GeneaNet considers itself the “website for genealogists.” Users can visit the site and build an online family tree. Resources and tools are available for beginners who are just learning how to research and record family data. GeneaNet also houses a community that includes forums a wiki and a blog. Users can post discussions, ask questions or make suggestions to others who are also searching through family history. The archive page allows users to browse through numerous collections, from post cards and family photographs to indexes, maps and registers. Three search options are available as well. Users can perform a main search that covers the database, an individual search that allows them to seek out specific people by name, event, spouse, occupation and date or a cross data base search to compare family trees to the GeneaNet data base. The beginners’ area includes tools to shed light on the origin of the user’s surname, popularity of their last name and the FAQ with basic questions and answers.

Visit www.geneanet.org

GeneaNet was created to help users learn more about their history and family tree. The website is part of the GeneaNet Network, which includes a list of resources such as the GeneaWiki, GeneaStar, 123genealogie, lagenealogie, GeneaBook ad histoire-prenoms as well as a few other helpful sites. International versions of GeneaNet are also available in numerous languages including German, Finnish, Dutch, French, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and Italian.

GeneaNet provides users with a number of helpful resources to get started building a family tree. The website is essentially a larger network of resources. Users can join discussions in the forums to get assistance, tips or suggestions from other users. The beginners’ area helps the user to become acquainted with genealogy and the history of their family name.

The GeneaNet website has a more basic appearance compared to sites like Ancestry, although it is far from empty. A handful of blue tabs near the upper, left hand side of the page allow users to jump to the main pages, which include the start area, search, archives and community pages. Additional tabs direct the user to their online family tree and account area.

A new user can create a GeneaNet account by clicking on the orange “Register” arrow found just below the main navigational tabs at the top, left hand side of the page. This takes the user to the registration form which requires a title, first name, surname, address, postal code, city or town name, country, date of birth, email address and password. The second half of the form asks the user to subscribe to the GeneaNet newsletter, email aggregate of the latest blog entries and special offers from third party companies. After choosing yes or no for each, the user must also check the terms of service and conditions agreement box before finishing.

GeneaNet offers users two options for using the site. The first is to sign up for a free membership. This account includes up to 1,000 search results, main search access, basic access to the cross data base search and favorites alerts. Users can subscribe to a premium membership which costs around $55 per year or around $100 for two years of access. This membership upgrades to include 2,000 search results, individual searches, alternate name spelling, advanced cross data base search capabilities, personalized online family trees, the ability to print and export family trees, access to searches in 300,000 digital books downloadable registers, support and access to over 6.5 million records in Switzerland, France and Belgium.

GeneaNet provides users with a number of ways to learn about their family history. Anyone interested in exploring their heritage may appreciate the website’s free account option. There are some records and options available that make GeneaNet a good starting point or supplementary resource.

• Create an online family tree
• Choose either a one year or two year subscription
• Perform individual and cross data base searches
• Search for alternate name spellings
• Print and export family trees

Visit www.geneanet.org