Unlocking Your Family Tree: Top 5 Genealogy Tools to Try

 As someone who has spent countless hours navigating the vast sea of online resources, I’d like to share some of my favorite genealogy tools. These are the tools I use most often in my own research, including the free sites I’ve come to rely on, as well as the paid resource I consider indispensable for my work. If you’re just beginning or looking to take your research to the next level, these tools could be exactly what you need to unlock new branches of your family tree.

1. Find A Grave: Your Go-To for Ancestor Cemeteries and Death Records

When it comes to uncovering your ancestors’ final resting places, Find A Grave is a priceless tool. This free resource allows you to search through millions of cemetery records from across the globe, many of which include not just the basic details (like birth and death dates), but also photographs, obituaries, and links to other family members buried nearby.

I use Find A Grave extensively to track down ancestors who might be "lost" in terms of official documentation but whose gravestones might reveal important clues. The community-driven nature of the site is also fantastic—other researchers often upload photos or detailed family connections that can provide breakthroughs.

Not all information is accurate, though. So be sure to cross-check another source for specifics.

Why it’s valuable:

• Free access to cemetery records, photos, and more

• Community-driven content that helps fill in gaps

• Connects you to other genealogists who may be researching the same family lines

If you can't find what you want on Find A Grave, try:

• Billion Graves

• Internment. net

• Obituary Daily

2. WikiTree: A Collaborative Family Tree Community

WikiTree is an exciting platform that blends genealogy research with a collaborative, crowd-sourced approach. It allows you to build and share your family tree with others and access millions of existing trees created by fellow genealogists. The site is completely free and emphasizes "one shared tree"—meaning there’s no need to create a new profile for an ancestor that’s already been researched by someone else.

The collaborative aspect of WikiTree is incredibly helpful for discovering distant relatives and adding sources to your family tree that you might not have found otherwise. The site also has built-in features to help you prevent duplicates and verify sources, which is invaluable when you're working with complex family lines.

Why it’s valuable:

• Free, global, shared family tree

• Easy collaboration with others

• Verifiable sources to ensure accurate research

• Community forums and projects to aid your research

3. LDS (FamilySearch): The Powerhouse of Free Genealogy Resources

No list of free genealogy tools would be complete without mentioning FamilySearch, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). This site is one of the largest and most comprehensive free genealogy databases in the world, offering access to billions of records from around the globe.

FamilySearch is often my first stop when I begin research on a new line. Whether you’re searching for census records, birth and marriage certificates, or even military documents, FamilySearch has an impressive collection, and new records are being added regularly. What I particularly appreciate is their vast network of genealogists who upload family trees and collaborate with each other, making it easier to find long-lost relatives.

Why it’s valuable:

• Free access to billions of genealogical records

• Expansive, global database that continues to grow

• Collaborative family trees to help you trace your lineage

4. National Archives: Digging Into U.S. Government Records

The National Archives is another indispensable resource, especially for those researching American ancestors. The U.S. National Archives offers free access to a treasure trove of documents, including census data, immigration records, military records, and more. I’ve used it extensively for finding naturalization documents, WWII draft cards, and military service records.

One of the best features of the National Archives is the ability to view many records in a digital format (although some older or more sensitive records may require a visit to the physical archive). The site also provides helpful tools for understanding how to search through their vast collection, making it easier for beginners to get started.

Why it’s valuable:

• Free access to U.S. government records

• Helpful guides for using and navigating the archive

• Vital records like military files, census data, and naturalizations

5. American Ancestors: A Must-Have for New England Research

While American Ancestors is a paid subscription site, it’s absolutely worth the investment if you're interested in New England genealogy, especially in tracing the early colonial settlers. One of my favorite resources on the site is the Great Migration Series, which details the lives and journeys of early immigrants to New England between 1620 and 1640. The site also offers rich records on early New England immigrants and their descendants, making it a goldmine for anyone with roots in this region.

I’ve used American Ancestors specifically for breaking through brick walls related to my New England ancestors, especially those who arrived during the early 1600s. The depth of their records and the scholarly nature of the content is invaluable when researching early American history.

