I’m a big fan of ancestry.com!  It’s no surprise it’s the leading genealogy research website in the world. I’ve been a “world explorer” member of ancestry.com for a little shy of 10 years now.  Over the last five years, Ancestry has added exciting new features that I’m going to talk about today.

First and foremost, Ancestry.com has amazing customer service.  They actually have a toll free number (1-800-262-3787) where live people will answer the phone and verbally talk to you!  It’s such a wonderful breath of fresh air. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve called with a question over my family tree or how to use a new app, and they have always been so helpful.  In this day and age, I really appreciate a live voice.

Secondly, Ancestry.com is always improving their census records and databases regularly.  This includes updates on ancestry DNA matches.  They recently added the new fold 3 military records, but that is not for free.  Ancestry.com members can purchase a membership to fold3 for 50% off like the newspapers.com membership.

Thirdly, Ancestry.com has mobile apps you can download on your smartphone and iPads.  This makes your family tree portable and so nice if you are visiting a family member and want to share your family photos and new discoveries with them.  I can’t tell you how many more hours I’ve spent on my iPad since downloading the ancestry.com app.  Best part is it’s free.

The AncestryDNA database is growing every day, and with every new sample submitted, increases your chances of a more accurate picture into your genetic DNA if you’ve already provided a saliva sample.  Ancestry makes it affordable, and regularly offers discounted prices on DNA kits around Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.  You can easily acquire a kit for less than $80!  This is a small price to pay for someone who is adopted or just curious to take a peak into your genetics from 4-10 generations ago.  I love the easy option of being able to contact a cousin or family member who is matched with me with a simple click on their name.  Ancestry makes connection easy and that is the entire point of genealogy for me!  Connecting with new family, old family, even connecting to history.

Ancestry.com is more expensive to use than other sites such as familysearch.org (a totally free site that is quite impressive!) but you get for what you pay for.  Ancestry.com needs to make profit in order to provide quality genealogy services and continue their research and development into new DNA adventures.  I am confident that the company will be around for decades to come, which means a lot to someone who is invested in their genealogy research and values and depends on their information to be kept safely and securely of years to come.

As you can tell, I’m passionate about Ancestry.com because it allows me to become the genealogist I’ve always wanted to be.  Ever since I was 8 years old, I knew I wanted to know more about my grandparents and their parents.  I started taking pictures of my oldest family members and asking them what life was like growig up.  It was just what I was naturally curious about.  Guess what?!  I’m still bugging family members with annoying questions about their lives.  Some are more willing to offer information than others.  Ancestry.com helps me organize my facts and interviews and stay organized.  Sure, I could write it down in a notebook some day, but what if it was lost?  What if there was a fire?  Now I’m not saying you should depend 100% in ancestry.com to keep all your records. Each year you should invest in printing out physical copies of your family trees and other important contact numbers, etc.  I think that’s important because you never know.  You should also keep a copy of your raw DNA on your computer hard drive so you always have that info as well.  Don’t forget to keep other family member’s raw DNA on your hard drive as well, if you were lucky enough to acquire Grandma’s saliva.

Happy Researching,

Rebecca