When researching your family tree, it is very important to have a suitable method to record and sort the information and photos that you obtain.
There are many programs and sites out there but I am most familiar with Ancestry and Family Tree Maker
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| My mothers ancestors (family tree) on ancestry.com |
The Family Tree Maker program, which included a free trial to Ancestry.com, was initially a gift from my husband, who wanted to make things easier for me and reduce the amount of paper records that were lying around the house. It worked!
Initially, I used the free subscription to get me started but did not initially renew when it expired. I started my research on the cheap, using only free websites, but soon realised that paying for subscriptions and certificates reaped better and more comprehensive information.
Now I choose to use Family Tree Maker by Ancestry. Not only because I am familiar with the program but because Ancestry is the world's leading provider of genealogy research and records. (Please note I am not affiliated with the company in any way).
PROS
- Billions of records from around the world
- Easy to use
- Tutorials and research guides available
- Ability to synchronise Internet Tree with Family Tree Maker
- Having an offsite back-up of research information and photos
- Ability to connect to family members and those researching the same families
- Provides regular hints, making it easy to find new information
- Ability to have a "Public" and/or "Private" tree
- Many family trees have wrong information as facts have not been verified. Use trees as a guide but don't rely on the information. Verify with certificates (my next post).
My Tip: Just make a start! Talk to your family and obtain as much information about your family as you possibly can, then begin a family tree on ancestry.com. Very quickly your tree will have grown many branches!
This is the first of my posts in the Blogging from A-Z Challenge. Over the month of April, I will be making a daily post (except Sunday's) about my favourite websites for family history research.
I would also like to thank Arlee for starting the Blogging from A - Z Challenge.
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| Click to see more posts |
Sharon, I agree that Ancestry is worth every penny. I'm looking forward to learning about other websites out there.
ReplyDeleteHow fitting though. It was the first Genealogy website that I used so a perfect start to the challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks for looking in on my blog, I thought I'd take the time to return the compliment. My husband is a keen genealogist. It's an interesting subject. I just like anything to do with history.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of the challenge, I shall be looking in.
Thank you Sally. I will be looking in you too as already I am fascinated by the architecture in Leicester.
DeleteYes, just start. I've never done much with family trees, but it is fascinating to learn what people discover about their ancestors.
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by.
DeleteI have found alot of interesting information but this series is more about helping people start researching than telling you about my ancestors but I may trip to incorporate both.
My uncle did extensive research into our family tree before the internet came of use. Unfortunately, he died years ago but your post has prompted me to dive back in and verify some of his findings. Thanks for sharing the information and nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteA-Z participant blogging from Elise Fallson
Thank you for dropping by Elise. Glad to hear that you will look at the research as you will find so much more. I started prior to the internet but have located so much more information in the last 5-10 years.
DeleteI have been on Ancestry.com for about 8 years. It has developed a great deal over that period. You are right, don't rely a lot on other family trees. Always back up family tree connections with a real source document. Loved the post. Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting.
DeleteIt certainly has developed in the last 5 years. Just hoping that the DNA testing will be available for Australians soon :)
Hello - a very interesting post to start off the A-Z Challenge. I am doing it again this year; last year I did my daily blog posts with a genealogical theme and enjoyed April immensely, so I will be doing it again this year.
ReplyDeleteMy blog is GenWestUK at http://genwestuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Hi Ros,
DeleteThank you for dropping by. I look forward to reading some of your genealogy posts.
Sharon
I've been on ancestry.com since 2002 and I've found so much information and even a few cousins. I never copy family trees but I sometimes look at them. I also like family search but I guess that would be for "F" :)
ReplyDeleteShhhh Kristin :) You have given away my "F" post!
DeleteI just joined Ancestry.com one week ago. I found a picture of my sons paternal great-grandfather. Now we know who my youngest son looks like! I look forward to following your blog.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear Denise. I will be interested to hear if you become addicted to genealogy too :)
DeleteI've heard of the site but haven't used it yet.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a good time with the Challenge!
Thank you for dropping by Alex.
DeleteIt will be challenging but I am looking forward to being able to blog once a day and improving my writing skills.
The "billions of records from around the world" part sounds like it would be great for people like myself, with relatives from multiple countries. Thanks for the link and enjoy the rest of A-Z! :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Lilia. I haven't seriously researched my German Ancestors yet as I need to learn Deutsche first!
DeleteI've wondered about Ancestry.com, but it sounds like we still need to do our homework in verifying dates, names, etc. The free trial is nice. Great opening a-z post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon.
DeleteAncestry has alot of documents that provide dates and useful information. It is more the user trees that can be wrong.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Sharon! Yes, this is a great opening A-Z post, and thanks for pointing out the caveat, that Ancestry is not necessarily providing accurate ancestral information. I have found several errors in my family's genealogy, and can do nothing about it since I'm a non-subscriber. Even though my library subscribes, they have no influence with Ancestry either :(
ReplyDeleteIt can be frustrating Susan. I often put little comments to let people know that they have the wrong information but some choose to ignore it.
DeleteI've never tries ancestry.com but I should. I'd really like to find out about my Cherokee and Irish heritage. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Luana. I have found Irish History to be difficult. i have spent more time looking for the surviving records available than finding information! Unfortunately I wouldn't even know where to start with the Cherokee ancestry but it would be very very interesting
DeleteThank you Betty.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you don't take out an Australian World Subscription with Ancestry.com.au Sharon because you'll pay twice the price for the same data you can access through ancestry.co.uk !!!
ReplyDeleteThe Australian Government is now holding a Parliamentary enquiry in to why so many IT programmes are so much more expensive in Australia... hopefully Ancestry will be scrutinised also and things will improve.
Cheers, Catherine.
Good tip Catherine. Thank you.
DeleteI used a free trial for Ancestry.com over the winter. I think it would be cool to know more about my family's origins, but I don't have the patience to do the research. Good for you for doing this! I'm sure you've discovered a lot of neat facts.
ReplyDeleteI find it totally relaxing and "10 minutes" can easily turn into and hour.....or more!
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