We looked at the four major websites used for research and family trees: Ancestry, FamilySearch, FindMyPast and MyHeritage. We compared the types and locations of records available, their interest in DNA, family trees on the sites and cost of membership.
Ancestry: has 11 billion names and enough records to provide individual memberships for several countries, has the largest DNA database, and claims 100 million trees (although we know many are duplicates).
FamilySearch: has 7.2 billion names from world-wide records (but probably double that with unindexed records), has no DNA presence, and one global family tree with collaborative input.
FindMyPast: concentrates on United Kingdom records, has an unknown number of DNA customers and also keeps family trees private.
MyHeritage: claims over 7 billion names with a concentration on European and Jewish records, contains several useful DNA tools, and has 50 million trees with an ability to import Gedcoms from other sites.
FamilySearch is free, while the other sites have various levels of subscription costs. Each, however, allows a 14-day free trial. The subscription sites can be accessed at any Family History Center and may be available at public libraries.
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