Free Genealogy Databases
Government Archives
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free genealogy site?
FamilySearch.org is the largest free genealogy database, with over 8 billion historical records. It is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and free to use.
How do I find birth, marriage, and death records?
Contact the state vital records office where the event occurred. Many pre-1940 records are digitized and searchable free through FamilySearch.org.
Can I access military service records?
Yes. Request records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis. Next-of-kin can request full records; the general public can access limited information.
Step-by-Step Guide
Document what you already know: names, dates, locations of birth/marriage/death for yourself and known relatives. This becomes your research foundation.
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are the most reliable records. Contact state vital records offices or use genealogy databases like FamilySearch (free) or Ancestry.
U.S. Census records from 1790, 1940 are fully searchable at Ancestry, FamilySearch, and through the National Archives (NARA). The 1950 Census is now fully public.
Passenger lists, naturalization papers, and ship manifests are searchable through NARA and Ancestry. Ellis Island records are free at libertyellisfoundation.org.
Land deeds, probate records, and local court records often contain family details. County recorders and state archives hold these records.
What Records Are Available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free genealogy resource?
FamilySearch.org is the largest free genealogy database, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It includes billions of records worldwide. The National Archives (archives.gov) also offers extensive free records.
How far back can genealogy records go?
U.S. records begin with colonial-era church and county records from the 1600s, 1700s. Federal census records start in 1790. Vital records registration became standardized in most states by the 1920s.
Can I find living relatives through public records?
Public records can help find living relatives through voter registrations, property records, and court filings. However, privacy laws restrict direct access to some records for living individuals.
What is a genealogy abstract vs. a certified copy?
An abstract is a summary extracted from a record. A certified copy is an official reproduction bearing the issuing agency's seal, required for legal purposes like passport applications or inheritance claims.
Genealogy by State
Trace family history through state vital records, census, and archive collections.