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    Family Tree Apps

    Find your roots. Surprise the grandkids.

    Ancestry.com

    $25-45/mo

    Biggest. Most records. Best DNA test. Hints from millions of others' trees.

    Best overall.

    FamilySearch

    FREE

    Run by Church of LDS. Massive free record collection. Surprisingly powerful.

    Best free.

    MyHeritage

    $15-30/mo

    Strong European records. Famous for "deep nostalgia" photo animation.

    Best European roots.

    23andMe

    $99-199 one-time

    DNA test only. Health reports + ancestry. Optional sharing with relatives.

    Best DNA-only.

    Findmypast

    $15-25/mo

    Best for British, Irish, Australian records.

    Best UK/Irish.

    Free first — FamilySearch

    1. Go to familysearch.org. Free, forever. No credit card.
    2. Enter your name + parents' names + grandparents' names.
    3. Site searches its 6 billion records. Auto-suggests matches.
    4. Build out tree generation by generation.
    5. Many records (US census, birth certificates, ship manifests) free here.
    6. Use this BEFORE paying for Ancestry — see how far you get free.

    When to add Ancestry.com

    • FamilySearch hits dead ends.
    • You want DNA matches with distant relatives.
    • Your family came from countries with limited free records.
    • You want millions of others' trees to compare to.
    • 14-day free trial often available — try free first.

    DNA tests — privacy notes

    • Once you submit DNA, you can't take it back. Read privacy carefully.
    • 23andMe filed for bankruptcy 2025 — data may move to new owner. Some users deleted data.
    • Ancestry DNA stable. Best DNA matching pool.
    • Police can request DNA database matches with court order.
    • Insurance can't use it (federal GINA law) but life insurance CAN.
    • Result might find unexpected siblings/parents — be ready emotionally.

    Local resources

    • Local library — free Ancestry access if you're inside the building (most US libraries).
    • FamilySearch Centers — 5,000+ worldwide. Volunteers help free.
    • Local genealogy society — free or low-cost lookup help.
    • National Archives — free military, immigration, naturalization records.

    Ask oldest relatives FIRST

    Before paying any service — call your oldest aunts, uncles, parents. Record (with permission) their stories about your great-grandparents. Names, towns, occupations. That's gold no website has. Once they're gone, that knowledge goes with them. This is the single most important step.

    Genealogy & Family Tree Apps | TekSure