“Family tree now?” means building or researching your family tree in the present day, using modern tools like DNA tests, online databases, and digital record archives. The short answer is that you can start right now, for free or for a fee, by gathering what your relatives already know, then expanding outward through public records and DNA matches. This article explains the background, the practical steps, the common pitfalls, and the costs involved, so you can decide which path fits your goals.
Background: From Oral History to Online Databases
People have always traced their ancestors, but the methods have changed dramatically. For most of human history, family trees were passed down orally or written in family Bibles, church registers, and legal documents. In the 19th century, genealogy became a popular hobby in Europe and North America, with societies publishing compiled lineages and county histories. The real revolution came in the late 20th century: the internet made indexes of censuses, birth and death records, and immigration lists searchable from home. Then, in the 2000s, direct-to-consumer DNA testing added a biological layer, letting users compare their genetic markers with millions of others. Today, a family tree is usually a hybrid of documentary evidence and DNA matches, stored on a website like Ancestry, MyHeritage, or FamilySearch, or in desktop software like Gramps or Family Tree Maker.
How It Works: Three Steps to Build a Tree
Building a family tree is a systematic process that moves from known to unknown. Most genealogists follow this order:
- Start with yourself and work backward. Write down your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, including dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. Ask older relatives for names, stories, and any documents they may have.
- Search records for each generation. Use online databases to find census records, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, military draft cards, and immigration manifests. Each record should confirm or correct what you have.
- Add sources and cite them. For every fact, note where you found it (e.g., “1900 U.S. Census, Cook County, Illinois, sheet 12B”). This prevents future confusion and helps other researchers trust your tree.
You can do this entirely on paper, but most people use a website or app that automatically links records and suggests hints. The core logic is the same: each person becomes a node, and each connection is a parent-child, spouse, or sibling relationship.
How to Choose a Platform: Free vs. Paid
Your choice of platform depends on your budget, your geographic focus, and whether you want DNA testing. Here is a realistic comparison of the main options.
- FamilySearch (free): Run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it offers a massive collection of indexed records and a collaborative tree. It is excellent for U.S. and many international records, but the tree is shared, so anyone can edit your ancestors.
- Ancestry (paid subscription): The largest commercial database, with billions of records and a huge DNA database. Its tree is private unless you share it. Subscriptions range from about $20 to $50 per month, with discounts for longer terms.
- MyHeritage (freemium): Strong for European records and has a unique photo-enhancement tool. A free account lets you build a tree, but searching records and viewing full documents requires a subscription.
- Findmypast (paid): Best for British and Irish records, including the 1939 England and Wales Register. It also has some Australian and U.S. collections.
- DNA testing companies: AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA each offer a DNA test (usually $79–$199). They give you ethnicity estimates and a list of genetic relatives. You can upload raw DNA data from one company to another for free or a small fee, except Ancestry and 23andMe, which do not accept uploads.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced genealogists hit walls. Here are the most frequent issues and the standard fixes.
- Common names: “John Smith” may have dozens of matches in the same county. Use additional clues like occupation, neighbors, and exact birth dates to distinguish them.
- Missing records: Fires, floods, and war destroyed many records. For example, the 1890 U.S. Census was mostly destroyed by fire. In such cases, look for substitute records like tax lists, church registers, or city directories.
- Name changes and spelling variations: Immigrants often changed their names upon arrival—e.g., “Müller” became “Miller.” Search with wildcards (e.g., “M*ller”) and try alternate spellings.
- Incorrect family trees online: Many trees on Ancestry and other sites contain unsourced errors. Never copy a fact without checking the original record.
- DNA matches with no tree: Some matches have no family tree or a very small one. To use them, you may need to contact the match or build a “mirror tree” using their shared matches.
Costs: What You Really Need to Spend
You can build a basic tree for free, but comprehensive research usually costs money. Here is a breakdown of typical expenses.
- Free resources: FamilySearch, the U.S. National Archives, many state archives, and the Internet Archive offer free access to records. Public libraries often have free access to Ancestry Library Edition.
- Subscription services: A single subscription to Ancestry or MyHeritage costs roughly $20–$50 per month, but annual plans reduce the monthly cost. Many people subscribe for a few months, do a big research push, then cancel.
- DNA tests: A single autosomal test (which covers both sides of your family) costs $79–$199. Y-DNA and mtDNA tests are more expensive and less common.
- Record copies: Official certificates from vital records offices can cost $10–$30 each. Some are free if you order them through a local archive.
- Professional genealogists: Hiring a professional can cost $50–$150 per hour, but they can break through difficult brick walls. You can find vetted researchers through the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Safety and Privacy: What to Watch Out For
Genealogy involves sensitive personal data, so you should be careful about what you share and with whom. Here are the essential safety points.
- Living people: Most genealogy websites automatically hide living people from public view, but you should still avoid posting birth dates or addresses of living relatives without their consent.
- DNA privacy: When you take a DNA test, you are sharing your genetic data with a company. Read its privacy policy to see if it sells data or shares it with law enforcement. You can usually opt out of matching and law-enforcement matching.
- Scams: Be wary of emails or calls claiming to be “genealogy services” that ask for money to reveal a secret inheritance. Legitimate research never requires payment to release public records.
- Data security: Use a strong, unique password for your genealogy account. If you upload GEDCOM files (a standard family tree format), remove notes about living people before sharing.
Alternatives: If Online Trees Aren’t for You
Not everyone wants to use a commercial website. Here are other ways to research your family history.
- Local archives and libraries: Many towns have historical societies with unpublished genealogies, old newspapers, and church records that are not online.
- Oral history interviews: Recording your oldest relatives is often the most valuable step. Ask open-ended questions about their parents, grandparents, and childhood.
- DNA testing without a tree: Some people take a DNA test just for ethnicity estimates or to find close relatives, without building a full tree.
- Desktop software: Programs like Gramps (free) or RootsMagic (paid) let you store your research offline. You can still search online records, but your tree remains on your computer.
- Professional research: If you have a specific problem (e.g., finding an ancestor’s birthplace in Europe), a professional can save you months of trial and error.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start my family tree with no information? Begin with yourself and your immediate family. Write down your parents’ and grandparents’ full names, birth dates, and birthplaces. Then ask older relatives for anything they remember. Even one name and a location is enough to start searching census records.
Is AncestryDNA worth it for genealogy? Yes, if you want to find biological relatives and break through brick walls. AncestryDNA has the largest database, so you’ll get more matches than with other companies. However, you can upload your raw DNA from another company to MyHeritage or FamilyTreeDNA for free, which gives you additional matches without buying another test.
Can I build a family tree for free? Yes, you can. FamilySearch offers free access to billions of records and a free tree. Many public libraries also provide free access to Ancestry Library Edition while you’re in the library. You will still need to pay for official certificates if you want them, but you can often find the same information in free indexes.
Why do I have DNA matches I don’t recognize? DNA matches can be distant cousins (4th or 5th) who share a small segment of DNA. Also, due to endogamy (when ancestors intermarried within a small community), you may match people in multiple ways. It’s normal to have many matches you can’t identify without building a tree.
What is a GEDCOM file? GEDCOM is a standard file format for family trees. You can export your tree from one website and import it into another. It contains names, dates, places, and relationships, but not photos or DNA data. It’s useful for backing up your work or switching platforms.
How do I know if a record is accurate? Primary sources (created at the time of the event, like birth certificates) are more reliable than secondary sources (like compiled histories). Always look for the original document, not just an index. If two records disagree, note both and try to find a third to resolve the conflict.
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