Ancestry Searches Tour

Here are step-by-step instructions for using the Active Searches page. This page is the first of eight pages on the tour of Active Searches. Links to the other pages can be found at the bottom of this page.

The Active Searches page is useful for:

New Researchers. It provides an easy way to search the major sites that have family trees.
Experienced Researchers. It allows you to save up to ten ancestors for repeated searching. This helps you check sites every so often to see if any new family trees are available. You can do this type of checking quickly without having to re-enter ancestor information.

Entering an Ancestor

Go to the Active Searches page. If you have already opened that page, return to it.
Choose an ancestor.
Enter as much information about this ancestor as you can. The following items are required: first name, last name, gender, birth year, and accuracy of birth year. If you need to guess on the birth year, you can indicate a range on your guess using the accuracy of the birth year.

As a suggestion, choose an ancestor that is further back than a grandparent. The further back you go, the more likely you are to be searching for a person that someone else has searched before you. The best ancestor to choose is one where you know his or her father's name and spouse's name. More information on selecting an ancestor.

Note that when you use the Active Searches page, you do not need to be concerned about the best way to search. Simply enter everything you know. The best searches will automatically be generated for you.

Click here for the next page in the tour...
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Click here to start searching family trees

Easiest way to search family trees

Use Active Searches. This allows you to search major sites by entering your information just one time. Also, this determines the best type of search for you at a particular site (all sites are not created equal).

Go to Family Tree Searches.

For those just starting out

Are you just starting to research your ancestry? If so, the following site provides an easy set of decision charts to help you get started.

Go to Genealogy Fast Track.

Free advice

Have you started your genealogy search, but need suggestions that will make your search on the Internet more productive?

Go to Genealogy Search Advice.

Record keeping software

Family Tree Maker 2010, the latest version of the world’s best-selling family tree software, gives you an easy way to build and share your family tree — and preserve your family history. It is probably the easiest and most complete resource for keeping track of your research.

Go to Family Tree Maker at Ancestry.com.