Building a family tree can be an exciting activity, giving you the opportunity to connect with your extended family and uncover interesting stories from the past. But, it’s not easily done, unless you use an online genealogy site.
These days, you can find a variety of online genealogy sites that are affordable and easy to use. You can also find desktop-based software that you can use when you are offline. But how do you know which sites are actually providing legitimate information?
Here are the factors you should consider while choosing an online genealogy site, and our picks for the top three.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Genealogy Site
When you’re trying to find a suitable online genealogy site, ensure you keep the following factors in mind:
Consider the amount of genealogical information you already have
Check the import accuracy of the family tree builder (if you already have sufficient genealogical data)
Select a family tree builder with multiple genealogical sites integrations (if you are in the process of collecting information)
Ensure the tool is easy to use and comprises a user-friendly interface
Top 3 Online Genealogy Sites
Ancestry.com
Out of all the family tree builders we tested, we found Ancestry to be the easiest to use. With Ancestry, you can build your family tree as you search for data; you don’t need to have all the information with you at once. You can begin with a basic family tree, starting from yourself to your parents to their parents, and so on; you’ll see matches from “Ancestry,” that appear as leaves. To check each record on the website, you can click individual leaves. You can find matches on the website itself and add them to your tree, or add data manually too.
What We Liked
Extremely easy to use
Simple, user-friendly interface
Can use existing genealogy records
Comprises more than 70 million family trees
Allows you to view public family trees
Comprises a plethora of tutorial blogs and videos for help
Allows you to gift a subscription to your family and friends
Available as free Android and iOS apps
What We Didn’t Like
The family trees look basic; they aren’t aesthetically appealing
A credit card is required for a free trial
FindMyPast
FindMyPast allows you to build your family tree for free. It’s simple to get started and does not require a lot of information from your end. Even with basic information such as your parents and grandparents, you can start building your family tree and extend it as you gain access to more genealogical information.
FindMyPast’s “hints” feature provides you with accurate search results and helps you find your family members without any hassles.
What We Liked
Safe and secure
Easy to use
User-friendly interface
Allows you to search over 830 million records for free
Provides you with pay-as-you-go pricing options
Allows you to add up to 5,000 members in your family tree
Allows you to build a profile for each family member
Reliable customer support
What We Didn’t Like
Expensive premium plan
MyHeritage
MyHeritage is one of the most sought-after genealogy websites with over 80 million active users. It comprises an intuitive user interface and compelling features, such as a downloadable family tree builder; however, it is a paid feature.
This free online family tree builder provides you with a wide variety of family tree search capabilities, tutorials on how to make a family tree, and a lot more.
What We Liked
Free basic family tree builder plan
Affordable premium plans
Excellent collaboration tools to communicate with other members
Supports more than 40 languages
Available as free Android and iOS apps
Reliable customer service
What We Didn’t Like
The genealogy database is smaller than Ancestry and FindMyPast
Before You Can Even Consider an Online Genealogy Site, You Need a Reliable Internet Connection
Whether you are building a family tree with all the genealogical information in your hand or trying to find family members to complete your tree, you need a reliable internet connection to ensure you don’t lose data or records.
Internet connectivity issues are a thing of the past thanks to gotW3. We offer devices for home use and on the go, with a choice of data plans. With gotW3, you can build your family tree for hours together, without worrying about connectivity issues. Plus, no contracts, no credit checks!
Click here to learn more about gotW3.
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