Build a family tree
Organize names, dates, relationships, photographs, and stories in one place. Start with relatives and facts you can verify.
Every family has a story
Follow the clues. Find the connections.
Explore the building blocks of family history—from a name in an old document to a growing family tree. Learn how historical records and DNA tools may help you investigate your roots.
Independent informational website. Product features, prices, access, and availability are determined by the provider and may change.
A living family history
Names become stories. Stories become connections.
Learn how to research names, places, and dates
Explore family trees and historical documents
Review privacy choices before sharing personal data
Ways to explore
Small clues can open up new lines of research.
Family history research combines information you already know with records and tools that may help you learn more. Every discovery depends on the available evidence.
Search historical records
Explore records such as census entries, birth and marriage documents, immigration records, newspapers, and military records where available.
Explore DNA connections
DNA testing may offer estimates of ancestral origins and potential genetic-relative matches. Results are estimates and depend on reference data and methodology.
Research with intention
Bring names, records, and family memories together.
Ancestry offers family-history memberships and AncestryDNA products. These can be used separately or together, depending on your goals and the current features available.
- ✓Start with what you know: collect full names, approximate dates, locations, photos, and family stories.
- ✓Evaluate record hints: treat suggested matches as leads and verify them against original documents when possible.
- ✓Compare DNA and records carefully: genetic matches and historical documents can provide different kinds of evidence.
- ✓Review privacy settings: understand how family-tree visibility, DNA matching, and data choices work before participating.
Who is it for?
Make room for curiosity at every stage.
Whether you are just starting out or returning to a long-running project, the right next step depends on what you hope to learn.
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Beginners
Start with familiar names and build a first family tree at your own pace.
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Family historians
Organize source material and investigate historical records in greater depth.
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Story keepers
Preserve photographs, memories, and family stories for future generations.
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DNA explorers
Learn about genetic-relative matching and ancestral-origin estimates.
A thoughtful first step
Three ways to begin your research.
You do not need to solve your entire family history at once. Start with one question and build from the evidence you find.
Write down what you know
Record names, dates, locations, and where each piece of information came from. Mark uncertain details as questions.
Choose a research path
Explore a family tree, search historical records, or learn how DNA testing and matching work.
Compare the evidence
Check records against one another, read source details, and avoid assuming every suggested match is correct.
Frequently asked questions
Before you start searching.
Clear answers to common questions about genealogy research and this independent guide.
Is this the official Ancestry website?
No. Roots & Records is an independent informational and affiliate website. It is not owned, operated, sponsored, or endorsed by Ancestry or its affiliates. The Ancestry name is used only to identify the service discussed.
Can I build a family tree without a membership?
Ancestry's help information says users can create family trees without a membership, while some record access and research tools require a paid membership. Features and access can change, so check the provider's current terms.
What can an AncestryDNA test tell me?
AncestryDNA may provide estimates of ancestral origins and potential DNA matches. Estimates are based on reference data and methods that can change. DNA results do not provide a complete or definitive account of a person's identity or family history.
Do I need both a family-history membership and DNA kit?
Not necessarily. They serve different purposes and may complement one another. Choose based on whether you want to research records and family trees, explore DNA results, or use a combination. Some features may require a membership.
How much do memberships or DNA kits cost?
Prices, promotions, shipping charges, trial terms, and renewal conditions may change. Review the provider's current checkout details and cancellation policy before purchasing.
How should I think about DNA privacy?
Genetic information is sensitive. Before testing, review the provider's current privacy statement, consent choices, DNA matching settings, sample-handling policies, and options for deleting data or results. Consider how sharing could affect biological relatives as well.
Do you earn a commission if I click a link?
We may earn a commission if you follow an affiliate link and complete a qualifying action or purchase. This does not mean Ancestry endorses this website. See the Affiliate Disclosure below.
Can this site help with account or DNA-result questions?
No. Contact the provider through its official support channels for billing, account, kit, DNA-result, privacy, or technical questions. We cannot access provider accounts or process support requests.
Your story is still unfolding
Follow a clue. Preserve a memory. Explore a connection.
Explore current family-history and DNA options, then review the provider's details to decide what fits your research goals.
Transparency & policies
Important information
These policy summaries are starting points only. Make sure they reflect your actual practices and seek legal advice where appropriate.
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Privacy Policy
Information and hosting. This page is designed without forms or analytics scripts. Your hosting provider, CDN, or infrastructure providers may process technical data such as IP address, browser type, and request logs according to their own policies.
Affiliate links. Clicking a promotional link may take you to a third-party website and may involve cookies or attribution technologies managed by the affiliate network or provider. Their privacy policies apply to information collected on their sites.
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Terms of Service
This website provides general informational content only. We aim to make content useful but do not guarantee that it is complete, current, or applicable to every situation. Content may be changed or removed without notice.
Any membership, DNA kit, purchase, refund, account, or service relationship is between you and the relevant third-party provider and is governed by that provider's terms. To the extent permitted by law, this site is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Nothing here excludes rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
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Affiliate Disclosure
This website uses affiliate links and may receive compensation if a visitor clicks through and completes a qualifying action or purchase. Compensation may help support this website and does not necessarily increase the visitor's price. Affiliate relationships do not mean the brand has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this site. Visitors should independently verify product information and terms.
Disclaimer
All content is for general informational purposes and is not legal, medical, genetic-counseling, or other professional advice. Genealogy records can be incomplete or inaccurate; DNA estimates and matches have limitations and may change. Do not make consequential personal or medical decisions based solely on content from this site.
We do not control third-party websites, products, offers, prices, or policies. All trademarks and service marks belong to their respective owners. Their use here is for identification and informational purposes only and does not imply affiliation or endorsement.