Free Genealogy Records Online: Birth, Marriage, and Death
Looking for free genealogy records online? This guide lists trusted archives where you can find birth, marriage, and death information to fill gaps in your family tree.
Resources are grouped by country and region so you can move faster, but it is worth exploring outside your current country because many families migrated across borders.
Archives in the USA 🇺🇸
Luckily, there are several options for finding birth and death records for your family in the USA. Please explore these sources to find your family tree.
FamilySearch.com
FamilySearch.com is an enormous effort and contribution from the Mormon church in the USA. They've managed to collect data from all over the world and there is a high chance that your relatives are in the database already. Give it a try.
What you'll find:
- Birth, marriage, and death records from around the world
- Census records dating back centuries
- Immigration and naturalization documents
- Military records
- Church records and parish registers
Best for: Anyone starting their genealogy journey. The database is massive and completely free to use.
National Center for Health Statistics
The National Center for Health Statistics provides access to vital records and can help you locate state-specific resources.
What you'll find:
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
- Marriage licenses
- Divorce records
Best for: Finding official vital records from the 20th century onwards.
National Archives (NARA)
The National Archives holds federal records including census data, military service records, and immigration documents.
What you'll find:
- Federal census records (1790-1950)
- Military service records
- Passenger lists and immigration records
- Naturalization records
- Land records
Best for: Tracing ancestors who served in the military or immigrated to the United States.
Archives in the UK 🇬🇧
United Kingdom ancestry is well documented and there are plenty of online resources to access your British ancestry records online.
His Majesty's Passport Office
His Majesty's Passport Office (General Register Office) holds vital records for England and Wales.
What you'll find:
- Birth certificates (from 1837)
- Marriage certificates (from 1837)
- Death certificates (from 1837)
- Adoption records
Best for: Official vital records from England and Wales.
Official Scotland Archive
ScotlandsPeople is the official government source for Scottish genealogical data.
What you'll find:
- Old Parish Registers (baptisms, marriages, burials from 1538)
- Statutory registers (births, marriages, deaths from 1855)
- Census records (1841-1921)
- Wills and testaments
- Valuation rolls
Best for: Anyone with Scottish ancestry. The records are incredibly detailed.
Catholic Archives
The Catholic Archives provide access to Catholic church records across the UK.
What you'll find:
- Baptism records
- Marriage records
- Burial records
- Confirmation records
Best for: Families with Catholic heritage in the UK.
Northern Ireland Archives
Northern Ireland Archives (GRONI) provides access to vital records for Northern Ireland.
What you'll find:
- Birth records (from 1864)
- Marriage records (from 1845)
- Death records (from 1864)
Best for: Northern Irish ancestry research.
Ex-Soviet Countries 🇦🇲 🇦🇿 🇧🇾 🇪🇪 🇬🇪 🇰🇿 🇰🇬 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇲🇩 🇷🇺 🇹🇯 🇹🇲 🇺🇦 🇺🇿
Some ex-Soviet countries have done a better job than others in releasing and documenting the ancestry archives. Try your luck and see if you can find your relatives in one of the ex-Soviet family archives. Please try them all - every service listed below has millions of ancestry records.
Records of People Repressed by the Soviet Regime
OpenList.wiki is a crucial resource for understanding the impact of Soviet repression on families.
What you'll find:
- Records of political prisoners
- Deportation records
- Execution records
- Rehabilitation documents
Best for: Families affected by Soviet repression. This is an important historical resource.
Lithuanian Church Records
EAIS Archyvai represents an incredible effort by Lithuania when they published high-resolution photo scans of all church records available.
What you'll find:
- Baptism records
- Marriage records
- Death and burial records
- Confirmation records
Note: It does not have a search function, but luckily the data is sorted by geographical location. If you want to know more about your Lithuanian ancestry, EAIS Archyvai is a great place to start collecting information.
Best for: Lithuanian ancestry research. The scanned documents are incredibly detailed.
FamilySearch.com for Ex-Soviet Countries
Don't forget that FamilySearch.com also has extensive collections from ex-Soviet countries, including:
- Russian Empire records
- Ukrainian church books
- Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth records
- Jewish community records
- German settlement records
Tips for Successful Ancestry Research
Start with What You Know
Begin with yourself and work backwards. Document:
- Full names (including maiden names)
- Birth dates and places
- Marriage dates and places
- Death dates and places
- Occupations
- Addresses
Interview Family Members
Talk to your oldest living relatives. They hold invaluable information that isn't written down anywhere. Ask about:
- Family stories and legends
- Migration patterns
- Name changes
- Religious affiliations
- Occupations and trades
Keep Track of Your Sources
Always document where you found each piece of information. This helps you:
- Verify accuracy
- Avoid duplicating research
- Share sources with other researchers
- Build a credible family history
Be Prepared for Surprises
Genealogy research often uncovers unexpected information:
- Name variations and spelling changes
- Undocumented family members
- Migration patterns you didn't expect
- Connections to historical events
Use Multiple Sources
Cross-reference information from different archives. Birth records, census data, and church records should all align. If they don't, you may need to dig deeper.
Bringing It All Together with Lineage
Once you've gathered information from these archives, you need a place to organize and visualize it all. That's where Lineage comes in.
With Lineage, you can:
- Import data from GEDCOM files or spreadsheets
- Organize all your research in one place
- Create beautiful, interactive family trees
- Collaborate with family members
- Add photos, stories, and historical context
- Export your data anytime
The archives listed above are treasure troves of information, but they're just the starting point. The real magic happens when you piece it all together into a coherent family story.
Summary
Finding your family's records online has never been easier. Whether your ancestors came from the United States, United Kingdom, ex-Soviet countries, or anywhere else, there are incredible resources available to help you uncover your family history.
Key takeaways:
- Start with FamilySearch.com - it's free and has worldwide coverage
- Use official government archives for verified vital records
- Don't limit yourself to one country - families moved around more than you think
- Document your sources as you go
- Use a tool like Lineage to organize everything you find
Remember: every family has a story worth preserving. These archives are the keys to unlocking yours.
FAQ: Finding Free Genealogy Records
What is the best free genealogy site to start with?
FamilySearch is usually the best starting point because it combines global coverage with a free account and strong indexing.
Are birth, marriage, and death records always free online?
Not always. Many indexes are free, but certified copies and some newer records may require payment or eligibility verification.
How do I verify that a record belongs to my ancestor?
Cross-check names with dates, places, relatives, and occupations across multiple sources before adding a fact to your tree.
Related Guides
- How to build your first family tree online
- What GEDCOM files do in genealogy workflows
- 75 family history interview prompts for elders
- Step-by-step Slavic ancestry research guide
Ready to organize your ancestry research? Start building your family tree with Lineage today. Import your findings, collaborate with relatives, and create a lasting legacy for future generations.