Genealogy Resources
Tips, databases, and guidance to help you pursue your own family history research.
Getting Started with Family Research
Every family history journey begins the same way: with what you already know. Here's how to build from there.
Start with Yourself
Work backwards. Your birth certificate leads to your parents', which leads to their parents', and so on. Gather what you already have before searching databases.
Interview the Elders
The most irreplaceable records aren't in any database — they're in the memories of living relatives. Schedule conversations, take notes, and record audio if possible.
Organize as You Go
Use genealogy software (FamilySearch, Ancestry, MacFamilyTree) to record findings from the start. A GEDCOM-compatible program lets you export and share your tree easily.
Cite Every Source
Record where you found each piece of information: the specific database, record type, volume, and page. Future-you (and future researchers) will thank you when a fact needs verification.
Expect Inconsistencies
Names were spelled phonetically, ages were misremembered, and clerks made errors. A birth year that varies by five years across records is completely normal. Look for patterns, not perfection.
Know When to Ask for Help
Brick walls are a normal part of genealogy research. When you've exhausted your own approaches, a professional researcher can bring fresh eyes, different access, and specialized expertise.
Essential Record Databases
These are the core platforms I use in my own research, many are free or available through public libraries.
Free Resources
FamilySearch (familysearch.org)
The world's largest free genealogy database. Hundreds of millions of records including vital records, census, and military files from around the world.
Chronicling America (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov)
Historic American newspapers digitized by the Library of Congress, spanning 1770–1963. Invaluable for obituaries, wedding announcements, and local news.
Ellis Island Foundation (libertyellisfoundation.org)
Searchable passenger arrival records for immigrants who passed through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1957, covering over 65 million names.
Antenati: Italian Civil Records
Free access to digitized Italian civil registration records held by state archives across Italy. An essential starting point for Italian-American research.
Subscription & Library Resources
Ancestry (ancestry.com)
The largest subscription genealogy database, with over 40 billion records. Often accessible free via public library cards.
Fold3 (fold3.com)
Specializes in U.S. military records: pension files, compiled service records, draft registrations, and unit histories.
MyHeritage (myheritage.com)
Strong for European records, particularly Eastern European and Scandinavian. Also offers DNA testing with robust match-sharing tools.
NEHGS / AmericanAncestors.org
The New England Historic Genealogical Society database, essential for families with roots in New England. Unique databases, compiled genealogies, and digitized town records.
Using DNA in Genealogy Research
DNA testing has transformed genealogy. Here's what you need to know to use it effectively.
Which Test to Take
AncestryDNA has the largest testing database. 23andMe offers detailed health reports alongside ancestry. MyHeritage DNA is strongest for European ancestry. Most serious researchers test with at least two companies or upload raw DNA data to additional platforms.
Working With DNA Matches
DNA matches are only useful when you know how you're related. The key skill is building out the trees of your closest matches until you find common ancestors. Shared centimorgans (cMs) tell you the approximate relationship range.
"DNA doesn't lie — but it doesn't explain itself either. The real work is building the paper trail that connects your match to a common ancestor. DNA and documents work together, not separately."
Getting the Most from DNA Testing
- Test the oldest generation you can — grandparents' DNA captures more ancestral segments
- Build a public tree linked to your DNA to attract match connections
- Use the Leeds Method to cluster your matches into family groups
- Download your raw DNA and upload to GEDmatch for additional tools
- Don't rely on ethnicity estimates — they're approximations, not proof of ancestry