They have various levels of subscription, depending on which sources you want to access. There is something for everyone.

Why it’s valuable:

• Excellent resource for New England research

• The Great Migration Series is a crucial reference for early settlers

• Extensive records and detailed biographical information

6. Connecting the Dots Between Tools

As you can see, each of these tools has a unique strength, and the real power comes when you combine them. For example:

• Start with FamilySearch to gather general information and census data.

• Use Find A Grave to track down specific burial locations and cross-reference that information with online obituaries or other family trees on WikiTree.

• Then, dive into American Ancestors if your research leads you to early New England settlers or if you're looking for more in-depth historical context on your ancestors.

• Throughout all this, leverage National Archives for U.S. military, immigration, and naturalization records to fill in the blanks.

Final Thoughts

The world of genealogy is vast, and thanks to these incredible (and mostly free) resources, tracing your family history has never been more accessible. Whether you’re uncovering grave markers, collaborating on WikiTree, searching through FamilySearch’s massive database, or diving deep into the National Archives, each tool adds a valuable piece to your genealogical puzzle.

If you’re just getting started or feel overwhelmed, don’t worry—start small and explore these resources bit by bit. And if you’re like me, you’ll find that the joy of piecing together your family’s story is well worth the journey.

Preserving Family Artifacts When There’s No One to Pass Them On To

Family artifacts—like my father’s Navy memorabilia and his treasured pilot logbook—are more than just objects. They’re pieces of a life once lived, pages from a story that shaped who I am. But what do you do when you cherish these things deeply, yet find yourself with no clear heir to take them when you’re gone?

This is a question I’ve wrestled with—and one that many people face, especially those without children or close family. The good news is: these artifacts don’t have to be lost. There are ways to preserve them, honor their history, and even share them with others who value their significance.

1. Document the Story Behind the Artifacts

Objects without stories risk becoming anonymous. Take time to write down the history behind each item—where it came from, who owned it, why it mattered. For my father’s logbook, I’ve added a few pages with photos of him in uniform, and notes about where he flew, what he saw, and how it impacted his life.

You can:

• Create a short written history to include with each item

• Record an audio or video explanation of what the item means to you

• Use labels, tags, or folders for collections (digital or physical)

2. Digitize for Future Generations

Whether or not someone takes the physical items, digital copies can live on. Scan logbooks, photograph medals or uniforms, and save everything to a cloud drive. Add notes or metadata to explain each file.

Even better—consider submitting some digital versions to:

• Online archives (like Fold3 for military records)

• Virtual family trees (on Ancestry, MyHeritage, or FamilySearch)

• A personal website or blog documenting your family history

3. Find a Permanent Home: Museums, Archives, or Historical Societies

You might be surprised how many organizations are eager to preserve personal histories—especially related to military service. Your father's pilot log and memorabilia could be valuable to:

• A local veterans’ museum

• A military or naval aviation museum

• A state historical society

• The Library of Congress Veterans History Project (for recordings, letters, etc.)

Reach out with a brief description of what you have. Curators and archivists are often grateful for meaningful, well-documented items.

4. Create a Legacy Collection

If you’re comfortable with the idea, curate a small “legacy box” to be donated in the future. Include:

• Key artifacts

• A summary of the items and your family story

• Your contact info and final wishes for the items

This can also be registered with historical preservation groups, or even included in your will with donation instructions.

5. Share the Story Widely

You may not have family to pass things on to, but your story still matters. Share it:

• In a blog post like this

• On social media history groups

• Through an article submitted to a veterans' magazine or local newspaper

You never know who might read it—a distant relative, a history buff, a researcher. Sometimes strangers become the next caretakers of family stories.

It’s hard to hold the weight of memories when you’re unsure of their future. But preserving and sharing them—digitally, publicly, historically—can ensure they live on, even beyond your personal circle. You may not know who will care for these artifacts one day, but if you put them into the world with care, someone will.

And that, I believe, is a legacy worth leaving.

