What are some good, free ancestory sites?

Answer 1

Yes, try these:
Free sites: there are several to choose from. Start with:
http://www.searchforancestors.com/...

http://www.censusrecords.net/?o_xid=2739...

http://www.usgenweb.com/

http://www.census.gov/

http://www.rootsweb.com/

http://www.ukgenweb.com/

http://www.archives.gov/

http://www.familysearch.org/

http://www.accessgenealogy.com/...

http://www.cyndislist.com/

Assuming they emigrated from Europe, start with Ellis Island and the Battery Conservancy sites:
http://www.ellisisland.org
http://www.castlegarden.org

Your local library probably has ancestry.com or heritagequest.com available for you use, as well as books and periodicals for genealogy research, plus a volunteer who will guide you.

Ancestry.com allows free "trials" (don't forget to discontinue or you will be charged).

Answer 2

The only free one I know of is Family Search.

Answer 3

http://automatedgenealogy.com