age 62 first computer trying to trace ancestors.any simple tips?

Question

am very new at this and want to try and trace ancestors for my children but struggling

Answer 1

If you are new to genealogy in general, look up the LDS churches in your county via the yellow pages. See if any have a family history center. They are really nice and they don't try to convert you. (The VP of our county Genelogical society works one day a week in the FHC here, and he is a Presbyterian.) (They helped me and i'm not even a Christian.)

You might join the local genealogical society, or at least attend a meeting.

The local GS may have a volunteer in the special collections room of your county library.

Your library may have free computer classes.

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Here are some large free sites. I save this and paste it because people ask the same question 1 - 4 times a day:

What are good free sites for genealogy?
or
Does anyone know about the {surname} family?
or
How can I trace my family tree, for free?

Sometimes thay ask in the genealogy category,
Arts & Humanities -> Genealogy
sometimes they don't. If you search or browse the resolved questions in the Genealogy category, you can find more links from other people.

http://www.cyndislist.com/
(240,000+ links, all cross-indexed.)

http://www.familysearch.com
(Mormon's mega-site)

http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi
(450,000,000+ entries, some excellent, some bad, most in between)

http://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts/default.aspx?ln=
Surname meanings and origins; no specific individuals, but fun.


These are for the USA only:

http://www.usgenweb.net/
(Subdivided into state sites, which all have county sites.)
(Canada has a Canadian Gen Web, with sites for each province.)

http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi
(Social Security Death index - click on "Advanced".)

http://find.person.superpages.com/
(US Phone book, for looking up distant cousins)

If you get serious, you should probably buy a genealogy program. I like Roots Magic. Family Tree Maker is very popular. Both are $29 in the USA, but you can sometimes find old versions in discount bins at software stores.

Answer 2

I would subscribe to www.Ancestry.co.uk or www.Ancestry.com. It has the largest database of all census, birth's, marriage's, death's, war record's, newspaper articals (etc) and it will save enless trips to the archive office, you can get a free trail and the ablity to do your family tree online
It's a simple process to sign up and even simpler to search for your ancestors, well worth the money.
The Independent newspaper (uk) this weekend are giving away a family tree software program and guide.
p.s no, i don't work for Acenstry or the Independent. Good luck.

Answer 3

you can try in google and see what you find. I have tried trace my ancestors but every site I came across wanted money that I don't have to spend. Type in family ancestors or tree perhaps that will help.

Good luck to you

Answer 4

Just use different search engines, google and Yahoo. you can download the toolbars with them built in for Internet explorer. then search for genes, ancestors, archives,and so on - Google will even suggest words if you give it a clue. search for images too and of course genes united - if you're really serious! Use the links below. just click them - and you should go to the site. Click back to come back!

Answer 5

I thought about this myself once, but never persued it. Someone I knew that did his family tree told me that the Mormons, or the church of latter day saints, whatever they call themselves, have LOADS of genaology records, because they believe in baptizing dead people, and have people working on this around the clock. .He said they were quite helpful and had no problem sharing their info and didn't charge him a dime. Might want to look into that, not sure if they have a website though

Answer 6

If you have a rare last name than look it up in Google. Or else, just put "trace ancestors" in Google.com. Something will come up.

Answer 7

Try the Genes Reunited website.

Answer 8

Try the BBC website, as they're running the programmes where "stars" are tracing their families. The programme is called "Who do you think you are?".
Well done, grey surfer!

Answer 9

Hi and welcome to the computer world. I hope you are enjoying it thoroughly.

Regarding your question. Go to the following website.

http://www.google.com

Type in Genealogy Sites

Google will give you lots of sites you can visit for more info. There were just too many to manually list them for you.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 10

Go to either http://www.ancestorhunt.com/ which is supposed to be a free way to research your ancestry, or go to http://www.ancestry.com if you are willing to pay for it... the results will probably be much easier on the latter link.

Good luck to you, and hope this helps.