Getting Started with Family History: A Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy Research

Have you ever wondered where you came from—not just the place, but the people, the stories, the roots? Genealogy is the journey of discovering those connections, and the good news is: you don’t need to be a historian or have a fancy subscription to get started.

Whether you’re looking to build your family tree or just want to know more about your grandparents' lives, here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you begin your family history journey.

1. Start With What You Know

You might be surprised how much you already have. Write down everything you know about your immediate family:

• Full names (including maiden names)

• Birth, marriage, and death dates

• Places of residence

• Occupations, religious affiliations, or military service

Use a simple notebook, spreadsheet, or a free family tree template to begin organizing the information. Start with yourself and work backward.

2. Talk to Your Relatives—Now

Your best sources of family history may be sitting at the next family gathering or just a phone call away. Older relatives can provide names, dates, family stories, and even clues that don’t exist in records.

Here are some starter questions:

• "What do you remember about your parents or grandparents?"

• "Do we have any old family photos or letters?"

• "Are there any family traditions or stories that were passed down?"

Tip: Record the conversation (with permission). These stories become priceless treasures later.

3. Organize Your Documents

Start gathering any family records you can find—birth certificates, marriage licenses, obituaries, letters, photographs, military records, even postcards.

Create folders (physical or digital) by family line or person. Label everything clearly. If you're scanning documents, be sure to save high-quality copies and back them up in multiple places (USB, cloud storage, etc.).

4. Use Free Online Tools

You don’t have to spend a dime to get started online. There are some fantastic free resources for beginners:

• FamilySearch.org – A massive free genealogy site with global records and a collaborative family tree.

• FindAGrave.com – Cemetery and burial records with user-contributed photos and obituaries.

• USGenWeb.org – A grassroots project of volunteers offering free genealogy info by U.S. state and county.

• The National Archives (archives.gov) – Free access to U.S. census, military, and immigration records.

Create a free account where needed, and begin exploring. Focus on just one ancestor or family line at first—it helps keep things manageable.

5. Expect Surprises—and Dead Ends

Genealogy is a puzzle with some missing pieces. You may discover unexpected name changes, lost relatives, or gaps in the paper trail. That’s normal.

When you hit a “brick wall,” don’t get discouraged:

• Try searching alternate spellings

• Look for neighbors or relatives in census records

• Join a genealogy group (online or local) for support

Remember: every detail you uncover is a step forward.

6. Celebrate and Share Your Progress

As your family tree grows, take time to reflect on what you’ve found. Share it with others—make a photo album, start a simple website, or print a timeline of your ancestors’ lives.

Genealogy isn’t just about the past—it’s a way to strengthen connections, honor those who came before, and preserve stories for those yet to come.

Getting started with genealogy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Begin with curiosity. Gather what you know. Talk to your people. Use the tools available. And most of all—enjoy the journey.

You’re not just collecting names—you’re bringing your family’s story back to life.

Old Photos and Forgotten Stories: Preserving Your Family’s Visual History

We all have that shoebox—or old album—tucked away in a drawer, filled with fading black-and-white photos, unknown faces, and handwritten dates curling at the edges. These images are more than just snapshots; they’re fragments of your family’s story. And they deserve to be preserved.

Whether you’re a budding family historian or simply want to rescue the visual legacy of your ancestors, here’s how to breathe new life into those old photographs and ensure their stories aren’t lost to time.

1. Gather and Sort What You Have

Start by collecting all the family photos you can find—from your own home, relatives, or even attics and storage bins. Don't worry if they’re disorganized or in rough shape—this is just the beginning.

Sort them by:

• Family line or surname

• Approximate date or decade

• Event (weddings, holidays, military, school)

Use sticky notes or index cards to make initial labels. This will help later when digitizing and identifying people.

2. Scan and Digitize for Long-Term Preservation

Old photographs are fragile. Over time, they fade, tear, and deteriorate. Scanning them preserves a digital copy you can enhance, share, and store safely.

How to scan:

• Use a flatbed scanner (at least 300 dpi; 600 dpi for best results)

• Scan both front and back (notes on the back can hold vital clues!)

