Sometimes, no matter how hard you to try to keep costs down, your genealogy research can get expensive. You might have subscriptions to several sites, pricey archival supplies, and a long wishlist of records that cost a fee to request. It all adds up fast.
Fortunately, not every genealogical resource has to cost a fortune. In this guide, we offer several popular Family Tree Magazine downloads that can help streamline your research. The best part? These downloads are completely free.
Register for or sign in to your free FamilyTreeMagazine.com account for easy, one-click access to each free resource.
Starting Your Ancestor Research
Genealogy research may seem like an intimidating task when you’re just getting started or planning a new project. You may struggle to organize documents, locate the right sources, or overcome brick walls.
The downloads below will help you by providing space to record pertinent details to use when looking for your ancestors—and the amazing information your search uncovers.
Free Genealogy Records Checklist Download
If your research is not yielding the information you desire, don’t give up yet; you might just need to try scouring different types of records. This checklist will help you identify records that you might not have considered looking at.
Free Ancestor Research Worksheet Download
Compile your research on an ancestor all in one place with this worksheet, which has space for major life events such as marriages and migrations.
Ancestor Surname Variant Research Chart
Have you come across a tricky surname that seems to change from one record to the next? Use this form to keep track of those subtle variants as you research.
Building and Organizing Your Family Tree
Record the names and places you find in your research—and how different individuals are related to you. These downloads explain how you’re related to various cousins (e.g., “second cousins” or “third cousins once removed”) and offer a clean, easy-to-read family tree template.
Free Relationship Chart Download
Figure out how two people are related using the simple step-by-step instructions in this form.
Free Five Generation Ancestor Chart Download
Use this handy pedigree chart to document five generations of your family—including the key details of birth, death and marriage dates.
Cousin Chart: Free Download to Determine DNA Matches
Determine cousinhood with this colorful, easy-to-read chart. It reveals not only what kind of cousins you are with a relative but also what percentage of DNA matches you share.
Researching Places and Ethnic Heritage
Your research will almost certainly take you to new, unfamiliar places—at least on paper and via the internet, but maybe also on a plane. These downloads will help you understand how to find ancestors in an unfamiliar state, province or territory—and interpret foreign-language genealogy terms you might encounter there.
US Statewide Vital Records Reference Chart Free Download
This reference chart tells you when each state started keeping birth, marriage, and death records.
Canadian Provinces Genealogy Fast Facts Guide Free Download
If you need a refresher on Canadian provinces and when they were formed, this guide can help. It also provides key information about when each province started keeping records.
German Genealogy Terms Reference Charts (+ Free Downloads)
As you pore over German records, you may come across many unfamiliar words that keep you from understanding the records. Keep this reference chart on hand as you explore such records.
Spanish Genealogy Terms Reference Charts (+ Free Downloads)
Researching Spanish-language records as a non-speaker can be daunting. Fortunately, these reference charts can help you decipher these records at a glance
Visiting Cemeteries
As morbid as it may sound, where and when your ancestor was laid to rest can be important genealogical details–as can the headstone laid to memorialize them. Here are some free downloads to guide you in your cemetery research.
Tombstone Iconography Guide Free Download
Did you notice an unusual symbol on your ancestor’s tombstone? This guide will help you understand its meaning—and how it ties in to their life
Free Cemetery Transcription Form Download
Struggling to read the text on a fading tombstone?Record the important information there using this form.
Telling Family Stories
Writing about your family history can be a great way to combine your extensive research with your creative prowess. Whether you are planning to write your family story and aren’t sure where to begin or have already begun brainstorming and writing, these downloads can inspire and guide you through the process.
30 Family History Writing Prompts Free eBook
Whether you’re facing serious writer’s block or just are looking for a new, creative angle, this eBook can help get your pen moving.
Family History Writing Project Worksheet Free Download
Before start writing, organize your thoughts out and plan your piece with this worksheet. It invites you to think deeply about what you’re writing, how you want to tell you story, and what you wish to include.
Researching Military Ancestors
Commemorate your ancestors who served their country so bravely. These downloads help you navigate government archives to find service records and understand the terms you find in them
Military Acronyms Reference Chart Free Download
If you stumble upon a military acronym that trips you up, don’t despair. This guide can help you decode those abbreviations with ease.
How to Find Military Records Free eBook
Locate and understand records of your military ancestor with this overview of service records, draft registrations and more.
Studying Censuses
Census records can reveal a lot of valuable information about your ancestors, including where they lived and what they did for a living. These downloads list the date each census was taken and help you identify which censuses to look for your ancestors in.
Official US Census Dates Free Download
Use this convenient download to determine the date each US census was officially taken, important for calculating ages, tracking migrations and evaluating deaths that occurred around each count.
Census Checklist Form for Genealogy
Keep track of which census records your ancestor appears in.
