TODAY'S TOP Resources to Search For Family Tree For Free:
The quickest and easiest way to search for family tree for free online is by using the search bar above. Search for your family tree for free across many different records and databases. This free family tree tool searches census records, immigration records, military records, birth marriage and death records as well as many others
The other way to do a free family tree search is by using The National Archives (NARA), which is the nation's recordkeeper. It preserves and makes available the valuable records of the Federal Government.
Since the founding of the nation, most Americans at some time in their lives have come into contact with or have had some involvement with the Federal Government. It is records created through this contact where you may find reference to your ancestors in NARA holdings. As you begin your family research at NARA ask yourself about the person’s relationship to the Federal Government.
Records in the National Archives are arranged by how the agencies created them, and there is no master subject or name index. Your use of historical documents at the National Archives likely will yield better results if you first obtain the following information:
Begin with the Census:
Once you have the name of an ancestor and an idea of which state he or she resided in, you may want to begin by exploring census records. Census records can provide the building blocks of your research, allowing you to both confirm information, and to learn a lot more. From 1790-1840 only the head of household is listed, but beginning with 1850, details are provided for all individuals in households.
The Federal Population Census has been taken every 10 years, beginning in 1790. The National Archives has the census schedules on microfilm available from 1790 to 1930. (Note: Most of the 1890 Census was destroyed in a Department of Commerce fire, though partial records are available for some states.) There is a 72-year restriction on access to population census schedules, which is why 1930 is the latest year currently available. To search the most comprehensive online census database click below.
Search for family tree for free with US census records
Immigration records:
also known as "ship passenger arrival records," may provide genealogists with interesting personal information about their ancestors. In addition to their ship and date of entry, you may learn of other details, such as their nationality, place of birth, age, height, eye and hair color, profession, place of last residence, names and addresses of relatives in the U.S., and amount of money they were carrying with them.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has immigration records for arrivals to the United States from foreign ports between approximately 1820 and 1982. The records are arranged by Port of Arrival. Indexes are available for most of the ports, with the exception of New York between 1847-1896. For an online search click below:
Search for family tree for free with immigration records
The National Archives holds Federal military service records in two repositories:
The National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., for Revolutionary War – 1912 and the National Military Personnel Records Center (NPRC), in St. Louis, Missouri, for WWI – present.
Your research path will depend on aspects such as: what branch of service your ancestor was in, which conflict, what dates, whether Regular Army or a volunteer unit, whether your ancestor was an officer or enlisted personnel, and whether there was a pension application. Click below for the online search or click Military Records for more information about military records.
Search for family tree for free with military records
Naturalization Records:
Naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes an American citizen. These records can provide a researcher with information such as a person's birth date and location, occupation, immigration year, marital status and spouse information, witnesses' names and addresses, and more.
The National Archives in Washington, D.C. holds naturalization records for Federal Courts. Prior to 1906, any municipal, county, state, or Federal court could grant U.S. citizenship, so you may need to contact the relevant State Archives to search in these records as well. For more information on Naturalization Records
Land Records:
The land records that are generally of most interest to genealogists are the land entry case files. These are records that document the transfer of public lands from the U.S. Government to private ownership. There are over ten million such individual land transactions in the custody of the National Archives. These case files cover land entries in all 30 public land states.
For land records in the remaining 20 states that were never part of the original public domain, check the State Archives for that particular state.