Are you using a website to store your family history? Do you use websites for research? There are several websites to help you manage your family tree online. I have used them for research, but only one to store information. I prefer to keep my records in a book that I created, so that everything is kept in one place and can be passed down to my son.
However, there are advantages to doing things online. Information that is stored online reduces paper clutter. Research has been made much easier with the help of websites that offer search functions and hold a large amount of data.
Let’s look at some of the websites that we can use for research and creating or storing family history information:
Family Search searches online birth, marriage, death, census, church and other indexes. Birth and death certificates can be ordered in an effort to obtain vital information. There are restrictions but immediate family members should be able to order online.
Ancestry.com is a great site that lets you build your family tree by entering a few facts about your family. The site uses everything that you enter and builds on it to find more information.
Here is an online Genealogy and Ancestry Search where you can find information that is readily available online and allows requests for offline data.
Distant Cousin is another site that uses a searchable database to help you find missing information on your ancestors.
My Heritage is the only website that I’ve used to store information online. It is a user-friendly site that allows beginners to enjoy step-by-step instructions while offering enough features for even the advanced user.
Information that you find online can usually be printed and used in your hard copy file. There are charts online that you can enter information into and then save and print. You’ll have your saved copy in case you need to edit it but you can add the printed copy to your family tree book that you intend to pass down to your children or relatives.
Using the search feature on these databases can also verify information that you aren’t sure about. If you were given a tentative date by a family member, it can often be confirmed online. I like to check information that is passed down through word of mouth whenever possible to avoid mistakes.
While paper has its value in maintaining your family tree, online resources are a great way to add to it and they are certainly more convenient than searching through microfilm at the library.
Related Articles:
A Family Tree is More Than a List of Names
The Importance of a Family Tree