About
GenealogyBank is one of the most comprehensive genealogy research databases available, offering billions of historical records across multiple collection types. Its cornerstone is a vast newspaper archive spanning 1690 to the present, encompassing over 16,000 publications from all 50 U.S. states — 95% of which are exclusive to GenealogyBank. Researchers can find birth announcements, marriage records, engagement notices, obituaries, immigration records, and vivid local news stories that bring ancestors to life beyond simple dates and names. The platform's obituary archive is the world's largest online collection, featuring 326+ million records updated daily, making it invaluable for tracing family trees in all directions. Census records dating back to 1790 allow users to discover siblings, children, and extended relatives. The Social Security Death Index, with over 94 million records, is available for free. Additional collections include U.S. Government Publications (1789–1994) covering military records, land grants, and pension requests, as well as Historical Books (1749–1900) featuring hard-to-find directories, biographies, and local histories. GenealogyBank is designed for both casual family researchers and serious genealogists, offering an advanced search engine, state-level browsing, and culture-specific search filters — including African American, Hispanic American, Irish American, and more — to help anyone trace their heritage.
Key Features
- Massive Exclusive Newspaper Archive: Access over 16,000 newspapers from 1690 to present across all 50 U.S. states, with 95% of content exclusive to GenealogyBank.
- World's Largest Obituary Database: Search 326+ million historical and recent obituaries, updated daily, to expand your family tree in any direction.
- U.S. Census Records (1790–1940): Discover relatives and extended family members through 150 years of American census records.
- Government & Military Records: Explore widow's claims, land grants, military records, Civil War pension requests, and more from U.S. Government Publications spanning 1789–1994.
- Free Social Security Death Index: Freely access 94+ million death records with key details including names, birth dates, death dates, and locations.
Use Cases
- Tracing family lineage by searching ancestor names across historical newspaper archives and obituary records dating to the 1600s.
- Discovering birth, marriage, and immigration records hidden in local newspaper announcements from centuries past.
- Researching military ancestors through Civil War pension records, casualty lists, and Revolutionary War documents.
- Building comprehensive family trees by cross-referencing census records to identify siblings, children, and extended relatives.
- Confirming death information and finding recently deceased relatives using the continuously updated obituary archive and free Social Security Death Index.
Pros
- Unmatched Newspaper Archive: With 95% exclusive content and records dating back to 1690, GenealogyBank offers genealogical records unavailable anywhere else online.
- Massive & Constantly Growing Obituary Collection: The 326+ million obituary archive, updated daily, is the largest of its kind and invaluable for comprehensive family tree research.
- Free SSDI Access: The Social Security Death Index is freely accessible, delivering immediate research value even without a paid subscription.
- Diverse Record Types: Multiple collection types — newspapers, census, obituaries, government publications, and historical books — offer a well-rounded genealogy experience.
Cons
- Subscription Required for Full Access: Most archive content is locked behind a paid subscription, which may be a barrier for casual or one-time researchers.
- Primarily U.S.-Centric Coverage: The platform focuses heavily on American records and may not be useful for those tracing non-U.S. family histories.
- Newspaper Archive Ends at 2016: The newspaper collection currently extends only to 2016, limiting research into more recent events and publications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back do GenealogyBank's records go?
GenealogyBank's records date back to 1690, with newspaper archives, obituaries, and government publications spanning over 330 years of history.
Is GenealogyBank free to use?
GenealogyBank offers a free trial for new users and provides free access to the Social Security Death Index. Full access to all collections requires a paid subscription.
What types of records can I find on GenealogyBank?
You can search newspaper archives, obituaries, U.S. census records (1790–1940), the Social Security Death Index, U.S. government publications (1789–1994), and historical books (1749–1900).
How many newspapers does GenealogyBank include?
GenealogyBank includes over 16,000 newspapers from all 50 U.S. states, with 95% of its newspaper content being exclusive to the platform.
Can I search records by state or cultural background?
Yes. GenealogyBank allows users to filter searches by U.S. state and by cultural heritage, including African American, Hispanic American, Irish American, Native American, German American, Italian American, and Jewish American collections.
