Free Genealogy Searches at Rootsweb

Rootsweb is perhaps the largest and oldest free genealogy community online. It used to be entirely run by volunteers but in 2004 was acquired by Ancestry.com which provides the funds to support it. Never fear, however, as all of the genealogy records on Rootsweb still remain free to access by anyone. If you haven’t made you way to Rootsweb before, then add it to your to-do list. You won’t want to miss the free genealogy resources!

There are three main areas of research on Rootsweb. The first is the WorldConnect Project. The WorldConnect Project is made up of thousands of user-submitted GEDCOM files and available for you to search for free. This is a great way to connect with other genealogists and see their family trees and how it might be connected to your own or give you clues on how to proceed with your research. When you search for your ancestors, you are given a list of possible matches. Click on one of the options and you can see details about that person that were submitted via a GEDCOM file. You also have the option to connect with the tree’s owner via email. WorldConnect now has millions of records since it first launched in 1999.

Another database to check out is the Rootsweb Surname List. This simply a list of surnames being researched by Rootsweb visitors with some information about the family they are looking for (such as dates and location of where the family lived). When you click on the submitter’s name, then you can see the contact information. Of course, you can submit your own list of surnames and contact information as well. You never know who might be looking for your family, too!

The last area to search is the user-contributed databases. This includes a wide-variety of hard to locate records such as alumni lists, tax lists, court records, and obituaries. There are also many databases with vital records. You many also be interested in contributing any information that you might have.

Rootsweb offers a few other way to connect with other who might be researching your family tree. Make sure to check out the message boards. I will still get an email notification about posts I made back in 2000!! You NEVER know when someone might be looking for you so I would suggesting getting a web-based email account (like Gmail or Yahoo) so that can always check it even if you change Internet providers over the years.

There are also mailing lists (which come right to your email address) and free access to the RootsWeb SSDI. You can also request a free web page to host your genealogy information at Rootsweb. Head over to Rootsweb.com TODAY for an awesome free genealogy website.

photo credit: yhoitink