Daisy Goddard
Researcher
Mon Apr 28 2025
•
< 5 minutes read
When starting your family history research, there are several websites to choose between. Each offers different records and tools. This outline can help you to decide which is right for you.
Most popular genealogy sites
Findmypast
As British and Irish specialists, we are best placed to help you understand your English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish roots.
We are a UK-based family history website, providing access to billions of British and Irish records and innovative family tree builder tools on a subscription basis. Our archive of digitised old newspapers is the largest of its kind, holding important British and Irish titles stretching back to the 1700s.
ScotlandsPeople
ScotlandsPeople holds a wealth of Scottish church and government records, making it an important resource for researching Scottish genealogy. Its records are only accessible on a pay-per-view basis (rather than with a monthly or annual subscription).
Ancestry
Based in the United States, Ancestry.com may be a good starting point if you have international heritage. Ancestry’s genealogical records span continents, helping you to trace migrations and more with a monthly or 6-monthly subscription.
MyHeritage
MyHeritage is a family history platform based in Israel. As well as for its US genealogy records, MyHeritage is known for its nifty AI tools that can enhance and colourise your old photographs.
Key factors to consider
Location
Different genealogy websites cater to different areas of the globe – it’s essential to bear this in mind when choosing which to go with. Consider using Findmypast if you’ve got English or Irish roots. To discover more about a Scottish ancestor, try a quick search on ScotlandsPeople.
Your research style
Although there’s a lot of common ground, each family history website offers something a little different. MyHeritage’s photo animation offers a quick way of bringing your past to life, while the Findmypast app makes it easy to build your tree while on the go.
Consider taking out a free trial to figure out if your chosen website is a good fit.
Cost
The cost of a subscription to a family history website varies from site to site. Consider your budget when weighing up your options. Remember that you may be able to pay-to-view some records, too, if it’s just a select handful that you’d like to access.
Among the best free ancestry sites available are FamilySearch – run in the US by the Church of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) – and in the UK, FreeUKGenealogy.
What’s the best genealogy site for me?
When choosing which site to start your family history journey with, ask yourself the following questions:
- Where are most of my ancestors located?
- What is my budget? Would I prefer a monthly, 6-monthly or annual subscription?
- What tools and features do I need?
Whether your family were globetrotters who migrated across continents or locals embedded in a small community, answering these questions will help you to decide which genealogy site is best for you. Armed with the right records and tools, you can understand your ancestors’ lives in vivid detail.
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