Explore the following trusted genealogy websites organized by category to help you find records, tools, and research resources.
Major Genealogy Websites
FamilySearch (LDS)
A free genealogy website provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering access to billions of historical records, indexes, and a collaborative family tree. IGS is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, providing access to additional records while onsite.
Ancestry
A subscription-based genealogy website offering billions of historical records, including census data, military records, immigration records, and family trees. When visiting the IGS library, patrons using our computers can access Ancestry Library Edition for research use.
Cyndi's List
A comprehensive directory of genealogy websites organized by topic, location, and record type. With hundreds of thousands of categorized links, it is an excellent starting point for discovering online research resources.
RootsWeb
One of the earliest online genealogy communities, offering mailing lists, message boards, and user-submitted data. While no longer actively updated, it remains a valuable archive of discussions and shared research.
Ancestor Hunt, The
A free online resource that helps researchers locate historical records, especially newspapers, obituaries, and specialized collections. The site includes curated links and quick reference guides to assist in finding genealogical materials.
U.S. Federal Records & National Resources
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress offers access to millions of digitized items, including photographs, maps, newspapers, manuscripts, and historical documents through its online collections. A valuable resource for historical context and primary sources.
Ellis Island Records
A free database of passenger arrival records for immigrants entering the United States through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1924. Includes ship manifests and tools for exploring immigrant journeys.
GLO Records (General Land Office)
A searchable database of federal land records, including land patents and survey plats for public land states. This resource helps identify when and where ancestors acquired land from the federal government.
Korean War Project
A comprehensive online resource documenting the Korean War (1950–1953), including casualty lists, unit histories, maps, and service information. Useful for researching military service and historical context.
National Archives (NARA)
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) preserves and provides access to U.S. federal government records, including military service files, census records, immigration documents, and more. It is a key resource for researching American ancestors.
U.S. States & Regional Resources
Death Indexes (All States)
A collection of searchable death index resources organized by state and website, providing links to databases that can help locate death information and related records.
Pennsylvania State Archives
Offers digital collections of military records, land records, and historical documents, including Revolutionary War and World War I materials useful for genealogical research.
Missouri Birth & Death Records Database (Pre-1910)
A searchable database of early Missouri birth and death records, offering valuable information for researching families in the state before statewide registration.
US GenWeb Project (All States)
A nationwide, volunteer-driven project providing free genealogy resources organized by state and county. Includes transcriptions, records, and local research information contributed by volunteers across the United States.
New York City Historical Vital Records Project
Provides free access to digitized birth, marriage, and death records from New York City, an essential resource for researching ancestors who lived in the area.
Illinois State Archives
Provides access to a variety of online databases, including marriage records, death indexes, military records, and public land sales, along with additional county-level resources.
Iowa State and Local Resources
State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries
Dedicated to preserving Iowa’s cemeteries and burial records, this organization provides information on cemetery locations, preservation efforts, and historical burial sites across the state.
African American Museum of Iowa
A statewide museum focused on preserving and sharing the history and culture of African Americans in Iowa through exhibits, educational programs, and research resources.
Iowa GenWeb
Part of the USGenWeb Project, Iowa GenWeb provides county-level genealogy resources, including transcriptions, records, and links to local research materials across the state.
Italian Cultural Center of Iowa
Preserves and celebrates the heritage and contributions of Italian Americans in Iowa through exhibits, events, and cultural programming.
Iowa Welsh Society
Promotes the history, culture, and heritage of Welsh Americans in Iowa, including efforts to preserve oral histories and historical records of Welsh communities in the state.
County Research Guides (Iowa - FamilySearch Wiki)
Provides detailed county-by-county research guidance, including record availability, historical background, and links to key resources for Iowa genealogy research.
State Historical Society of Iowa
Offers access to extensive collections of Iowa history, including manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, and government records, along with research centers and historic sites across the state.
Libraries, Catalogs, & Research Centers
WorldCat
A global library catalog that allows you to search for books, manuscripts, and other materials held in libraries around the world. Especially useful for locating genealogy and local history resources near you.
Mid-Continent Public Library (Midwest Genealogy Center)
One of the largest free genealogy research centers in the United States, offering extensive on-site collections, databases, and research tools covering U.S. and international records.
Library of Virginia
Provides access to a wide range of digital collections, including vital records, land patents, military records, and historical documents related to Virginia and its residents.
International & Ethnic Research
Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America
An association committed to supporting members researching their ancestors from Ostfriesland and the events and culture that shaped their lives.
Traditional German Clothing and German Heritage
Provides insight into German cultural traditions, including historical clothing, along with additional tools and information that can help researchers better understand and trace German ancestry.
Family Records Search resources in Europe
A curated collection of genealogy resources for multiple European countries, providing guidance and links to help researchers locate records based on their ancestor’s country of origin.
Research Tools, Education, & Reference
Dictionary of Genealogy and Archaic Terms
Provides definitions for common genealogy terms, historical language, and legal terminology often found in older records, helping researchers better understand original documents.
Lisa Louise Cooke's Genealogy Gems
Offers free videos, articles, and educational content focused on genealogy research techniques, tools, and best practices for both beginners and experienced researchers.
25 Best Genealogy Websites
A curated list highlighting some of the most popular and useful genealogy websites, serving as a helpful overview for those getting started or exploring new resources.