Genealogy Research Help &
Finding Aids

Search for your ancestors using this interactive directory of the best free genealogy search engines. Search top world-wide & specialized genealogy databases from one genealogy search site! The Ancestor Search site also has unique custom genealogy search engines found no where else.

Genealogy Search Help & Finding Aids

Genealogy Census Help

• U. S. Census Guide
  Guide, Clues & Research Tips for the U. S. Federal Census 1790-1930.
  • On-line and off-line census
  • Census finding aids and indexes
  • Census questions
  • Census dates
  • Census microfilm numbers
  
  
  
• Census Database Chart
  Compares the on-line census by Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, Godfrey Scholar (Heritage Quest) and the LDS for the years 1790 through 1930 so one can see at a glance which company has an index and census for each year.
  
  
• Census Abbreviations
  Guide to abbreviations found on US census
  
  
• Census Microfilm Numbers
  Guide to NARA microfilm numbers for census index.
  • 1920
  • 1910
  • 1900
  • 1890 fragments
  • 1880
  
  
  
• Soundex (Phonetic) Code Explained
  • Surname to soundex calculator
  • Explanation and limitations of the soundex code.
  • How to use the soundex to find an ancestor in the census index
  
  
  
• 1930 Census Help
  
  • Five ways to find your ancestor in the 1930 census
  • Enumeration district Finder
  • Understanding the soundex of the 12 Southern states

Genealogy Date and Calendar Help

• Birthday Calculator
  Calculate a birthday from the date on a tombstone or death certificate.
  
  
• Perpetual Calendar
  Get a calendar for any month of any year from 0000 to 9999. Also includes calendar definitions for ult. and inst. and other terminology used in dates.
  
  
• Julian to Gregorian Calendar Conversion Dates
  Explanation of the changeover from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar with a list of countries and changeover date. Explanation of Old Style Dates and Double Dating
  
  
• Day of Week Calculator
  Determine the day of the week for a date in any year.

Find Living People

• Person Finder
  Step by step instructions for finding lost family, birth parents, missing friends, military buddies, and loved ones.
  
  
• People Finder
  A premium resource for finding lost family, birth parents, missing friends, military buddies, and loved ones.
  
  
• Reverse Directory
  Enter name, address OR phone number. Find people on same block, or enter an address or phone # to get a name!

Genealogy Database Search Engine Help

• The Social Security Death Index - SSDI
  Ways to find your ancestors in the US SSDI - even if you couldn't find them before - and what to do with the info when you do find them!
  
  
• The Ellis Island Website Search Tips
  Haven't been able to find your ancestor on the Ellis Island website? These ideas may help!
  
  
• RootsWeb Meta Search
  Search many RootsWeb search engines with a single click.
  • World Connect project
  • Obituary Daily Times
  • RootsWeb Surname List
  • Social Security Death Index
  • Gen Connect
  
  
  
• Original Family Search
  The largest repository of genealogy in the world. Understanding the databases at the LDS (Mormon) genealogy family site.
  • Ancestral File
  • the International Genealogical Index (IGI)
  • Pedigree Resource File (PRF)
  
  
  
• Find others searching your family tree
  How to find your cousins who are doing family history research by using genealogy research registry search engines.

Genealogy Google Search Engine Help

• Google Search Tips
  If you haven't tried searching for your ancestors using Google, you will be amazed at all Google can do. Learn all the Google tricks.
  
  
• Easy Google Genealogy Searcher
  If you haven't tried searching for your ancestors using Google, you will be amazed at all Google can do. Learn all the Google tricks.
  
  
• Easy Google Genealogy Searcher, Part II
  Even more Google genealogy searches.
  
  
• Step by Step Google Genealogy
  Learn to create a genealogy query for Google step by step.
  
  

Genealogy Internet Help

• Unwanted Pop-ups
  How to rid yourself of unwanted pop-up ads and make your computer run faster at the same time - all for free.
  
  
• Learn to Spell Genealogy Correctly
  Spell genealogy the correct way to have success in your genealogy searches.

Genealogy Records Repositories Help

• Irish Records Resources
  Resources to help find your Irish Ancestor.