• Save in high-quality formats like TIFF or PNG for preservation; JPEG is fine for sharing

• Use consistent file names, e.g., Smith_Family_Reunion_1942.jpg

If you don’t have a scanner, there are excellent mobile apps like Photomyne, Google PhotoScan, and FamilySearch Memories for quick digitizing.

3. Restore and Enhance (Carefully)

Digital tools make it easier than ever to fix old photos without damaging the originals.

You can:

• Remove scratches and dust

• Brighten faded images

• Repair torn edges or missing spots

• Colorize black-and-white photos (optional and often controversial—do so respectfully)

Free or affordable tools include:

• Pixlr (online photo editor)

• Photopea (Photoshop-style interface in your browser)

• MyHeritage In Color & Enhance (for AI-based fixes and colorization)

Always keep a copy of the unedited scan!

4. Label and Tag with Names, Dates, and Stories

This part is crucial: A photo without context becomes a mystery. Add as much information as you can:

• Who is in the photo?

• When and where was it taken?

• What’s happening in the picture?

• Are there family stories connected to it?

Use metadata fields (in apps like Google Photos or Lightroom), or keep a document that links file names to full descriptions. If you’re uploading to family tree websites or cloud storage, take advantage of tagging and caption tools.

Don’t know who’s in a photo? Ask family members or post in genealogy forums—you might be surprised who recognizes a face.

5. Share Your Family’s Visual Story

Now that your images are safe, labeled, and enhanced, it’s time to share them:

• Create a digital album with folders for different family branches

• Start a private Facebook group for relatives to view, comment, and add their own photos

• Print a photo book that combines images with family stories and timelines

• Contribute to online family trees (Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage) where other relatives can find them

You’re not just preserving photos—you’re inviting others into the larger story.

Old family photos connect generations in ways words alone can’t. A child seeing the face of a great-grandparent, a veteran’s uniform in crisp black and white, a handwritten date on the back of a love-worn image—these are the moments that make history feel personal.

Take the time to preserve your family’s visual history. Because one day, someone will be grateful you did.

Genealogy and DNA: What Your Genetic Results Can (and Can’t) Tell You

Over the past decade, at-home DNA tests have transformed genealogy from a paper trail into a personal journey through your genetic code. With a simple cheek swab or saliva sample, companies promise to uncover your ancestry, connect you with relatives, and reveal the secrets of your family tree.

But how much of that is reality—and how much is just good marketing?

In this post, we’ll look at what DNA testing can do for your family history research, what it can’t, and how to make the most of your results.

What DNA Can Tell You

1. Ethnicity Estimates (With a Grain of Salt)

Most people start with a curiosity about where their ancestors came from. DNA companies offer ethnicity estimates—percentages that suggest your heritage by region (e.g., 40% Irish, 20% Scandinavian).
While fascinating, these results are not exact science. They're based on comparing your DNA to modern reference populations, which are constantly being updated.

Bottom line: Use them as a general guide, not a precise breakdown.

2. DNA Matches with Living Relatives

Perhaps the most powerful tool in DNA testing is the match list—people who share segments of DNA with you, meaning you share a common ancestor.
These matches can help you:

• Find unknown cousins

• Break through research "brick walls"

• Confirm paper trails in your family tree

Some platforms (like AncestryDNA and MyHeritage) even suggest common ancestors based on shared matches and family trees.

3. Confirm or Challenge Lineage

If you’ve built a family tree through traditional research, DNA can help confirm relationships—or reveal surprises.
For example, Y-DNA (passed from father to son) and mitochondrial DNA (passed from mother to all children) can track deep ancestry along direct paternal or maternal lines.

What DNA Can’t Tell You

1. Exact Relationships

While DNA can tell you that someone is likely a close relative (say, a second cousin), it can’t tell you how you’re related. You’ll still need traditional research to place that puzzle piece.

