These are the services Mick and I most often use when searching for information on the
net. However, we do caution you on the paid services. When we first started, we signed
up for quite a few of websites -- and, in the end, for certain individuals we had no choice
but to road-trip-it. The web, however, is a good place to begin your family mystery
sleuthing!
Our Number One Choice:
http://www.ancestry.com -- This is the big momma on the net in terms of genealogy,
and growing larger every month! A paid for service, for us, it is well worth every penny.
We have found tons of information there and the program and site are a wonderful way to
begin and track your genealogy information. You can keep your tree on your computer,
or upload a copy and share. The system allows you to work either from your computer
tree or your net copy tree. Ancestry offers a standard service or the deluxe. There's even
a free trial period. As far as obits go; however, we haven't found any that apply to us;
however, their directory listings, which people often forget to look at, are very good.
Social Security Death Index, Military Records, Census Records, many Church Records
and more. Ancestry has several partnerships including the National Archives. This is our
number one choice, and we believe, the best buy for your money.
Our Number Two Choice:
http://www.newspaperarchive.com -- nice resource, loads of info; unfortunately, not all
newspapers are represented. This is a paid service. Definitely our number two choice
when it comes to going beyond names and dates and into the news of the times concerning
your ancestor. We were able to track and confirm information gathered from other sources
by creative surfing here.
Our Favorite Fun Site!
http://www.findagrave.com -- we love this site, not necessarily for the research (we haven't
found any of our relatives there); however, this site is a great way to donate your time if you
love to tromp through graveyards and take pictures for folks all over the world. This is a free
site and a refreshing change from the standard fare. What's cool, too, is that you can build
your own memorial pages to your loved one.
I Have No Idea Where To Look
Try Cindi's List -- an amazing site with links to literally tons of on-line resources. You will
find loads of great stuff here! Free.
http://www.usgenweb.com -- listings by county and state, with links to all that state's
genealogy collections and information, which in turn provide gateways to a plethora of
information. The US GenWeb project supports other projects at the national level. A
very good place to find recorded cemeteries. Free.
Other Sites You May Find Helpful
http://www.genealogybank.com -- has obituaries particularly since 1977, news articles,
historical news articles, military records and the Social Security Death Index. Not as
extensive as Ancestry.com; however, we have used it as a secondary resource. This is a
paid for service.
http://www.footnote.com -- This is an interesting site, and can be a working addition to
your bag of sleuthing goodies, sporting a partnership with the National Archives. We
expect to see this site grow, and are looking forward to future additions. This is a paid
service.
http://www.legacy.com -- is wonderful for searching recent obits. Free.
http://www.familysearch.org -- Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day-Saints -- the Grand
Dame of genealogy. If they don't have the information you are looking for, they give
complete, step-by-step coaching on where to look next. A definite on your list in your
genealogy sleuthing. Free service.
http://www.linkpendium.com -- Offers state-by-state search engines that crawl through
2,648,502 pages of free genealogical data. Definitely a site to check out in your search!
Free.
Yes, we have used other paid for services; but, honestly? We weren't all that impressed
with them. Some just want to sell you census records on a CD or books from their store.
What we really don't like is how some of these services run your test name and tell you
there are a gazillion hits for that person, and then when you pay -- zip. Do be careful
before you pony-up your hard earned dollars!
