This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
You never know where one name can take you. For me, it started with a ship manifest. My great-grandfather’s name, scribbled in looping ink on an Ellis Island arrival record, opened a door I didn’t know existed — not just to my own history, but to an entire world of stories.
That’s the beauty of Ancestry®. Whether you’re tracing your family’s migration from Ireland to New York, or unearthing long-lost connections in Italy, Poland, or beyond, there’s something deeply human about seeing the path your ancestors took to arrive where you are today.
The World’s Stories, All in One Place
With more than 30 billion records — including birth certificates, military rosters, and ship passenger lists — Ancestry® offers the most comprehensive family history database in the world.
Through a 14-day free trial, you can explore millions of historical documents and family trees, all searchable from home. Whether you start with a single relative’s name or a family photo, the site’s guided tools make it surprisingly simple to connect the dots.
And right now, new members can save up to $60 on their first 6 months of membership — perfect for diving deeper once your free trial ends.
Memberships That Go Beyond Borders
Ancestry offers several ways to explore your story:
- U.S. Discovery: Full access to American records, ideal for tracing your family through census data, immigration records, and more.
- World Explorer: Unlocks both U.S. and international archives, connecting you to relatives and records across continents.
- All Access: The ultimate membership, with additional resources from Fold3® (military archives) and Newspapers.com™ Publisher Extra®, giving you access to old newspaper clippings and military service documents that bring your ancestors’ stories to life.
Whether you’re building a family tree or searching for relatives overseas, these tiers make it easy to customize your level of discovery.
Start Your Story Today
Explore your family history with a 14-day free trial and save up to $60 on your first 6 months of membership.
Start Free TrialWhere DNA Meets Discovery
Pair your membership with AncestryDNA, a simple saliva test that reveals where your ancestors came from across more than 3,000 regions worldwide. It even connects you to DNA matches who share parts of your genetic history — sometimes leading to heartwarming (and surprising) reunions.
Used together, Ancestry® Family History and AncestryDNA give you the fullest possible picture of your past — from the documents that record it to the genes that connect it.
Why Your Family’s Story Still Matters
Understanding your family’s past isn’t just about curiosity — it’s about connection. Those old records, maps, and photos reveal more than names and dates; they tell us how generations survived, migrated, and built the foundations we stand on.
It’s a reminder that history isn’t something distant — it’s personal. And with Ancestry®, it’s now easier than ever to find your place in it.
