Lineage
Lineage

Genealogy Resources Directory

Discover the best archives and databases for finding birth, marriage, and death records worldwide. All resources carefully curated to help you build your family tree.

9
Resources
6
Free Access
4
Regions
4
Types
Region:
Type:

FamilySearch.com

GlobalDatabaseFree

Massive free database from the Mormon church with records from around the world. One of the largest genealogy databases available.

What you'll find:

  • Birth, marriage, and death records worldwide
  • Census records dating back centuries
  • Immigration and naturalization documents
  • Military records
  • Church records and parish registers
Visit FamilySearch.com

National Center for Health Statistics

USAGovernmentFree

Official U.S. government source for vital records and state-specific resources.

What you'll find:

  • Birth certificates
  • Death certificates
  • Marriage licenses
  • Divorce records
Visit National Center for Health Statistics

National Archives (NARA)

USAGovernmentFree

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
Visit National Archives (NARA)

His Majesty's Passport Office (GRO)

UKGovernment

Official vital records for England and Wales from 1837 onwards.

What you'll find:

  • Birth certificates (from 1837)
  • Marriage certificates (from 1837)
  • Death certificates (from 1837)
  • Adoption records
Visit His Majesty's Passport Office (GRO)

ScotlandsPeople

UKGovernment

Official government source for Scottish genealogical data with incredibly detailed records.

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
Visit ScotlandsPeople

Catholic Archives

UKChurchFree

Access to Catholic church records across the UK.

What you'll find:

  • Baptism records
  • Marriage records
  • Burial records
  • Confirmation records
Visit Catholic Archives

Northern Ireland Archives (GRONI)

UKGovernment

Vital records for Northern Ireland from the mid-1800s.

What you'll find:

  • Birth records (from 1864)
  • Marriage records (from 1845)
  • Death records (from 1864)
Visit Northern Ireland Archives (GRONI)

OpenList.wiki

Ex-SovietArchiveFree

Records of people repressed by the Soviet regime - crucial for understanding family impact.

What you'll find:

  • Records of political prisoners
  • Deportation records
  • Execution records
  • Rehabilitation documents
Visit OpenList.wiki

EAIS Archyvai (Lithuania)

Ex-SovietChurchFree

High-resolution photo scans of all available Lithuanian church records. No search function, but organized by location.

What you'll find:

  • Baptism records
  • Marriage records
  • Death and burial records
  • Confirmation records
  • Organized by geographical location
Visit EAIS Archyvai (Lithuania)

Tips for Successful Research

Start with What You Know

Begin with yourself and work backwards. Document full names, dates, places, and occupations. This foundation makes searching archives much more effective.

Interview Family Members

Talk to your oldest living relatives. They hold invaluable information about family stories, migration patterns, and name changes that isn't written down anywhere.

Use Multiple Sources

Cross-reference information from different archives. Birth records, census data, and church records should align. If they don't, dig deeper to find the truth.

Document Your Sources

Always track where you found each piece of information. This helps verify accuracy, avoid duplicating research, and build a credible family history.

Organize Your Research with Lineage

Found your ancestors? Now bring them to life with beautiful, interactive family trees.