Free Genealogy Databases

The last decade has seen huge increases in the amount of original genealogy records from around the world posted online that can be used to create your family tree. While user-contributed family trees are still available, the emphasis in recent years has been on databases of global free original record images and transcriptions.



  1. Ancestry.com

    The largest collection of historic records and family trees is a paid subscription, but Ancestry.com offers free records also.

    • Free Ancestry Databases

      The free databases are available to search at the Ancestry site at Ancestry.com Free Index Collection.

      Ancestry.com Free Collection Search
       
      First Name
      Last Name

      		 

      This Free Databases Search contains all the free Ancestry.com record databases but do not include the very popular free Family Trees. There are almost 2000 free databases that include 100's of millions of records.

    • Free Trial
      Want to see Ancestry.com records for free? Try the all access Ancestry.com 14 day free trial. Do this when you have some free time as there is so much you will want to view during your free trial. Don't forget to cancel when the 2 weeks is up.


  2. Billion Graves
    Headstone records found in cemeteries throughout the world with images of headstones and their GPS locations.


  3. Family Search
    Search for your ancestors in the huge free databases of the Mormon LDS Church genealogy archives. In recent years, the Mormon genealogy web site has been adding free online access to millions of original records. These records are available for free to members of all faiths and include images of census records, birth, marriage and death records from around the world. All images are free and downloadable.

    • Records Search
      Images of original genealogy and historical record collections from around the world.

    • Family Tree Search
      Millions of family trees and genealogies in pedigree chart form.



  4. Find a Grave
    Over 100 million world-wide grave records, many of which include images of the headstone, birth date and death date, spouse, an obituary, a biography, and links to grave records of immediate family members.



  5. Geneanet
    One of the top free international genealogy websites. Geneanet specializes in family trees and lists of surnames from around the world. A simple search of their index of surnames along with a location in a range of years helps find others researching the same name. Because pf their large world-wide database, this is very effective.

  6. National Archives and Records Administration
    The US National Archives has been putting many of their databases online and the site is growing all the time.

    • Online Public Access
      Click on "Research our Records" to use the new Online Public Access system for the online public portal to the NARA (US) records .

    • Archival Research Catalog
      Search more than 85 million historic electronic records and the Archival Research Catalog index to 6.3 million records .

    • Worldwide National Archives
      National Archives from around the world


  7. RootsWeb
    Rootsweb is one of oldest FREE genealogy sites on the Internet. It is also one of the largest genealogy sites with millions of pages of free genealogy data with more records are added every day. Many of these world-wide records are user-contributed.


  8. World GenWeb
    Free access to genealogy information around the world including the US. Each country and state has a page on WorldGenWeb with access to free queries, links to genealogy information and free transcribed genealogy records.