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523 resources · 13 types · Curated for UK & Irish research

Worldwide genealogy resources

The global platforms, DNA tools, software and apps, and the resources for following emigrants to the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond.

View the directory by nation, or all at once

A resource that covers more than one nation appears under each of them. Each view has its own web address, so you can bookmark or share it.

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All 117 resources

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When the research is done

Turn your research into a framed six-generation circular chart

Every chart is hand-set from your own tree and printed on archival paper at 16 inches, with a choice of 72 heritage designs. Available as a complete or an incomplete six-generation lineage, single or couple: the ancestors you have found are drawn, and any you have not found yet are left as open space.

Prefer a spreadsheet? Subscribers to The Genealogy Times, our monthly newsletter, can download the whole directory as an Excel file. Subscribe and download it.

Resources

Records & family tree sites 9

  • 23andMe

    Consumer DNA testing with ancestry composition and DNA relative matching.

    Records & trees platform Global Paid
    23andme.org/en-gb
  • Ancestry

    Largest commercial genealogy site: 70bn+ records from 80+ countries, 100m+ family trees, AncestryDNA, hints and Pro Tools. UK site at ancestry.co.uk.

    Records & trees platform Global / UK Subscription
    ancestry.com
  • FamilySearch

    Free service of the LDS Church: 20bn+ records from 170 countries, single collaborative world tree, Full-Text Search (AI transcription), catalogue and research wiki.

    Records & trees platform Global Free
    familysearch.org/en/united-kingdom
  • FamilyTreeDNA

    DNA testing company offering autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA tests and surname/haplogroup projects.

    Records & trees platform Global Paid
    familytreedna.com
  • Geneanet

    Large community tree site (owned by Ancestry) with strong French and continental European coverage; free basic access.

    Records & trees platform Europe / Global Freemium
    en.geneanet.org
  • Geni

    Collaborative World Family Tree (MyHeritage-owned) with 200m+ connected profiles.

    Records & trees platform Global Freemium
    geni.com
  • LivingDNA

    UK-based DNA testing with detailed British and Irish regional ancestry breakdown.

    Records & trees platform UK / Global Paid
    livingdna.com/uk
  • MyHeritage

    Records, trees, DNA testing and photo tools (colourisation, Deep Nostalgia). Strong for European records; OldNews newspaper archive.

    Records & trees platform Global Subscription
    myheritage.com
  • WikiTree

    Free single collaborative world tree with strong sourcing standards and DNA confirmation features.

    Records & trees platform Global Free
    wikitree.com

Free records & indexes 3

  • BillionGraves

    GPS-tagged gravestone photos and transcriptions collected via smartphone app.

    Free UK records Global Freemium
    billiongraves.com
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission

    Records of 1.7m Commonwealth war dead from both World Wars with grave locations.

    Free UK records UK / Commonwealth Free
    cwgc.org
  • Find a Grave

    Volunteer-built database of cemetery records and gravestone photos worldwide (Ancestry-owned).

    Free UK records Global Free
    findagrave.com

Archives & record offices 6

  • Archives Portal Europe

    Cross-search of European national and regional archive catalogues.

    National archives Europe Free
    archivesportaleurope.net
  • Library and Archives Canada

    Canadian census, immigration, military and land records.

    National archives Canada Free
    library-archives.canada.ca/eng
  • National Archives of Australia

    Australian immigration, naturalisation and military service records via RecordSearch.

    National archives Australia Free
    naa.gov.au
  • Papers Past (NZ)

    Free digitised New Zealand newspapers and periodicals.

    National archives New Zealand Free
    paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
  • Trove (National Library of Australia)

    Free digitised Australian newspapers, gazettes and photographs.

    National archives Australia Free
    trove.nla.gov.au
  • US National Archives (NARA) Genealogy

    US federal records: census, immigration, naturalisation, military, land.

    National archives USA Free
    archives.gov/research/genealogy

Family history societies 6

Research tools 18

DNA 13

  • Borland Genetics

    Tools for reconstructing DNA of deceased relatives.