2. Detailed Family Stories

DNA won’t reveal your great-grandfather’s profession or the name of the village your family left behind. For that, you’ll still need:

• Census records

• Immigration documents

• Church and civil records

• Oral history

3. Everything About Your Health or Traits

Some tests offer information about inherited traits or health risks—but these should be viewed cautiously. They’re not a substitute for medical advice, and not all testing companies are medically reviewed.

Tips for Using DNA Effectively in Your Research

1. Build a Family Tree
   Even a basic tree can help connect the dots between you and your matches. Some services let you link your tree directly to your DNA profile.

2. Use Shared Matches to Group Relatives
   Group your DNA matches by common ancestors or family lines. Tools like “Shared Matches” (Ancestry) or “Clusters” (MyHeritage) help you identify which side of the family a match comes from.

3. Upload to Multiple Platforms
   You can often upload your raw DNA data from one service (e.g., AncestryDNA) to others (like MyHeritage, GEDmatch, or FamilyTreeDNA) for free or a small fee. This increases your chances of finding useful matches.

4. Be Prepared for Surprises
   DNA can uncover unexpected truths—adoption, misattributed parentage, or unknown siblings. Take time to process these discoveries and approach them with empathy—for yourself and others.

5. Respect Privacy
   Not everyone wants to explore their genetic history. Always be respectful when reaching out to DNA matches, and follow the platform’s etiquette and consent guidelines.

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Choosing the Right DNA Test

Company	Best For
AncestryDNA	Largest match database, strong tree integration
23andMe	Health + ancestry, basic relative matching
MyHeritage	International matches, chromosome tools
FamilyTreeDNA	Advanced Y-DNA and mtDNA testing (my personal favorite)
Living DNA	Detailed UK/Irish regional breakdown

DNA is a powerful tool in genealogy, but it works best when paired with traditional records and good old-fashioned detective work. It can help you find missing branches in your family tree, confirm your research, and even uncover relatives you never knew existed.

Just remember—your DNA tells a story, but it’s only part of the picture. You bring the context. You bring the names, the stories, the connections.

And that’s what makes your family history come to life.

Breaking Through Brick Walls: Tips for Solving Genealogy Mysteries

If you’ve been researching your family tree for any length of time, chances are you’ve hit a brick wall—that maddening point where the trail runs cold and your ancestor seems to vanish into thin air.

Don’t worry. You’re not alone—and your research isn’t over. Brick walls are part of the journey, not the end of it.

Here are some tried-and-true strategies to help you chip away at those obstacles and keep your genealogy discoveries moving forward.

1. Be Flexible with Spellings and Names

Spelling wasn’t standardized until relatively recently, and even then, record keepers often wrote names phonetically. A person might appear as “Smyth” in one record and “Smith” in another—or “Elisabeth” in one census and “Lizzy” in the next.

Tips:

• Try wildcards in search engines (e.g., Sm?th or Sm*th).

• Search with variant spellings, nicknames, and abbreviations.

• Don’t forget transcription errors—scan original images when possible.

2. Zoom Out: Think in Terms of Migration Patterns

If your ancestor suddenly disappears from records, consider whether they moved elsewhere. Families often migrated together or followed economic opportunities like railroad work, mining booms, or westward expansion.

Strategies:

• Look at migration routes common in the time period (e.g., wagon roads, canals, rail lines).

• Search nearby counties and neighboring states.

• Study land records—did they sell land just before disappearing?

3. Dig Into Local Archives and Repositories

Not all records are online. In fact, many valuable documents are still in courthouses, historical societies, and local libraries.

What to look for:

• Probate records and wills

• Church records and cemetery lists

• Tax lists, land deeds, and voter rolls

• Local newspapers (often not digitized)

Contact local librarians or county clerks—they often know what’s available and where to find it.

4. Track the Whole Family (Not Just Your Direct Line)

Sometimes the key to breaking down a wall isn’t with your ancestor—it’s with their siblings, in-laws, or children. These collateral relatives can appear in records your direct ancestor doesn’t.

Ideas:

• Follow siblings and cousins through censuses and marriages.

• Look for multi-generational households—especially in census years.

• Pay attention to who appears as witnesses in wills or land transactions.

