Genealogy on a Budget: Spend Money After You Have a Question

Refreshed from an original 2020 post. Service availability and access rules can change, so verify current terms before relying on a particular database or library benefit.

Genealogy can become expensive when every interesting lead turns into another subscription. A better approach is to decide what you are trying to find before deciding what to buy.

Use free resources first

Libraries, archives, government collections, FamilySearch, local societies, digitized collections, and other free resources can answer many questions. What is available varies by location and collection.

Plan paid research sessions

If a subscription or trial provides access to records you need, make a list before you begin. Search deliberately, download permitted copies, capture source details, and keep track of what remains unresolved.

Ask people who know the locality

Genealogical societies and local research groups can point you toward record sets, repositories, naming patterns, cemetery information, newspapers, and local history that broad searches miss.

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