Blog #35

Researching family history has never been easier than it is today. What once required travelling to distant archives or spending hours scrolling through microfilm can now often be done from the comfort of home.

Millions of historical records – birth certificates, immigration documents, census records, military files, and even old newspapers – have been digitised and made searchable online.

1. Ancestry

Ancestry is one of the largest and most well-known genealogy platforms in the world. With billions of historical records from dozens of countries, it is often the first place researchers start.

The platform allows users to build detailed family trees and attach documents, photographs, and stories to each ancestor. Its powerful search engine makes it easier to locate records such as census data, birth and death registrations, immigration documents, and military records.

One of Ancestry’s most helpful features is its automated hints system. As you build your family tree, the site searches its database and suggests possible record matches for your ancestors. This can quickly lead you to new discoveries you might not have found on your own.

Ancestry also offers DNA testing, which can help connect you with living relatives and identify ancestral regions.

2. FamilySearch

FamilySearch is an extraordinary resource because it is completely free. Operated by the FamilySearch International, it provides access to billions of digitised records from around the world.

Unlike some genealogy sites that charge subscription fees, FamilySearch offers open access to many vital records, census collections, church records, and historical documents. It also hosts a collaborative global family tree where users can work together to expand shared ancestral lines.

Another powerful feature is its vast digital library of microfilmed records, many of which were previously only accessible by visiting archives in person.

For beginners or those researching on a budget, FamilySearch is an invaluable starting point.

3. MyHeritage

MyHeritage is particularly popular with international researchers and families with European ancestry. The platform hosts billions of historical records and offers a range of innovative digital tools.

One of its standout features is its photo technology, which can restore, colourise, and even animate old family photographs. Seeing an ancestor’s black-and-white portrait brought to life in colour can create a powerful emotional connection to the past.

MyHeritage also provides DNA testing and automated record matching, helping users discover relatives and historical documents linked to their family tree.

The site supports multiple languages, making it easier for users worldwide to explore their heritage.

4. Findmypast

Findmypast is particularly valuable for those researching ancestry in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The platform hosts extensive collections of British census records, parish registers, military records, and migration documents.

One of its most distinctive features is access to millions of British and Irish parish records, which often contain baptisms, marriages, and burials recorded long before civil registration systems began.

Findmypast also offers an impressive archive of historical newspapers, allowing researchers to search for articles, announcements, and local stories that may mention their ancestors.

For anyone tracing roots in England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales, this website can be an essential research tool.

5. Geni

Geni takes a collaborative approach to genealogy by working toward a single shared global family tree. Instead of each person building separate trees, users contribute to one interconnected network of ancestors.

This approach can reveal connections between distant relatives and historical figures. In some cases, individuals discover that their family line links to well-known historical personalities or royal lineages.

The platform allows researchers to collaborate, merge duplicate profiles, and expand family branches together.

While collaboration requires careful verification of sources, the shared tree concept can lead to fascinating discoveries.

6. Newspapers.com

Sometimes the most vivid details of our ancestors’ lives are found not in official records but in newspapers. Newspapers.com provides access to millions of digitised newspaper pages spanning centuries.

These papers contain obituaries, marriage announcements, court reports, local stories, and community events. You might find references to an ancestor’s business, sporting achievements, or even dramatic incidents that never appeared in formal records.

For New Zealand newspapers - check out Papers Past to see what you can find.

Reading the newspapers of your ancestors’ era can bring their world to life in remarkable ways.

7. National Archives (Various Countries)

Many countries maintain official archives containing government records that can be invaluable for genealogical research. National archives often hold military service files, immigration records, land records, wills, and court documents.

For example, the Archives New Zealand preserves a wide range of records relating to New Zealand’s history, including immigration files and military service documents. Similar institutions exist in many countries and increasingly provide digital access to their collections.

Exploring national archives can reveal rich details about how your ancestors lived, worked, travelled, and interacted with government systems.