① Finding Records — where the records live
These are the big libraries of historical records. If you're just starting, open a free account at FamilySearch and you'll be busy for months before you ever need to pay for anything.
FamilySearchFree
The best place to begin. Billions of records and a free shared family tree, run by the LDS Church. Completely free with a sign-up. familysearch.org
AncestrySubscription
The largest commercial collection — records, tree-building, automatic "hints," and AncestryDNA all in one. The most powerful, if you'll pay for it. ancestry.com
MyHeritageSubscription
Especially strong for European records and for matching with cousins overseas. A good complement to the U.S.-focused sites. myheritage.com
FindAGraveFree
Volunteer-contributed gravestone photos and burial details, often linking family members buried together. Free. findagrave.com
National Archives (NARA)Free
The U.S. government's own records — census, military, immigration, and naturalization. The original source behind much of what the paid sites host. archives.gov
Chronicling AmericaFree
The Library of Congress's free archive of historic newspapers — obituaries, announcements, and local news up to the mid-1900s. chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
Your Local LibraryFree on-site
Many libraries offer free "Ancestry Library Edition" when you visit in person, plus local-history and genealogical-society collections you won't find online.
Ellis Island FoundationFree
Search ship passenger arrivals at the Port of New York (1892–1957) for free. Perfect for immigrant ancestors. libertyellisfoundation.org
② Organizing Your Tree — where you keep it
Once you're finding facts, you need somewhere to store your tree, attach records, and print charts. Two approaches: a program on your own computer (you control the data), or an online tree (convenient and shareable, but the company hosts it). Many people do both.
RootsMagicLow cost
A popular, affordable program for your computer that syncs with both Ancestry and FamilySearch. A common first choice. (Windows & Mac.)
Legacy Family TreeFree version
Feature-rich desktop program with a free "Standard" edition and a paid Deluxe. Strong for reports and to-do tracking. (Windows.)
Family Tree MakerPurchase
A long-established program that syncs with Ancestry. Familiar to many longtime researchers. (Windows & Mac.)
GrampsFree
Free and open-source, with no subscription ever. Very capable, if a little less polished. Runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
FamilySearch Family TreeFree
A free online tree — but it's a single shared tree the whole world edits together. Wonderful for collaboration; just know others can change "your" branches.
Ancestry / MyHeritage TreesOnline
Build your tree in the cloud alongside the records and hints. Easy and shareable — just remember the company holds your data, so keep your own backup.
🔑 One tip that saves years of work: GEDCOM
GEDCOM is the universal file format for family trees. Every program can export a GEDCOM file, and every other program can import one — so you're never locked into a single product, and you can move your whole tree if you switch. Whatever you use, export a GEDCOM now and then and keep a backup copy. Programs come and go; your research shouldn't vanish with them.