    DNA tool Global Freemium
    borlandgenetics.com
  • DNA Painter

    Jonny Perl's chromosome mapping, Shared cM Project tool and What Are The Odds (WATO).

    DNA tool Global Freemium
    dnapainter.com
  • DNAGedcom

    Download and analyse match data; GWorks, Collins' Leeds Method tool.

    DNA tool Global Freemium
    dnagedcom.com
  • GEDmatch

    Upload raw DNA to compare across testing companies; chromosome browser and admixture tools.

    DNA tool Global Freemium
    gedmatch.com
  • Genetic Affairs

    AutoCluster, AutoTree and AutoKinship match-analysis tools.

    DNA tool Global Paid credits
    geneticaffairs.com
  • ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogy)

    Free wiki and Y-haplogroup tree; the reference source for genetic genealogy.

    DNA tool Global Free
    isogg.org
  • Leeds Method (Dana Leeds)

    Colour-clustering method for sorting DNA matches into grandparent lines.

    DNA tool Global Free
    danaleeds.com
  • MyHeritage cM Explainer

    Predict relationships from shared centimorgans and ages.

    DNA tool Global Free
    myheritage.com/cm
  • MyHeritage DNA / Theory of Family Relativity

    Upload from other companies accepted; AutoClusters and cM explainer.

    DNA tool Global Freemium
    myheritage.com/dna
  • Nebula Genomics

    Whole-genome sequencing usable for deep ancestry.

    DNA tool Global Paid
    nebula.org
  • Shared cM Project (Blaine Bettinger)

    Reference data on expected shared DNA by relationship; Blaine Bettinger's blog.

    DNA tool Global Free
    thegeneticgenealogist.com
  • YFull

    Y-DNA and mtDNA NGS analysis and haplotree.

    DNA tool Global Paid
    yfull.com
  • YSEQ

    Low-cost single-SNP and Y-DNA panel testing.

    DNA tool Global Paid
    yseq.net

Software & apps 18

  • Ancestral Quest

    Windows software with strong FamilySearch integration.

    Software (desktop) Global Freemium
    ancquest.com
  • Ancestris

    Free open-source Java genealogy software (GEDCOM-native).

    Online tree builder Global Free
    ancestris.org/index.html
  • Brother's Keeper

    Long-running Windows shareware genealogy program.

    Online tree builder Global Shareware
    bkwin.org
  • Family Tree Builder (MyHeritage desktop)

    Free desktop tree software syncing with MyHeritage.

    Online tree builder Global Free
    myheritage.com/family-tree-builder
  • Family Tree Maker

    Windows/Mac desktop program syncing with Ancestry and FamilySearch.

    Software (desktop) Global Paid
    mackiev.com/ftm
  • FamilyEcho

    Free simple online tree with GEDCOM import/export.

    Online tree builder Global Free
    familyecho.com
  • GedSite / Second Site

    Build a static website from a GEDCOM file.

    Software (desktop) Global Paid
    gedsite.com
  • GenoPro

    Genogram and family tree drawing software.

    Online tree builder Global Paid
    genopro.com
  • Gramps

    Free open-source genealogy program for Windows, Mac and Linux; Gramps Web for browser use.

    Software (desktop) Global Free
    gramps-project.org
  • Gramps Web

    Self-hosted web interface for Gramps.

    Online tree builder Global Free
    grampsweb.org
  • Heredis

    French-developed software for Windows/Mac/mobile.

    Software (desktop) Europe / Global Paid
    home.heredis.com
  • Legacy Family Tree

    Windows software (MyHeritage-owned) with free Standard edition.

    Software (desktop) Global Freemium
    legacyfamilytree.com
  • MacFamilyTree / MobileFamilyTree

    Mac/iOS software with 3D trees and FamilySearch integration.

    Software (desktop) Global Paid
    syniumsoftware.com/macfamilytree
  • Reunion

    Mac and iOS genealogy software.

    Software (desktop) Global Paid
    leisterpro.com
  • RootsMagic

    Windows/Mac software with Ancestry, FamilySearch and MyHeritage sync; free Essentials edition.

