22]

Try:

www.genforum.com

www.cyndislist.com



Try and add some maps of where your family is from, town history, language spoken when family came to this country, family traditions, cemetery records, favorite recipes, service records, occupations held, religion, and so forth.

Good luck. Sounds like a fun project!!

 

[pjlla]

Bumping!

 

[pjlla]

Bumping!

I've search on both of the links that snowball22 suggested, but they both require a "membership" to actually view any records/information. I did several different google searches particular people by name and searched for town records, but I'm getting nowhere. HELP!! .........P

 

[SetzKitten]

I use all of the links the other folks listed plus:
olivetreegenealogy.com
freebmd.rootsweb.com
www.theshipslist.com

I also use www.familysearch.org, but I checked today and it was off-line. It may just be a temporary thing though.

 

[sleepyone]

My absolute favorite sites are:

www.usgenweb.com
http://genforum.genealogy.com (type in a surname and you are able to ask about the surname on a forum.)
http://boards.ancestry.com (another forum)
www.hcpl.net (my public library...try yours...it has searchable census records)
http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com (search family members who have past away) If you send off to request the social security application, you can find out alot more from the record than just the website.
www.familysearch.org

I just wanted to add, if your ancestors lived in the same county you currently do, you should definately go to the county courthouse and look through the records. I found tons of information at mine to get me started.