Defining “free” isn’t as simple as it sounds, however. Obviously, expensive subscription sites are out, but what about sites that offer a premium service for a fee? Or sites that offer free data but require payment for a paper copy of a record? After some debate among the editors, we decided that a site qualifies as “free” if the primary function or content is free, so that you can go there and do what you intend to do without having to pull out your wallet. We also wanted to honor some lesser-known sites whose hardworking webmasters contribute to the greater genealogical good. Their sites may be free, but we can repay them with a virtual round of applause.
So welcome to the 2010 edition of Family Tree Magazine’s 101 Best Websites. For a change, there’s no need for our usual explanation that a $ symbol means a site requires payment. We’ll give that button on our keyboards a rest this year, as we demonstrate that sometimes the best things in life really are free.
Resources in the Following Categories Are Listed:
+ Best Big Genealogy Sites
+ Best Records Resources
+ Best US Government Sites
+ Best Sites for Eastern US Research
+ Best Sites for Western US Research
+ Best Canadian Resources
+ Best Sites for African-American Roots
+ Best History Sites
+ Best Sites for Immigrant Research
+ Best for Great Britain and Ireland
+ Best Sites for Continental Europe
+ Best High-Tech Tools
+ Best Social Networking Sites
We've done our best to make a special note of the resources of the list that come from Libraries. It's quite a large group.
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