I'm just trying to do some at home genealogy but I can't afford to pay for all these sites. Are there any places that are reliable and free?
2006-12-03 14:47:12 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
All I can find are death indexes, but I need more names. My grandfathers are Les Detvay & Eden Taylor (deceased) and my grandmothers are Mary (Barta) Detvay & Gertrude (Covert) Taylor (deceased). I got Eden & Mary's SSN from the death indexes but I want their parents information so I can go back further.
2006-12-04 02:41:34 · update #1
You can use Ancestry.com and sometimes additional databases at most public libraries for free. Often there is somebody there at least a few hours a week to help you with your search. Call your local library and ask them about it.
Also, if you know where these records or likely to be (or once you get to that point) you may be able to call the genealogical society there and offer to do research for someone in records that are located near you in return for having someone there do some research for you. Also call the historical society in that area. Especially if they are small, their membership fee may be really reasonable and as a member you will qualify for services that you would otherwise have to pay much more for. The pricey services are not the only ones with these records, they are just the easiest way to find them. Most public libraries have copies of marriage and cemetery records for their county and several neighboring ones. You just need to make some friends where your records are.
The tip that you already got about posting on genealogy message boards is a really good one. My research for my masters degree started with one family. I posted on a board for that surname that I was trying to find information, and people were really helpful and generous. In return, I shared everything that I found with them. The one I used - http://genforum.genealogy.com/
Good Luck!
2006-12-04 11:30:16 · answer #1 · answered by pag2809 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am Mormon but that is like saying that if an elephant is born in a tree, they are a bird! LOL! I don't practice it anymore but I do know that if you go to one of their wards/churches, they have the most complete genealogical library in the world. The are also affiliated heavily with Ancestry.com who, if you sign up for their free 14 day trial, you will need a credit card to do so, and to cancel, you must call the toll free number they provide before the 14 day period ends and you pay nothing.
2006-12-03 23:09:06 · answer #2 · answered by sherijgriggs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can either go to www.rootsweb.com (totally free). or www.familysearch.org (which is the LDS website). Also some libraries have memberships to the expensive stuff in their geneology room. Also a really good way is to go to the court house or cemetery if you have time. And with the ancestry.com website you can get a guest account and every so often they send out free days where you have unlimited access to the full website. Hope this help
2006-12-03 23:52:19 · answer #3 · answered by jackrab 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rootsweb.com is good. Familysearch.org is good. Our local library has a subscription to ancestry.com, and you can go in on their computer and look up all sorts of stuff. They also have a genealogy room with tons of books - all it will cost you is a couple of notebooks and lots of pencils, plus the gas to get there and back - fairly inexpensive trip. If you go, plan to spend the day, because even if you think you are going to be an hour or two it is very easy to lose track of time when you find a branch of your tree.
I got lucky - both one side of my family and one side of my husband's family have websites dedicated to those trees with tons of info and lots of cousins who are also interested in the research.
For specific help, feel free to email me.
2006-12-04 00:42:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but the best place to find information is the LDS Church, or the Mormon's. They generously open up their computer system to anyone who who wants to research their personal geneology. You do, however, have to go to their facility.
There have been several questions about this topic on Yahoo! Answers. It'd be a good idea to do a search for this for more information.
2006-12-03 14:52:57 · answer #5 · answered by Mmerobin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to any Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints stake center, they have what is called a Family History Center at them. They have the computers and programs to go to the different sites you will need. You do NOT have to be a member of the church to go to them. They do not charge for their services or help.
2006-12-03 14:54:44 · answer #6 · answered by trollwzrd 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The big services often offer free trials. If you can work fast you can gain some information.
2006-12-03 16:58:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
find a Mormon/LDS church...they have "family history centers" and can offer advise, help and often have free services, and some inexpensive services....they are very helpful and the local one where I live has let me make use of their facilities without trying to proselytize me....
2006-12-04 11:14:30 · answer #8 · answered by SAMUEL ELI 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please go to http://www.cyndislist.com
It's the largest website for genealogy links.
You can learn how to trace your family tree and where to
look.
This site will give you everything you need to create your own family tree without having to pay for ANYTHING.
You can find free software, free resources, free anything.
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE
The best sites for free info are http://www.rootsweb.com
and http://www.familysearch.org
2006-12-04 05:40:47 · answer #9 · answered by $Sun King$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most geneaology sites have message boards. post your questions. people who have paid for the services will usually help you with look ups.
2006-12-04 04:28:01 · answer #10 · answered by barb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