    Software (desktop) Global Freemium
    rootsmagic.com
  • Storied

    Newer tree and storytelling platform with newspapers.

    Online tree builder USA / Global Subscription
    storied.com
  • TNG (The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding)

    Self-hosted PHP genealogy website builder.

    Software (desktop) Global Paid
    tngsitebuilding.com
  • webtrees

    Free open-source web-based family tree software you host yourself.

    Software (desktop) Global Free
    webtrees.net

Newspapers, military & migration 8

  • Chronicling America

    Library of Congress free historic US newspapers 1770-1963.

    Newspapers USA Free
    chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
  • Convict Records (Australia)

    Database of 123,000 British convicts transported to Australia.

    Migration UK / Australia Free
    convictrecords.com.au
  • Elephind

    Meta-search across free historic newspaper archives worldwide.

    Newspapers Global Free
    elephind.com
  • Ellis Island / Statue of Liberty Foundation

    Free passenger records for New York arrivals 1820-1957.

    Migration USA Free
    statueofliberty.org/arrival-search
  • Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild

    Volunteer-transcribed passenger lists.

    Migration Global Free
    immigrantships.net
  • Legacies of British Slavery (UCL)

    Database of British slave-owners and compensation claims 1830s.

    Migration UK / Caribbean Free
    ucl.ac.uk/lbs
  • Newspapers.com

    Ancestry's newspaper archive; largest US collection plus UK titles.

    Newspapers USA / Global Subscription
    newspapers.com
  • Slave Voyages

    Trans-Atlantic and intra-American slave trade databases.

    Migration Global Free
    slavevoyages.org

Blogs 17

Podcasts, video & courses 8

  • Ancestry Academy / YouTube

    Ancestry's tutorial videos.

    Podcast / video Global Free
    youtube.com/user/AncestryCom
  • Extreme Genes

    Weekly US radio show and podcast with Scott Fisher. Archive only: no new episodes since March 2024.

    Podcast / video USA Free
    extremegenes.libsyn.com
  • Family History Fanatics

    YouTube channel and blog on DNA and research techniques.

    Podcast / video USA Free
    familyhistoryfanatics.com
  • Genealogy Gems Podcast

    Long-running podcast on research techniques and technology.

    Podcast / video Global Free
    lisalouisecooke.com/podcasts
  • Genealogy TV (Connie Knox)

    Weekly YouTube tutorials for beginners to intermediates.

    Podcast / video USA Free
    youtube.com/c/GenealogyTV
  • Legacy Family Tree Webinars

    2,500+ recorded webinars from leading genealogists; free live, subscription library.

    Podcast / video Global Freemium
    familytreewebinars.com
  • Research Like a Pro

    Methodology-focused podcast by Family Locket.

    Podcast / video USA Free
    familylocket.com/the-research-like-a-pro-genealogy-podcast
  • RootsTech

    World's largest genealogy conference (Salt Lake City / online) with free on-demand sessions.

    Podcast / video Global Free online
    familysearch.org/en/rootstech

Newsletters & magazines 3

  • Family Tree Magazine (US)

    US magazine; publishes the annual '101 Best Genealogy Websites' list and free newsletter.

    Newsletter / magazine USA Subscription (free newsletter)
    familytreemagazine.com
  • Genealogy Today / Lisa Cooke newsletter

    Free Genealogy Gems email newsletter.

    Newsletter / magazine Global Free
    lisalouisecooke.com/newsletter
  • Internet Genealogy Magazine

    Canadian-published magazine on online research techniques.

    Newsletter / magazine Global Subscription
    internet-genealogy.com

Forums & communities 2

Directories & link libraries 6

  • Cyndi's List

    Categorised, cross-referenced index of 300,000+ genealogy links maintained since 1996.

    Directory / link library Global Free
    cyndislist.com
  • Linkpendium

    Directory of 10m+ genealogy links by locality and surname.

    Directory / link library USA / Global Free
    linkpendium.com
  • RootsWeb

    One of the oldest free genealogy communities: message boards, mailing list archives, WorldConnect trees.

