Research my family tree for free (merged threads)

Mik77

Has anyone done this, I've got details of grandparents maiden names, however don't know where to start (in terms of which programmes to use, places to look)

any help, advise greatly recieved, thanks.

swiftnick

Never tried myself but this might help....

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk

Nick

wallbash

I use Family Tree maker, its fairly fool proof.
Thats the software..... the easy part.

Plenty of places/sites to google. One dead relative soon leads to others.
The Church of the latter day saints ( Mormans) have a huge data base , which is easy to access.
Warning , the hobby can become addictive.

kathybinns

Much can be discovered without parting with any money.
For a FREE family tree program go to the LDS website and download their software

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp?page=home/welcome/simplePAFRegistration.asp

Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is a free genealogy and family history program. PAF allows you to quickly and easily collect, organize and share your family history and genealogy information.
If your ancestors were from the UK try these free to use searchable websites.

http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/

For further information about what is available for different regions try

http://www.genuki.org.uk/

Happy hunting.
Kathy

justevi

Mik77 wrote: »

Has anyone done this, I've got details of grandparents maiden names, however don't know where to start (in terms of which programmes to use, places to look)

any help, advise greatly recieved, thanks.

I have sent you a PM with my email addy if you need help to get started.

Happy to help anyone out who wants to get started or is stuck.

Grumpelstiltskin

This is a very good free forum to join.
http://www.rootschat.com/

Also free is the BBC Family History message board.

Can I say a couple of things.

Firstly you cannot research your family history properly without some cost. At some point you have to buy BMD certificates, England and Wales are £7 each, Scotland is a whole different ball game.

The second thing is if you find an online family tree that features your ancestors then please please do not copy it without checking it yourself.
I am afraid the quality and research or lack of it on some online trees is unbelievable.
Good luck and enjoy your research, it can be addictive.

System

I'm tempted to start putting together a family tree, after getting an email from http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/home/ I had a look at this, but the minute you start venturing, they ask for money.

I had the BBC family tree rom, but that may not be suitable for Vista, I tried using it but it warned me that several things hadn't been successfully loaded, not i can't even get rid of it via add/remove.

So, does anyone know where I can find a website that will allow me to produce a tree, add to it gradually, and all for free

456789

Untested:

http://www.geni.com/

http://www.download.com/Simple-Family-Tree/3000-2127_4-10548885.html

http://www.download.com/MyHeritage-Family-Tree-Builder/3000-2056_4-202060.html

Grumpelstiltskin

You can download a free family history programme from here.
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp

There is also a lot of information on that site including the 1881 census, but as a newcomer I would suggest you join a forum such as Rootschat.com (free) and look at the BBC family history message board. Be wary of Genes reunited it has gone downhill recently

Most information is on Ancestry.co.uk but it is a subscription site although you can get a 14 day free trial ( you have to give them cc details and remember to cancel in time) or most libraries have it free to view on their computers.

justevi

I swear by genesreunited and you can put your tree on there free. I have to admit I prefer the old format but I still think its the best way of getting contact with others researching the same lines. You dont have to subscribe but if you dont you wont be able to contact others who have matches with your tree but at £10 for year its pretty good value.

Grumpelstiltskin

The problem with Genes is an awful lot of the trees on there are not vey well researched and it is plagued by name collectors who ask to see your tree and promptly attach the whole lot to their tree.
You get the sort of thing like 'You have a John Smith born Birmingham 1850 can I see your tree' If you show it them you find all your hard work appearing on their tree and their John Smith was born in 1900 in Glasgow.
I have said this before and it is something I do go on about, please, please check any information you take from any online trees.
It's not about name collecting and boasting 'I have xxxxx names in my tree' If you haven't researched or checked them yourself it means nothing.