• UK Records Resources
  Resources to help find your UK, English, Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland Ancestor.



• U.S. State Archives
  Archives often contain documents relating to the history of the state including military records and pension files, county and local histories, diaries, letters, manuscripts, directories, tax rolls, deeds, land grants, voter registration rolls, photographs and other unusual materials. Sometimes, the state archives will hold birth, marriage, death and probate records.

Genealogy Resource Help

• Genealogy Freebies
  Free genealogy resources: charts, lessons, software, databases, lookups, relationship charts, form letters, translation services, clip art, contests. All free!



• Free Trials to Ancestry.com and Genealogy.com databases
  Why pay when you can view for free? Census, immigration, U.S. & Canada, UK & Ireland, Historic Newspaper, Genealogy Library, Family & Local Histories Collection, World Family Tree, much more. All of Ancestry.com and Genealogy.com databases can be viewed for free!
  

Genealogy Search Engine Help

• Google
  If you haven't tried searching for your ancestors using Google, you will be amazed at all Google can do. Learn all the Google tricks.
  
  
• Tips for Using Search Engines effectively
  Ways to make your on-line searches more productive and ways to avoid common search engine pitfalls.
  
  
• Soundex Searches
  How to use Soundex search engines.
  
  
• Family Tree Maker Software
  A genealogy program that helps with your family tree searches.
  
  
• How a Web Page Can Help
  Looking for missing pieces in your family puzzle? Use a web page to "post" your missing pieces.
  
  
• Turn Genealogy into Family History
  Fleshing out the details of your ancestor's lives.
  
  
• Family Tree Maker
  Searching just got easier!
  
  

Genealogy Software Help

• Family Tree Maker 2012
  Family Tree Maker has been updated and reorganized to simplify the overall use of the program, including entering information, moving around within your family tree and accessing all of Family Tree Maker's rich features and tools.
  
  
• Family Tree Maker Software
  A full featured genealogy program that helps with your family tree searches.
  
  
• Record your Genealogy
  Free genealogy software, forms, charts and templates.

Genealogy Surname Help

• Quick Search Surname Finder
  Enter your surname once, search 20 genealogy search engines. A surname specific search engine that searches genealogy databases and finds surnames even if a common word.



• Learn Genealogy
  Learn how to research your family ancestry and find your ancestors.



• Share your Genealogy
  Find out who else is researching the same family names. Facilitate your own research by registering your surnames.



• Soundex Explained
  It is easier to find your ancestors on the soundex census index and soundex search engines if you understand the soundex code and its limitations.



• Build a WebPage
  Looking for missing pieces in your family puzzle? One way to have your distant cousins find you and facilitate your own research is by building a genealogy web page.
  

U. S. Military Genealogy Help

• U. S. Military Help
  Ways to determine if your ancestor served in the military and possibly received a pension. Instructions in ordering military records from the Nation Archives (NARA).
  
  
• US Military Research guides
  Assistance in using NARA's records for your research for all US wars
  
  
• US State Archives
  Order Military records for the US militia.
  
  
• Confederate Records
  How to order Confederate records held at state repositories.
  
  
• NARA Guide
  Ordering military records from NARA
  

Genealogy Tools

• Age Calculator
  Calculate the difference between any two dates. Use to calculate age at death, or current age.
  
  
• Birthdate Calculator
  Calculate a birthdate from information found on a tombstone or death certificate.
  
  
• Cousin Calculator
  Calculate the relationship between two blood relatives, and print an multi-generational cousin chart. See just who is your cousin once-removed or second cousin twice-removed.



• Day of Week Calculator
  Enter any date to determine the day.



• Inflation Calculator
  Calculate the approximate value in today's money value for ancestor's salaries, amounts left in wills, etc.



• Roman Numeral Converter
  Convert Roman Numerals found on tombstones and genealogy records to regular numbers.



• Soundex Calculator
  Convert any name to soundex, learn the soundex rules, its limitations, and how to use the soundex.



• Tombstone Birthdate Calculator
  Calculate birthdate from information found on a tombstone or death certificate.