5. Use DNA to Shake Loose New Clues

If you’ve done traditional research and still can’t find the connection, DNA testing can offer new leads. Sites like AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, and 23andMe provide match lists that may help you identify unknown branches or confirm relationships.

Start by:

• Building out trees for close DNA matches

• Looking for surname overlaps or shared locations

• Using chromosome mapping (on GEDmatch or MyHeritage) to triangulate relationships

6. Read the Fine Print—Literally

Never rely solely on indexed search results. Always view the original documents when you can. Marginal notes, misspellings, annotations, and crossed-out names can offer valuable context that digital indexes miss.

Also, read entire pages—not just the line with your ancestor. Neighbors may turn out to be family. I often find the parents of the wife with no last name in the Census records!

7. Pause, Rethink, and Review

Sometimes the best next step is to step back. Re-read your notes. Create a timeline. Reorganize your research. What did you miss?

Questions to ask:

• Am I making assumptions based on another researcher’s tree?

• Could two people with the same name be getting confused?

• Have I searched for them under a spouse’s name or an alternate occupation?

Fresh eyes—and a fresh mind—can make all the difference.

Every genealogist hits a wall eventually. But with persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to try new strategies, even the toughest mysteries can start to crack.

Remember: the brick wall isn’t the end of the road. It’s an invitation to dig deeper.

Happy hunting—and may your next breakthrough be just around the corner.

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🧱 Brick Wall Toolkit: A Genealogist’s Checklist for Breaking Through Dead Ends

Use this worksheet to organize your thoughts, revisit sources, and uncover new research paths when you're stuck.

🔍 1. Review What You Know

• Write out a timeline of your ancestor’s life (birth, marriage, children, death).

• List every known location where they lived.

• Review your sources—what are facts, and what are assumptions?

• Have you documented siblings, children, spouses, and neighbors?

🗂 2. Explore Name Variations

• Try alternate spellings of first and last names.

• Look for nicknames or initials (e.g., “Lizzie” for “Elizabeth”).

• Search for phonetic variations (use wildcards in searches).

• Consider transcription errors in census or handwritten records.

🧭 3. Study Migration and Movement

• Have you checked neighboring counties or states?

• Investigate known migration routes (trails, rivers, railroads).

• Did the family relocate as a unit? Look at the whole household.

🏛 4. Go Local

• Contact historical societies or local libraries.

• Visit (or write to) county courthouses for land, tax, or probate records.

• Check church, cemetery, and funeral home records.

• Read local newspapers—births, marriages, obituaries, court notices.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 5. Expand the Family Net

• Research siblings, cousins, in-laws.

• Follow witnesses on documents—they may be family or close associates.

• Use FAN Club methodology (Friends, Associates, Neighbors).

🧬 6. Use DNA as a Tool

• Test with a major DNA company (Ancestry, MyHeritage, 23andMe).

• Review shared matches and build their trees.

• Upload raw DNA to GEDmatch or FamilyTreeDNA for broader analysis.

• Look for surname and location matches among your DNA cousins.

📜 7. Revisit Old Records with Fresh Eyes

• Re-read original record images (not just the index).

• Check full census pages to examine neighbors.

• Read margins and notes—especially on deeds and wills.

🧠 8. Pause and Reassess

• Step away for a day or week—return with fresh perspective.

• Ask someone else to review your work.

• Look for record types you haven’t explored (e.g., occupational, school, court).

✍️ 9. Record Your Hypotheses

Write down theories or leads you haven’t confirmed yet, and list what evidence would be needed to support or disprove them.

• Example: I believe John Smith moved to Missouri around 1850. I need land or census records to confirm.

• Hypothesis: ___________________________

• Evidence to confirm: ___________________

✅ Keep Track of What You've Tried

Sometimes knowing what didn’t work is just as important as what did. Record search terms, databases, and dates.

• Sites searched: _______________________

• Repositories contacted: _______________

• Alternate names used: ________________

• Notes/next steps: _____________________

🔁 Genealogy is about the long game. Don’t get discouraged—get strategic.