    Directory / link library Global Free
    rootsweb.com
  • The Genealogist's Google Toolbox / Lisa Louise Cooke

    Genealogy Gems podcast, YouTube channel and tech-focused how-to resources.

    Directory / link library Global Freemium
    lisalouisecooke.com
  • USGenWeb

    Volunteer state and county genealogy sites for the USA.

    Directory / link library USA Free
    usgenweb.org
  • WorldGenWeb

    Volunteer regional genealogy sites across the world.

    Directory / link library Global Free
    worldgenweb.org

Nothing matches those filters. Clear them or try another nation above.

Common questions: Worldwide

Which worldwide resources matter for British and Irish research?

The big platforms, Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage and Findmypast, hold the emigrant records, passenger lists and overseas censuses. FamilySearch is free. The DNA tools help connect branches that emigrated.

How do I trace an ancestor who emigrated?

Passenger lists, naturalisation papers and the destination country's census and civil records are the usual route. The national archives of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are listed here, and most have free indexes.

Which family tree software should I use?

Any program that exports a GEDCOM file will do. The software listed here ranges from free to paid; what matters is that your tree ends up in a file you own and can export, which is also what we ask for when a chart is ordered.

About this directory

The list was compiled in September 2026 for people researching British and Irish ancestry, which is most of the people who order a chart from us. The regional layer is the point: every county record office, the local birth, marriage and death indexes, the online parish clerk projects and the county societies, which the big general lists leave out.

Cost labels are a rough guide only. Many archives are free to search but charge for copies, and society membership usually unlocks members-only indexes. Check the site itself before relying on a label.

Council archive addresses change often. Links are checked automatically, but if you find one that has moved or a resource we have missed, tell us and we will fix it.

Prefer a spreadsheet? Subscribers to The Genealogy Times, our monthly newsletter, can download the whole directory as an Excel file. Subscribe and download it.

Before you order a chart

A six-generation circular chart has room for 63 ancestors, but it does not need all of them: an incomplete lineage is drawn honestly, with the gaps left open. You choose a design and order first; we ask for your GEDCOM file or our simple spreadsheet afterwards, and nothing is printed until you have approved a proof.

How ordering works

Turn the research into a piece of fine art

Each chart is hand-set from your data, printed on archival paper at 16 inches, with your choice of heritage motifs. Complete or incomplete, single or couple.

Design your chart

Returns & Refunds Policy

Returns Policy Overview

Every product (digital files, unframed prints, or framed prints) available on this site is custom-made to order. To ensure the highest quality and fastest delivery, physical orders are fulfilled by regional print partners (LUMAPRINTS in the US, Artovo in the UK/EU). Because each piece is produced specifically for you upon ordering and data submission, our returns policy is tailored to bespoke manufacturing.

1. Damaged or Defective Items

If your physical order is damaged in transit or contains a manufacturing defect (such as a misprint or structural issue), you are entitled to a free replacement or a full refund.

  • Reporting Timeframe: Please report within 30 days of receiving your item.
  • How to Report: Email contact@markdmillican.co.uk with your order number and photographs of the damaged product and packaging.
  • Resolution: Free replacement expedited at no cost or a full refund to your original payment method.

2. Change of Mind / Buyer's Remorse

Because each design is custom-manufactured exclusively using your unique family data, we do not hold inventory. Therefore, we cannot accept returns or offer refunds for "change of mind" once an order is finalised and approved.

3. Order Cancellations & The Proofing Process

  • Data Pending (Full Refund): Cancel before submitting your GEDCOM or CSV data for a 100% full refund.
  • Proofing Stage (Partial Refund): If you cancel during the proofing stage before final print approval, a £45 processing fee is retained to cover design work, and the rest is refunded.
  • Final Approval (No Refund): Once final proof approval is submitted, printing begins immediately and orders cannot be cancelled or refunded.

4. Lost or Missing Packages

If tracking shows no updates or indicates your package has been delivered but is missing, allow 48 hours and check with neighbours or your local delivery office before contacting us for a replacement claim.