Genealogy Online Resources

Ready to start looking for your ancestors? Here are some online genealogy resources to help get you started.

By Lisa

Large general database search sites

Websites that include large searchable databases include: Ancestry, Family Search, Find My Past, and My Heritage.

These sites have census records, state level and country level records, basic military records, immigration records, family histories, etc. Most pay sites offer some level of free searching. Ancestry supports a Free Registered Guest Account and Family Search is a free website. Check out Genealogy Explained for a list of 26 free genealogy websites.

New Jersey family photo — New Jersey family

Federal records

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the depository of the Federal Government’s records deemed of permanent value for historical purposes. It holds records documenting military service, passenger arrival, naturalization, census data, taxation, court actions, land ownership, and much more.

The U.S. Federal Census, conducted every ten years since 1790, releases records to the public after 72 years. The most recent one available is 1950. Review census records with the thought that this information can lead you to additional records. Census records, depending on the year, include entries for:

Country of origin (passenger lists)
Date of naturalization (passenger lists, declarations of intent, certificates of naturalization)
Military service (draft cards, service records, pension documents)
Number of years married (marriage banns, marriage certificates)
Ages (birth certificates)
Occupation (occupational records)

State records

Every state also has their own archives. State archives hold records including state censuses, military records, bounty land records, court records, prison records, and much more.

For Birth, Marriage, and Death Record records, search the appropriate State Archives. States began to keep records of births and deaths between 1890 and 1915. Before then, vital information was recorded in church records or family bibles. If you are lucky, you might find vital record information in county records. Do not overlook funeral home records, obituaries, cemetery records, and gravestone inscriptions.

Google: State free online genealogy records

County records

There are many records held by the individual counties in each state. Some of these include deed records, probate records, criminal and civil court records, tax records, probate records, and voting records.

Google: County State free online genealogy records

Other online, or physical sites such as libraries, societies, and archives

State, regional, and local libraries, family history centers, county/state level historical and genealogical societies are all wonderful sources for genealogical data. Most have an online presence.

Remember to keep track of your sources. You can request a copy of the documentation sheet from Family Tree

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