Millions of genealogists around the world use RootsWeb to further their research, connect with cousins, and share their family history findings. And no wonder. RootsWeb is the oldest, free genealogy site on the Web and host to the largest collection of free genealogical resources available online. Learn how to make the most of this massive genealogical resource with this overview of RootsWeb's most popular features.

User-Contributed Genealogy Databases

Hundreds of gigabytes of free genealogy data can be found on RootsWeb databases, including more than 8 million records contributed by users. These free user-contributed databases are divided into categories that range from alumni lists and book indexes to mortality schedules and marriage records. You will also find databases organized by locality or ethnic group. These free databases can be searched as a group, or by topic. It's also easy to contribute your own!
www.userdb.rootsweb.com

RootsWeb Mailing Lists

More than 29,000 genealogy-related mailing lists are available at RootsWeb on surnames, counties, states, countries, regions, ethnic groups, and other genealogical topics. This is my favorite feature on the site, because these lists offer access to the research and experience of thousands of genealogists. Archives of past posts can be searched or browsed online. If there isn't a mailing list already available for your surname or topic, then you can also start your own!

lists.rootsweb.com

RootsWeb WorldConnect

The WorldConnect project, one of the most popular features at RootsWeb, is a database of family trees submitted by thousands of family historians. It is the single largest collection of family trees on the Internet, with over 420 million names. Submission is easy - all you have to do is create and upload a GEDCOM file. WorldConnect does the rest, displaying your family tree in a variety of formats: descendency, pedigree, ahnentafel, and register. Useful features of WorldConnect include the ability to keep information on living individuals private, and the Post-em note option, which allows visitors to post corrections, additions or other useful information.
worldconnect.rootsweb.com

Meta Search at RootsWeb

This often overlooked search feature allows you to search multiple RootsWeb databases in one step, including the user-contributed databases, WorldConnect, the Social Security Death Index, vital records, and the Obituary Daily Times. You can only search by first and last name, but it's a good way to get started. If you'd rather search by keywords, then try RootsWeb's powerful site-wide Search Thingy.
resources.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/metasearch

U.S. Town/County Database

This nifty tool allows you to enter an ancestral town or city to learn the modern-day county location.

Social Security Death Index

The most advanced SSDI search on the Net, and generally very current, RootsWeb offers a great free SSDI search feature. Use the Advanced Search feature to narrow your search by location, birth year, death year and other options.
ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com
Kimberly Powell, About.com's Genealogy Guide since 2000, is a professional genealogist and the author of "Everything Family Tree, 2nd Edition." Click here for more information on Kimberly Powell.