My “Can’t Do Without” Genealogy Tools List

Published February 11, 2012 | By admin

Over the years I find myself returning to the same tools and sites to further my genealogy research. Some of them are not easily found and I thought it might be an idea to list them here for you. The two sites I use continually are FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com.

Below is a list of my favorite tools and research aides.

Google Genealogy Searches

Free Genealogy Search Help – Although linked in the Google Genealogy Search link page listed next, this is the one Google search tool I use most often – and therefore I’m listing the direct link here. It creates a series of searches using different groupings of keywords from the input boxes for given names, surnames, birth and death places.
Easy Google Genealogy Searcher (by Ancestor Search)
Several pre-set custom Google searches and Tools. This is especially valuable for those who are not familiar with the codes and conventions for custom searching in Google. Each tool lists valuable tips to get better results below its search window. These searches include:

Google Genealogy Search
Search for Genealogy Surname Website
Google Book Search – I especially love this one. I’ve found some of my most obscure, interesting and valuable information with this.
Google Blog Search
Google Newspaper Search
Google Search Within or Excluding a Genealogy Site
Search for Sites Similar To – Enter the url of a site you’d like to use as an example.
Search for Gedcom Files
Search US Newsgroups for Genealogy Queries
Search for Definitions of Genealogical Words
Google Calculator for Genealogy Uses
Search for Genealogy Images
Search by Location
Google Search for a US Street Map
Google Search by Language and Country
Google Translate Text
Translate a Genealogy Web Page
Google Search by Family Tree

Search Tools

GeneaSearch.com – Your Internet Genealogy Guide – Lists links, newsletters, publications, societies and free e-mail.
Genealogy Search Canada
Genetic Genealogy – Search for and linking to DNA heritage.

Dates / Calculators / Language Tools

Indexes and Lists

Yahoo Genealogy Sites Directory
Internet Archive – Free access to billions of archived websites, as well as access to a variety of books, film, movies, audio and music.
Canadian Genealogical Projects Registry – A central registry for Canadian genealogy research projects.
Canadian Library Index
Gedcom Index

Networking and People Search Tools

Atlases and Maps

Reference Materials

Photos

General

1000 Memories – Genealogical photo sharing site.
Yahoo! Photos – Drag and drop albums which can be set to private. There are no limits in number and size of photos. You can also edit, organize and tag photos.
DeadFred.com
Family Old Photos
Wikimedia Commons Search