Genealogy is often referred to as family history: it's the study of your ancestors, lineage, and heritage. If you've ever wondered about where your grandparents came from, what family traits have been passed down through the years, or if you're related to someone famous, you've already been interested in genealogy.

Why do people want to research their family tree?

There are a lot of reasons why people are interested in their genealogy. Some people are curious to verify old family stories about "the old country" or having "royal blood". Others hope to connect with living relatives by tracing their ancestry; this is especially common for people who were adopted (or have parents/grandparents who were). And, a growing segment of genealogy researchers are hoping to get dual citizenship by documenting that their family tree has recent connections to another country.

Where do I begin with my genealogy?

Start with what you know: the names, birth/death dates and places of your parents and grandparents, if you have them. If you still have living relatives, they'll be one of your best sources of information. From there, choose an online genealogy platform that allows you to create a family tree and start entering the details you get. (Even guesses or approximations are okay when you're getting started.) Then, you'll use online databases to find documents that support those facts, like census records or birth certificates, if you don't already have them in your possession.

How do DNA tests help me know where I came from?

DNA testing is the biggest trend in genealogy right now, and with good reason: it's one of the most reliable ways to find living relatives, confirm suspected parentage, and even get ethnicity estimates. However, the science is still evolving, so be ready to take any results you get with a grain of salt.

What kinds of records are available online?

You'll find everything from birth/death/marriage certificates to yearbook photos and beyond when you use a genealogy service. One of the most popular types of genealogical records is the US Census, which documents every household in the nation every 10 years. You can often find details about your relatives' educational level, income, how many children they had, and how long they had been married at the time. Even documents like draft registration records can tell you a person's height, weight, hair and eye color.

Why should I pay for a genealogy service?

There are many genealogical records available at no cost, but the vast majority require you to pay to access them. You could pay for individual documents through county clerks' offices, but it usually makes more sense to subscribe to an online genealogy service that lets you search and view billions of records at your convenience. Most genealogy platforms also make it easy to connect with other people who might be doing research in the same part of the world or with the same family names, and to get help if you get stuck.

Are genealogy services expensive?

Not at all. You can get a subscription for anywhere from $10 to $25 per month, and there are usually discounts if you pay for your plan annually instead of monthly. Most genealogy sites also have different levels of service: for example, if you know that you only need access to records from the United States and not worldwide, you can probably choose a less costly plan than the all-inclusive package.

Do I have any famous relatives?

That's probably one of the most common questions asked by people who are interested in learning about their family tree. Most of us have heard that we descended from royalty, right? It's possible that those family stories are true, but you'll have to start by charting out your family tree to see if you connect with any famous people at some point in the past. The good news is that many famous family trees have already been established, which should make it easier to discover your connection (if there is one).

Archives vs FamilySearch for November 2025

Item: Archives vs FamilySearch
Rating: 2
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Most people carry a deep, built-in urge to understand who they are and where they come from, and genealogy offers a compelling way into that search - tracing relatives on both sides of the family, the places they called home, and the stories they passed down can spark a powerful sense of identity, pride, and self-worth. Along the way, names on a chart turn into real people, and their journeys cast fresh light on our own.

Genealogy has taken off as a hobby for people of all ages because it's simpler than ever. Instead of trekking to government offices for vital records or wandering through cemeteries to piece together names and dates, you can tap into vast online collections from home. What once felt like a tangled puzzle is now approachable, thanks to companies that have compiled billions of records and tools that guide you step by step. Many sites even link hints across documents - census pages, obituaries, and yearbooks - so your family tree grows with surprising speed. With so much at your fingertips, building a family tree has never been more accessible.

Genealogy websites do far more than list the names on your family tree - they often include photos and the documents attached to each record. It's easy to lose hours, even days, paging through journal entries, old newspaper clippings, and notes shared by relatives about a single ancestor. Along the way, you might even connect with distant cousins who can help fill in missing pieces. Discovering the people who made your life possible is remarkable and will likely teach you more about yourself than you ever imagined.

With online genealogy sites, you can sit at home and tap into massive collections of historical records, DNA matches, and shared family trees in an instant. That kind of access lowers the barrier for everyone - from first-time hobbyists to seasoned researchers - no matter their budget or experience. Many platforms even walk you through the process with smart hints and record suggestions, helping you keep moving when you're not sure where to look next.

Find an online genealogy platform with the tools you need, and you'll quickly see why so many people get hooked. Plenty of folks have tracked down long-lost relatives and rebuilt connections they thought were gone, all through a bit of digging. With most services, you just create an account and dive in - the process is simple, but the discoveries can be profound. Before long, you may find yourself piecing together stories that bring your family's past to life.

When deciding which online genealogy service to spend your time and energy with, take the following things into consideration:

Variety of information. Does the company have a plethora of information that you easily search online? What types of records do they keep on file that you can view? How does the layout of all the information compare to other genealogy sites? You'll want to easily be able to sort through files and keep things organized.
Features. Can you easily create your own family tree? Or can you search for a family member and easily get connected with a tree that has been started for you? Are other family members able to contribute to your ancestors' information through uploading documents, photos, and stories?
Cost. Some of the best genealogy sites are completely free. But, there are valuable resources on today's popular paid sites as well. Does the company charge a one-time fee for access to your family tree? Or do you have to pay a subscription? What happens to your family tree if you cancel your membership? How does the price of one genealogy site compare to another?

Ready to research your genealogy? Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best places for you to get started on your personal family tree. We know this information will help you make life-changing discoveries that give you a deeper sense of who you are and an appreciation for those who came before you.

FamilySearch

Free for everyone
12.19 billion searchable names
Community family trees

FamilySearch is a free tool available to anyone interested in doing their family history work. Funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch is utilized by over 200 million people per year. The platform is easy to use and understand and each account comes with numerous ways individuals can get help from trained genealogists at no cost. Families can contribute to the same family tree, ensuring information is double-checked and ancestor profiles have as much information as possible. Through FamilySearch, users will have a valuable experience and have more than enough help needed to grow their family tree. We highly recommend starting here to research your genealogy.

Archives vs FamilySearch

2025 Genealogy Service Reviews

Archives

FamilySearch

Genealogy Service FAQ