Genealogical Resources & Information
Links to other websites that offer genealogical and education information:
There are hundreds if not thousands of websites that provide genealogical information and education opportunities. It is not possible to list them all here. Sites listed below are only a very small sampling. I also suggest searching genealogical and historical society websites for your ancestor’s local communities.
Education:
https://www.evidenceexplained.com
This is Elizabeth Shown Mills website. It includes in-depth discussions on the principles of citation, source analysis and evaluation, forums and digitized images of the quickcheck models from her book, Evidence Explained, Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. She provides easy to understand explanations and examples. A study of this site is highly recommended for anyone interested in genealogy.
https://www.ngsgenealogy.org
The National Genealogical Society offers a variety of genealogical education. Their website also lists events and links to publications. Information on the annual NGS conference can also be found here.
http://www.gripitt.org
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). If you are interested in attending a genealogical institute, GRIP offers week longs classes, generally held during the summer months.
https://ugagenealogy.org
The Utah Genealogical Association hosts the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG). SLIG is generally held at the end of January and is a week-long institute offering a variety of classes.
Genealogy Websites:
https://www.ancestry.com
Ancestry.com is a subscription based website. It features millions of different types of records that can be connected to an on-line family tree. Gedcoms can also be uploaded to this site. Ancestry also offers genealogical education courses as part of their subscription.
https://familysearch.org
FamilySearch is the website connected to the Church of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City. This is a free site and features many record types for locations, both within the United States and internationally. Family trees can be created here. The Wiki found here is full of how to and useful information.
https://www.myheritage.com
MyHeritage is a subscription based website. This site offers records and variety of other family history related tools. Family trees can be created here.
https://www.cyndislist.com
This is a free site with hundreds of thousands of links to many places, tools and records. This site is organized by State, then categories.
www.usgenweb.org
USGenWeb.org is a free site maintained by volunteers. Every State has a GenWeb site that provide links and access to data. Be advised that many of these sites are hosted by Rootsweb. Rootsweb is in the process of updating their security and many of these GenWeb sites may not be available until these updates are complete.
https://www.fold3.com
Fold3 is a subscription-based site that has invested heavily in preserving military records. If you have an ancestor that participated in a war, this site is a must.
Sites that offer DNA testing:
The use of DNA to assist in locating common ancestors is a relatively new tool. Keep in mind that DNA by itself will tell you little. To derive full benefit from any type of DNA test, it is imperative that there be a paper trail. DNA is only a tool that can help verify a common ancestor.
Before you decide which DNA test(s) to take, consider what it is you want to know and do with the results. I also suggest that a little time be spent learning what your DNA will and will not tell you. Genetic genealogy is extremely interesting and fun but complicated.
- Autosomal tests provide ethnicity breakdowns by percentages. They also provide people that you share DNA segments with (matches) across all paternal and maternal lines. This test is useful for research on up to 7th great grandparents (10 generations starting with you).
- Y-DNA tests are for males only and provide data on the Y marker that is passed virtually unchanged from father to son to son to son, etc. for many, many generations. There are also projects connected to Y-DNA marker tests and are worth looking for. If you are interested in locating the most recent common ancestor with others who match your y-marker and surname, this test is certainly recommended.
- mtDNA (mitochondrial) tests can be taken by males and females and provide data on the mitochondrial DNA that is passed almost unchanged from a mother to her children. Because women in some societies change their surnames when they marry, using mtDNA for identifying a common ancestor can be a little challenging.
Depending on the testing site and test, a haplogroup may also be provided. Haplogroups essentially tell you where on the planet your Y-marker or mtDNA originated, i.e. what part of Africa your earliest ancestors came from. In addition, if you decide to test at one site, some of the other testing sites have a method for you to upload your raw DNA to their site. This is useful because you expand your number of matches.
Something to think about: Your DNA is your DNA and it cannot be changed. Before you take a DNA test, please consider that you may learn about long hidden family secrets. For instance, your great grandfather may not have been a biological child of your great great grandparents. With human beings, things happen.
https://www.familytreedna.com
FamilyTreeDNA offers Autosomal DNA (Family Finder), Y-DNA and mtDNA tests. DNA matches are provided according to the type of test taken. Gedcoms can be uploaded. FTDNA also features a chromosome browser that allows one to see which chromosomes they share with DNA matches. Raw DNA can be transferred to this site.
https://www.23andme.com
23andMe offers two types of DNA tests: Ancestry Service (autosomal DNA test) and Health + Ancestry Service. The Health + Ancestry Service provides a global ancestry breakdown (ethnicity) along with some health reports and traits that are based on your genetics. 23andMe’s DNA Comparison View provides a way to view shared DNA segments with matches.
https://www.ancestry.com
Ancestry offers an autosomal DNA test and matches that you share DNA segments with. Gedcoms can be uploaded. With Ancestry’s DNA service, one can view their ethnicity and matches with a free account. This service is separate from the subscription portion of the site. Ancestry does not offer a chromosome mapping platform. To do this, those interested can upload for free their raw DNA to third party sites such as GedMatch (https://www.gedmatch.com) or Genome Mate Pro (https://www.getgmp.com).
https://www.myheritage.com
MyHeritage recently began offering autosomal DNA tests. This site will provide an ethnicity breakdown as well as DNA matches. Chromosome mapping is not offered. Raw DNA can be transferred to this site.