Ancestry.com

Building your family tree has never been easier.

With this simple, three-step plan, even beginners can quickly master the basics of family history research.

Step 1: Gather the information you already know about yourself and your family using sources you can find at your fingertips—photo albums, school records, letters, birth certificates, and more.

Step 2: Organize your discoveries in handy worksheets and the easy-to-use Family Tree Maker software.

Step 3: Search for information about your ancestors using tips and tricks practiced by professional genealogists. You’ll learn how to use sources like the U.S. federal censuses and discover great ideas for tapping into a wide range of resources on the Internet, from online family trees to message boards and mailing lists.