Favorite Sites for genealogy research (sites open in a new tab or window)
These are primarily sites that I have personally found useful in my research. They are not intended as as a how-to or beginner's guide.
I have included a few suggestions for research and history suggested by students who found my web site.
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Student Recommendations
- A Genealogist's Guide to Tracing People for some basic information on how to get started. This was
contributed by a Allison, a student with her school's Junior Genealogy Club.
- History of Ellis Island from
Liberty Cruises. Suggested by a young genealogist named Becca. (Jul 2018)
- Some construction history including Ellis
Island, railroads and some projects for kids from Construction Disputes. There are links to other sites for more information.
Student Samantha found the Ellis Island section helpful for her school report.
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NYC development & real estate and how it was impacted by immigration including tenement apartments and high rises. This came
from Amelia and her mom. Amelia is studying immigration, ancestry and Ellis Island. (Sep 2021)
- The Tenement Museum in NYC is also a great place to
explore the immigrant experience (my suggestion).
- Researching Family History from Ships Passenger Lists.
A very interesting page from HMY Yachts, a company that works in yacht sales. The page not only has information on ships' passenger lists, but
links to other sites regarding ships' lists and general genealogy research. This came from Amanda in Vermont who has been learning
about genealogy at her local library. (Jul 2022)
- Genealogy for Kids (AAA State of Play).
This site has links to other sites covering what is genealogy, resources and how to do it. This came from Maria and her grandmother
Ana. (Feb 2024)
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General Sites : Free
- FamilySearch.org FamilySearch is from the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints. They have indexes and record images for the US and around the world. They are always adding
more records. Be sure to sign up for an account so you can view the images.
- FamilySearch Wiki for lots of
information on researching different subject and locations (US and around the world).
- Find a Grave Free site of graves posted by
the users. Often you will find links to relatives' graves, pictures, obituaries, etc.
- Elephind Search portal to free newspaper archives around the world.
- Google Books Search on name and location. You never know
what books are out there that will help in your search.
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General Sites : Requires Payment
- Ancestry Pay site for records around the world.
- Fold3 Pay site focusing on military records. Part of the
Ancestry.com websites. Fold3 started as Footnote, so they do have some non-military records such as city directories and newspapers.
- Newspapers Another site in the Ancestry family. This one is
highly addictive and I spend a lot of time accumulating stories and not enough time getting it all entered in my database.
- GenealogyBank Newspapers and Obituaries.
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Immigration
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Death Records
Favorite State Sites (free, many are state or local government sites)
