Genealogy doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby. While there are many excellent paid sites out there, some of the very best resources for discovering your family history are completely free. Whether you are brand-new to research or already building your family tree, these tools can help you uncover records, connect with relatives, and learn more about the world your ancestors lived in—without spending a dime.

FamilySearch: The Place to Begin

If you only try one site, make it FamilySearch. Run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is the largest free genealogy website in the world. FamilySearch gives you access to billions of records: censuses, birth and death certificates, marriage records, immigration documents, and much more.

One of the best features is that you can create a free account and start building your own family tree right away. The site also has a “Wiki” that explains what kinds of records exist in different countries and states—perfect if you aren’t sure where to look next.

Tip: If a record isn’t indexed, don’t give up. You can still browse digital images of records that were once only on microfilm.

The National Archives and Government Websites

Many governments have put historic records online for free. In the U.S., the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has census schedules, naturalization files, and military records you can view through its online catalog.

State archives and historical societies often have hidden treasures too. For example, some states provide free databases of death certificates or old newspapers. It’s worth exploring the website of the state where your ancestors lived—you might be surprised at what’s available.

Outside the U.S., check the website of the national archives in your ancestor’s home country. Canada, the U.K., and Australia all have growing online collections that are free to access.

Newspapers for Everyday Life

Newspapers bring family history to life. They can reveal obituaries, marriage announcements, and little details like school events or church gatherings. The Library of Congress’s Chronicling America website lets you search millions of pages of U.S. newspapers published between 1777 and 1963—all free.

Many states also have their own digital newspaper projects. For example, Colorado has the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection and California has the California Digital Newspaper Collection. Searching old newspapers can add color and context to your ancestors’ lives.

Free Online Libraries

Sometimes, the best discoveries come from old books. Luckily, millions of them have been digitized and made free to read.

• Google Books and HathiTrust contain county histories, family genealogies, and local biographies. These often mention entire families and communities.

• Internet Archive is another goldmine, with digitized local histories, church registers, and even genealogical journals.

Don’t overlook these resources—they can provide background stories that make your family tree more meaningful.

Graveyards from Your Couch

Websites like Find a Grave and BillionGraves are built by volunteers who photograph and transcribe cemeteries around the world. You can often find headstone images, burial details, and sometimes even family connections. While these are not official records, they provide excellent leads and sometimes include photos or personal notes from relatives.

Free DNA Tools

If you’ve tested your DNA, you don’t need to stop with the testing company’s website. Tools like GEDmatch (basic tools free) let you compare your DNA with people who tested at other companies. DNA Painter (partly free) helps you create chromosome maps to visualize how matches connect. These can be advanced, but they are free and worth exploring if you want to make the most of your test results.

Tips for Using Free Resources

• Always verify information. Free resources are wonderful, but errors can occur. Use records to back up what you find in trees or transcriptions.

• Keep notes. Write down where you found a record and the website address, so you can return to it later.

• Mix free and paid wisely. Free resources can take you very far. If you eventually decide to invest in a subscription, you’ll know better which sites are most useful for your research.

Genealogy is more accessible now than ever before. Thanks to free websites and volunteer projects, you don’t need a big budget to start building your family tree. From FamilySearch to Chronicling America, from Find a Grave to Internet Archive, these resources open doors to discoveries that bring the past alive.

So, if you’ve been holding back because you thought genealogy was too expensive, jump in! The best price—free—comes with the priceless reward of connecting with your family’s history.

Citations

• FamilySearch. “Search Historical Records.” https://www.familysearch.org.

• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). “Catalog.” https://catalog.archives.gov.

• Library of Congress. “Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.” https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.

• HathiTrust Digital Library. https://www.hathitrust.org.

• Internet Archive. https://archive.org.

• Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com.

• GEDmatch. https://www.gedmatch.com.