~ Early Web Links ~

Created by Joe Beine, this comprehensive guide compiles hundreds of links to online birth, marriage, and divorce records indexes for every U.S. state, organized alphabetically for easy navigation. Researchers tracing American family history will find it an invaluable starting point, with direct links to resources on Ancestry, FamilySearch, and county-level databases spanning centuries of vital records.

Cousin Russ runs this practical blog dedicated to helping users navigate Family Tree Maker software, covering versions FTM2017 and FTM2019 on both PC and Mac. Posts address real reader questions on topics like census source templates, relationship settings, citations, and undocumented features, making it a handy reference for genealogists using the program.

Genealogy: Beyond the BMD is a research blog where the author digs deep into family history records far beyond basic birth, marriage, and death certificates, covering Scottish poor law registers, WWI/WWII military records, DNA findings, and Canadian and Irish ancestry. Posts follow real brick-wall problems and discoveries, making it a rich resource for anyone researching similar lineages.

Olive Tree Genealogy Blog is a long-running resource maintained alongside the Olive Tree Genealogy website, offering tutorials, obituary transcriptions, genealogy news, book and app reviews, and links to free genealogy records. The blog focuses heavily on Canadian and American ancestry research, with regular posts sharing historical obituaries and tips for tracing family trees.

The Rockwall County Genealogical Society (RCGS) is a Texas-based organization founded in 1982 that meets monthly at the Rockwall County Library to support local genealogy research. The site offers links to genealogy resources, membership information, meeting schedules, and a dedicated section on the history of Rockwall County.

Run by Roberta Estes, DNAeXplained is a deeply detailed genetic genealogy blog covering DNA testing, inheritance patterns, ethnicity calculations, and how to use tools like Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and X-DNA to discover your ancestors. With hundreds of posts, guides on specific ancestral groups like Acadians and Native Americans, and tutorials tied to platforms like FamilyTreeDNA, this is an exceptional resource for anyone serious about DNA-based ancestry research.

The TXGenWeb Project is a volunteer-driven genealogical and historical effort covering all counties in Texas, offering free access to online databases, surname queries, vital records, cemetery listings, and local historical background. Part of the larger USGenWeb network, it serves as a gateway to county-level resources that help researchers trace their Texas ancestors and explore regional history.

MEGenWeb is a free genealogical resource dedicated to Maine family history, serving as a gateway to county-level genealogical sites across the entire state. Part of the larger USGenWeb project, it offers histories, places, and research resources to help visitors trace their Maine ancestors.

LAGenWeb is a volunteer-driven project providing free access to Louisiana genealogy records organized by parish, part of the larger USGenWeb network established in 1996. Visitors can search ancestor databases, explore parish-level sites, browse old maps, and find research tips without paying for access.

The Illinois State Genealogical Society's Prairie Pioneers program certifies descendants of early Illinois settlers, with over 4,000 pioneers recognized since its 1982 founding during the state's Bicentennial celebration. Visitors can learn about the three certificate tiers covering Illinois residency from before statehood through 1880, download application forms, and browse the index of certified pioneers.