Q: What is a “collateral descendant" and how do you research them?

Genealogy Question of the Day

Q: "I am a total novice as far as family trees go, and I need to know exactly what a “collateral descendant” is."

Get Started with DNA: From Testing to Results

If you’ve ever wondered what your DNA says about your family history, this course is for you! You’ll discover just how you can solve family mysteries with the help of a DNA test. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to make strategic decisions on what tests you and your relatives should take so you can identify and track down your ancestors’ records.

5 Top Genealogy Research Destinations

Add one or more of America's genealogy research and history destinations to your bucket list using our list of great genealogy road trips.

RootsMagic Cheat Sheet

Digitize your research with RootsMagic! Genealogy software programs have long been among the most powerful tools in a genealogist’s arsenal, and RootsMagic (with its robust family tree and citation functions, plus its partnerships with Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org) is one of the most useful. This downloadable cheat sheet will show you how to get started with RootsMagic, giving you a crash course in using the popular software program.

Premium: Ancestry Tips and Tricks for Beginners

To help jump-start your research on the site, here are our best Ancestry.com tips (not all of which even require paying for a subscription). As you work your way through these ideas, you’ll uncover even more Ancestry.com strategies that can help you branch out and document your family tree.

From the Archive: Find German-Speaking Ancestors Outside Germany 

In this episode from our podcast archives, James Beidler offers practical tips for tracking down German-speaking ancestors who lived outside Germany. Plus: learn how to preserve special family treasures and navigate David Rumsey’s Map Collections Project, a priceless genealogical tool.