Beyond FamilySearch: Exploring Other Top Genealogy Sites

Beyond FamilySearch: Exploring Other Top Genealogy Sites

While FamilySearch.org offers a vast collection of resources, this guide will show you how to leverage its powerful tools to discover and learn about other leading genealogy websites, all without ever leaving FamilySearch.org.

1. Utilize the FamilySearch Research Wiki as Your Gateway

The FamilySearch Research Wiki is an unparalleled educational resource, often providing overviews, comparisons, and links to external genealogy sites and resources.

• From the FamilySearch.org homepage, click on "Search" in the top navigation bar.
• Select "Research Wiki" from the dropdown menu.

2. Discover Major Genealogy Websites within the Wiki

Once in the Wiki, you can actively search for information about other top sites or general categories of online resources.

• Use the "Search the Wiki" bar located at the top of the Wiki page.
• Type in general terms like "genealogy websites," "online records," "major genealogy sites," or even specific company names like "Ancestry.com" or "MyHeritage" to find articles discussing these platforms.
• Explore the results for articles that compare services, describe available collections, or provide research strategies involving multiple sites.

3. Explore Locality-Specific External Resources via the Wiki

The Wiki is organized geographically, and within each country, state, or county page, you'll often find sections dedicated to online records and external websites pertinent to that area.

• From the Wiki homepage, navigate by clicking on a continent, then a country (e.g., "United States Genealogy"), and then a specific state or county.
• Look for sections or links titled "Online Records," "Websites," "External Links," or similar, which often list specialized archives, societies, and commercial sites relevant to that specific location.

4. Identify External Resources within the FamilySearch Catalog

The FamilySearch Catalog, while primarily detailing FamilySearch's own holdings, can also indicate where records might be found externally or list related online resources.

• From the FamilySearch.org homepage, click on "Search" in the top navigation bar.
• Select "Catalog" from the dropdown menu.
• Perform a search using a Place, Surnames, Titles, or Subjects relevant to your research.
• When you view the details of a specific catalog entry (e.g., a collection of vital records), carefully examine the "Notes" section and any "View Related Collections" or "Film/Digital Notes" links. These areas may contain annotations like "Also available on Ancestry.com" or provide URLs to external websites that host the same or similar records, helping you identify other valuable sites without leaving FamilySearch.

By using the FamilySearch Research Wiki and Catalog effectively, you can expand your knowledge of the broader genealogy landscape and identify other invaluable resources that complement your FamilySearch research.