Family tree search is the process of using genealogical records, DNA testing, and online databases to identify your ancestors and build a visual chart of your family’s history. You can start by gathering what you already know, then work backward through birth, marriage, and death records, census entries, and other documents to connect each generation.
Why People Search Their Family Tree
People undertake family tree searches for many reasons: to learn about their ethnic origins, to find living relatives, to understand inherited health conditions, or simply to satisfy curiosity about where their family name came from. For some, the search is a way to connect with a cultural heritage that was lost through immigration or adoption. For others, it is a practical matter—proving ancestry for citizenship applications, tribal membership, or hereditary titles. A 2021 survey by the genealogy website Ancestry found that 72% of Americans say knowing their family history is important, yet only a third have actually researched it. The search often becomes a lifelong hobby because every answer tends to reveal new questions.
How Family Tree Search Works
Modern family tree search combines two main approaches: documentary research and genetic genealogy. Documentary research involves locating and interpreting historical records that name individuals and their relationships. Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing to confirm or suggest connections that paper records cannot prove. Most successful searches use both methods together.
The standard process follows these steps:
- Start with yourself and work backward—record your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents with dates and places.
- Interview older relatives before their memories are lost; ask for names, dates, stories, and any documents they may have.
- Search census records, which in many countries list household members every 5 or 10 years.
- Look for vital records: birth, marriage, and death certificates, which often name parents and witnesses.
- Use church registers, immigration and naturalization papers, military records, and land deeds to fill gaps.
- Take a DNA test to confirm relationships and find genetic cousins who may share your ancestors.
- Build your tree in a software program or on a website, attaching sources to every fact.
Choosing a Genealogy Website
The three largest genealogy databases are Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch. Ancestry has over 30 billion records and the largest user-contributed family trees, but its full access requires a paid subscription. MyHeritage offers similar features with a strong international focus, especially for European and Jewish ancestry, and includes photo-enhancement tools. FamilySearch is completely free and run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; it has billions of records, but its search interface is less intuitive and some records are restricted to members of the church. For users with roots in the British Isles, Findmypast specializes in UK and Irish records. For German, Polish, or other continental European research, local archives and regional databases are often more complete than the big commercial sites.
DNA Testing for Family Trees
DNA tests can break through brick walls that paper records cannot. The three main types are autosomal (atDNA), Y-chromosome (Y-DNA), and mitochondrial (mtDNA). Autosomal tests—offered by AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA—examine DNA from both parents and can match you with relatives up to about the fifth or sixth cousin. Y-DNA traces the direct paternal line (father to son) and is only available to males, though a woman can have her father or brother tested. MtDNA traces the direct maternal line (mother to child of either sex). The two major testing companies, AncestryDNA and 23andMe, have the largest databases, but they do not allow you to upload results from other companies. MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA accept free uploads of raw DNA data from the other companies, which can expand your matches without additional cost.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Every family tree researcher hits obstacles. The most frequent problems include:
- Brick walls—an ancestor with no records before a certain date. Solutions: search for alternate spellings, look in neighboring parishes, or check tax and court records.
- Common names—John Smith or Maria Müller makes it hard to distinguish your ancestor from others. Use dates, places, and occupations to narrow down.
- Missing records—fires, floods, and wars destroyed many archives. For example, the 1890 US census was largely destroyed, and many Irish records burned in 1922. In such cases, substitute records like city directories, newspapers, or probate files.
- Incorrect family trees—many online trees contain errors copied from other users. Always verify facts with original records, not just other people’s trees.
- Adoptions and name changes—immigrants often changed their names, and adopted children may have no birth records. DNA matches can sometimes reveal biological parents.
Costs and Free Resources
Family tree search can be done almost entirely for free, but the most convenient tools require payment. FamilySearch, WikiTree, and Family Echo offer free tree hosting and access to many records. The US National Archives and the UK National Archives provide free access to census and military records. Many public libraries subscribe to Ancestry Library Edition, which gives free access to the same records as the paid version when you use the library’s computers. DNA tests cost between $49 and $199 depending on the company and the type of test. Subscription costs for Ancestry or MyHeritage range from about $20 to $50 per month, though annual plans are cheaper. For extensive research, hiring a professional genealogist costs $50 to $150 per hour, but most beginners do not need one.
Privacy and Safety Considerations
Sharing your family tree online has privacy implications. Living people should never be listed in a public tree without their consent, and even deceased relatives may have sensitive information like adoption or illegitimacy that the family prefers to keep private. DNA testing also reveals information about your relatives—if you test, your matches can see that you share DNA, which may expose a family secret such as a non-paternity event or an adoption. Before testing, discuss it with close family members. When using public trees, be aware that anyone can view your research; most websites let you mark living individuals as private. Also, be cautious about sharing your raw DNA data with third-party services, as some have been criticized for unclear data-use policies.
Alternatives to Online Searches
Not all family tree research happens online. Local archives, historical societies, and courthouses often hold records that have never been digitized. Church records are particularly valuable in Europe, where civil registration began only in the 19th century. Cemetery visits can provide birth and death dates from headstones, and obituaries in local newspapers often list surviving relatives. Oral history remains a powerful tool—recording your grandparents’ stories can reveal names and places that no database contains. For those who prefer a guided approach, genealogy courses are offered by universities, adult education centers, and organizations like the National Genealogical Society. Some libraries also host one-on-one genealogy help sessions with volunteers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start my family tree with no information? Begin with yourself and your immediate family. Write down your parents’ full names, birth dates, and birthplaces. Ask your parents and grandparents for their parents’ names and any documents they have. Even a single name and a date can be enough to start searching census and birth records.
Is it worth paying for a genealogy subscription? If you have a specific research question and have exhausted free resources, a subscription can be worth it. Ancestry and MyHeritage have exclusive record collections, but many records are also available free through FamilySearch or local archives. Try the free trial first, and check if your library offers free access.
Can I do a family tree search without DNA testing? Yes, absolutely. DNA testing is a supplement, not a requirement. Millions of people have built extensive trees using only documentary records. DNA is most helpful for breaking brick walls, confirming suspected relationships, or finding biological family after adoption.
Why does my DNA result not match my paper tree? This is more common than people think. It can happen because of non-paternity events (where a child’s biological father is not the man recorded), adoptions, or errors in earlier research. It may also be that your paper tree is correct but you are matching through a different line than you expected. Take time to review your sources before drawing conclusions.
How far back can I trace my family tree? For most people, reliable records go back to the 16th or 17th century in Europe, and to the early 19th century in the United States. A few families can trace back to medieval times, but that requires exceptional documentation. DNA tests typically only confirm relationships within the last few hundred years.
What is the best free family tree website? FamilySearch is the best free option because it offers both tree building and access to billions of records. WikiTree is also free and focuses on collaboration, but its accuracy depends on user contributions. For a simple, private tree, Family Echo is a no-frills tool that works well for beginners.
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