There are many great resources available out there. Below are some that I have access to or have used in the past. I encourage anyone visiting this site to explore these before bringing in a professional genealogist. Some of these are available at most public libraries, others are more difficult to find or require subscriptions or memberships to societies.
Online Resources
These are some of the online resources (both free and subscription based) to which I have access:
In addition, I recommend DNA testing of as many family members as possible (those who are willing, of course). I have tested with or utilized the following DNA related sites and can help guide you through them:
- Ancestry.com (I maintain an All Access Membership which includes international document research)
- Newspapers.com
- Fold3.com
- GenealogyBank.com
- MyHeritage.com
- FamilySearch.org (free to the public)
- DAR.org (Daughters of the American Revolution). I am not a verified descendent (yet) but this site does offer some resources for non-members as well.
- SAR.org (Sons of the American Revolution). Again, I am not yet a verified "Son" but this site offers some resources.
In addition, I recommend DNA testing of as many family members as possible (those who are willing, of course). I have tested with or utilized the following DNA related sites and can help guide you through them:
- AncestryDNA.com (part of Ancestry.com) - Strictly Autosomal DNA (atDNA) testing, great for building trees, finding cousins through DNA matches and more. A great starting point for most budding family genealogists.
- 23andMe.com - focus on health history and genetic pre-disposition and related research. They provide basic haplogroup information from Y-DNA and mtDNA, as well as shared ancestors through autosomal testing.
- GenoGraphic.com (National Geographic Society) - focus on ancient DNA origins, particularly along the paternal and maternal family lines (Y-DNA and mtDNA)
- ftdna.com (FamilyTreeDNA) - They do autosomal testing, as well as Y-DNA and mtDNA testing. FTDNA allows upload of raw DNA data files from the above three sites - the one from GenoGraphic.com can be transferred for free. They provide some document resources, matches to DNA cousins, and a great array of forums for surname matches as well as haplogroup matches.
- gedmatch.com - GedMatch does not do DNA testing but allows free raw DNA data uploads, and provides an array of tools for comparing your chromosomes with other people who upload their results, including cousin matches, ethnic heritage, and more. It is a great resource that is used by most genetic genealogists. And most tools are available for free.
- DNA.LAND - this is a university research project. Like GedMatch, they don't offer DNA tests but do allow free upload of your results for comparison with other users. It offers matches with other users and an ethnicity estimation.
General Genealogy Publications
There are many books out there for genealogists, whether amateur or professional. The list below are all such resources I own personally, and continue to use as great resources.
These two are more geared towards genealogy professionals, but will help you understand the importance of documentation of sources of your information and helping you to understand the need for confirming the information you provide in your family trees. (copying from someone else's tree is generally not acceptable documentation, for example).
- The Source, 3rd Edition, A Guidebook to American Genealogy. Published by Ancestry.com, edited by Loretto Dennis Szucs and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking.
- The Family Tree Problem Solver: Tried and True Tactics for Tracing Elusive Ancestors, by Marsha Hoffman Rising.
- Genetic Genealogy: The Basics and Beyond, by Emily D. Aulicino.
- The Researchers Guide to American Genealogy, 3rd Edition, by Val D. Greenwood.
- The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy, by Kimberly Powell.
- The Family Tree Guidebook to Europe: Your Essential Guide to Trace Your Genealogy in Europe, by Allison Dolan.
- Guide to DNA Testing, by Richard Hill, (basic DNA testing information).
- DNA: Family History Genealogy and Ancestry Research through DNA Testing, 2nd Edition by Martin Arrowsmith, (basic DNA testing information).
These two are more geared towards genealogy professionals, but will help you understand the importance of documentation of sources of your information and helping you to understand the need for confirming the information you provide in your family trees. (copying from someone else's tree is generally not acceptable documentation, for example).
- Mastering Genealogical Proof, by Thomas W. Jones (how to write proof statements describing how you solved an ancestry question, especially in the absence of direct documentation).
- Genealogy Standards, Fiftieth Anniversary Edition, published by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
Specific (family or location) Genealogy Resources
A few resources I have that I have used for my own family research:
- The Early Germans of New Jersey: Their History, Churches and Genealogies, by Theodore F. Chambers.
- Familien in Leimen: 1677-1900, by Kurt Frei (all families of Leimen, Germany recorded during this time period).
My Memberships
This is a list of some of the genealogy societies I am a member of:
- Association of Professional Genealogists
- National Genealogical Society
- New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
- Polish Genealogical Society of America
- Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan
- Detroit Society of Genealogical Research
- New York Public Library
- Brooklyn Public Library
- Apgar Family Association (family specific organization)