Tracing Family Roots

Learn how to begin researching your family history using public records.

Census Records vs. Vital Records: Which Should You Start With?
Featured · Tracing Family Roots

Census Records vs. Vital Records: Which Should You Start With?

Both census and vital records are genealogy staples — but they serve different purposes. Learn which to consult first based on your research goals.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · Jun 3, 2024
Conflicting Names, Dates, and Spellings: Navigating Inconsistency in Old Records
Tracing Family Roots

Conflicting Names, Dates, and Spellings: Navigating Inconsistency in Old Records

Name variations, transcription errors, and calendar changes are common in historical records. Learn how to work around them without losing…

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 5 min · Jan 19, 2024
Digitised Archives Around the World: What's Free and What's Behind a Paywall
Tracing Family Roots

Digitised Archives Around the World: What's Free and What's Behind a Paywall

A practical overview of major genealogy archives — what records they hold, which are freely accessible, and what access typically costs.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · Mar 31, 2024
Documenting as You Go: Keeping Your Genealogy Research Organised and Credible
Tracing Family Roots

Documenting as You Go: Keeping Your Genealogy Research Organised and Credible

Messy research leads to duplicated effort and unverifiable conclusions. These practices help you keep sources cited, findings linked, and your tree trustworthy.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · Nov 28, 2024
Eight Types of Records That Genealogists Overlook — and Why They're Worth Checking
Tracing Family Roots

Eight Types of Records That Genealogists Overlook — and Why They're Worth Checking

Beyond births and marriages, historical records like land deeds, military drafts, and church registers can fill critical gaps in a family tree.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 7 min · Sep 5, 2025
How to Build a Three-Generation Family Tree Using Only Free Sources
Tracing Family Roots

How to Build a Three-Generation Family Tree Using Only Free Sources

A step-by-step walkthrough for constructing a three-generation family tree using government archives, library databases, and free public record tools.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 7 min · Jan 26, 2024
Reading Between the Lines: What a Death Certificate Can Tell You About Your Ancestors
Tracing Family Roots

Reading Between the Lines: What a Death Certificate Can Tell You About Your Ancestors

Death certificates often contain more than a date. Learn how to interpret informant details, causes of death, and burial locations for genealogy clues.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 8 min · Jul 8, 2026
Researching Family History Across Borders: A Country-by-Country Record Guide
Tracing Family Roots

Researching Family History Across Borders: A Country-by-Country Record Guide

Record-keeping systems differ widely by country and era. This reference covers what genealogy records exist and where they're held across major regions.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 9 min · Jun 19, 2026
Starting From Scratch: A Roadmap for First-Time Genealogy Researchers
Tracing Family Roots

Starting From Scratch: A Roadmap for First-Time Genealogy Researchers

New to family history research? This guide walks you through every foundational step, from gathering what you know to finding official records.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 9 min · Feb 18, 2026
The Case For and Against DNA Testing as a Genealogy Tool
Tracing Family Roots

The Case For and Against DNA Testing as a Genealogy Tool

DNA results can unlock ancestry blocked by missing records — but they come with privacy trade-offs and interpretive limits. A balanced look at both sides.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · Feb 18, 2026
The Paper Trail You Should Gather Before Touching Any Database
Tracing Family Roots

The Paper Trail You Should Gather Before Touching Any Database

Before logging into any archive, collect these personal and family documents. This checklist helps you research more efficiently and avoid dead ends.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 5 min · Jan 20, 2023
The Public Records That Matter Most in Genealogy Research
Tracing Family Roots

The Public Records That Matter Most in Genealogy Research

Birth, death, marriage, census — learn which public records are most useful for tracing family roots and what information each one contains.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · Sep 1, 2024
Tracing Immigrant Ancestors: Ports, Passenger Lists, and Naturalisation Papers
Tracing Family Roots

Tracing Immigrant Ancestors: Ports, Passenger Lists, and Naturalisation Papers

If your family crossed a border, immigration records may be the bridge to the homeland. Learn what documents exist and how to locate them.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 7 min · Jun 22, 2026
When the Records Run Out: Research Strategies for Pre-1800 Ancestry
Tracing Family Roots

When the Records Run Out: Research Strategies for Pre-1800 Ancestry

Modern databases only go so far. Explore the alternative sources — church registers, probate courts, land grants — that help trace ancestry before civil registration.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 5 min · Mar 19, 2026
Why Family Stories Don't Always Match the Records — and What to Do About It
Tracing Family Roots

Why Family Stories Don't Always Match the Records — and What to Do About It

Oral histories are valuable but imperfect. Understand why discrepancies occur between family lore and documented records, and how to resolve them.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 7 min · Jul 8, 2024
Your Family History Is Already Documented — Here's Where to Find It
Tracing Family Roots

Your Family History Is Already Documented — Here's Where to Find It

Discover the public records, archives, and official sources that already hold the story of your family — and how to access them.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 8 min · Jan 18, 2024