If you’ve run into a roadblock in creating a family history, the Internet might just be the place to turn.

With massive search engines at your disposal, it’s never been easier to type in a name, a place or a date and come back with tons and tons of information. The only problem is the items you find might not be exactly what you’re looking for. In fact, you might come back with hundreds of documents to peruse and not find the right one.

While it’s a great tool for finding out all kinds of information, navigating the World Wide Web to find information on your grandfather takes a little patience and search savvy. Lots of web sites offer good solid research options, but others out there are just looking to turn a buck at your expense.

Here are things to look for when searching through the web to find information about your ancestors:

1 - Newspaper archives – If you have names, dates and places, do a search for these in the area you’re looking. Expect to pay for back copies, but the cost is generally minimal.

2 - Census records – Sites that offer bona fide census reports are great for finding out information about family members of the past.

3 - Local government agencies that keep records – Many agencies that keep public records now keep them online, too. This means you might be able to forgo a trip to get your hands on information about births, deaths and the such.

4 - College sites – Many colleges offer up a lot of their books and documentations online. These can be great places to turn for local histories.

5 - Historical societies – These groups also are using the Internet and putting a lot of their research and documents online.

Be wary when using the Internet though. A lot of sites are just out to turn a fast buck and the information they provide you may or may not even involve your relatives. If it costs too much and sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Whether researching paper documents, looking on microfilm or searching online, start with what you have and trace back, let one document lead you to the next and you’ll find your searches should pay off with a rich and rewarding family history.

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