Genealogy research is rewarding, but finding a way to organize, preserve, and share your discoveries can be a challenge. Creating a family history website is an excellent way to compile and present your research in an engaging and accessible format. Whether you’re a novice genealogist or an experienced researcher, a website can serve as a digital family tree, historical archive, and storytelling hub for your relatives and future generations.
This guide will walk you through the process of designing a family history website, from choosing a platform and structuring content to incorporating genealogy tools and engaging your audience.
1. Why Create a Family History Website?
A family history website allows you to:
✅ Preserve and Organize Information – Store photos, documents, family trees, and stories in one place.
✅ Share with Relatives – Make it easier for family members to access and contribute information.
✅ Engage Younger Generations – An interactive website makes family history more appealing.
✅ Connect with Distant Relatives – Help other genealogists researching the same family line.
✅ Secure Data with Backups – Unlike paper records, digital archives are more durable.
A well-designed website brings your family’s history to life through multimedia, maps, and storytelling.
2. Choosing the Right Platform for Your Family History Website
Before diving into design, you need to choose a website platform that fits your technical skills and project goals.
A. Website Builders (Best for Beginners)
If you want a simple drag-and-drop interface without coding, consider:
🔹 Wix (www.wix.com) – Easy to use with beautiful templates.
🔹 Squarespace (www.squarespace.com) – Elegant designs with built-in blogging tools.
🔹 Weebly (www.weebly.com) – User-friendly and great for beginners.
B. Blogging Platforms (Great for Storytelling)
If your focus is writing and sharing family stories, consider:
📝 WordPress (www.wordpress.com) – Highly customizable with many genealogy plugins.
📝 Blogger (www.blogger.com) – A simple, free blogging tool.
C. Genealogy-Specific Website Platforms
These platforms integrate family tree features, making it easy to store and share genealogical data:
🌳 MyHeritage Family Websites (www.myheritage.com) – Syncs with your family tree.
🌳 TNG (The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding) (www.tngsitebuilding.com) – A powerful genealogy website tool for tech-savvy users.
🌳 TribalPages (www.tribalpages.com) – Offers secure, private family tree hosting.
D. Custom Websites (For Advanced Users)
For those comfortable with coding, you can build a custom website using:
💻 Self-Hosted WordPress (www.wordpress.org) – More flexibility and control.
💻 HTML & CSS – For full design freedom.
💻 Google Sites (sites.google.com) – A simple, free option for private family sites.
👉 Tip: If you’re unsure, start with Wix or WordPress—they are beginner-friendly but expandable.
3. Structuring Your Family History Website
A well-organized website makes it easy for visitors to navigate and explore your family history.
Essential Pages to Include:
🗂️ Home Page – A welcome message introducing the website’s purpose.
🌳 Family Tree Page –
- Use a family tree builder (MyHeritage, Ancestry, or TNG).
- Embed interactive family tree widgets.
- Allow relatives to add their own data (if desired).
📖 Family Stories & Biographies –
- Dedicate a section to ancestor profiles.
- Include photos, letters, and audio clips.
- Organize by generation, surname, or timeline.
📰 Historical Documents & Photos –
- Upload census records, military records, and old letters.
- Use scanned photo albums to showcase family pictures.
🌎 Maps & Migration Routes –
- Show where your ancestors lived and how they migrated.
- Use Google Maps or interactive family history maps.
🗣️ Oral Histories & Videos –
- Record and upload interviews with older family members.
- Use YouTube (unlisted videos) or Vimeo to store videos.
📝 Blog or Updates Page –
- Share recent research discoveries.
- Post about genealogy trips or family reunions.
👉 Tip: Keep navigation simple and intuitive—don’t overload visitors with too much at once!
4. Tools & Resources to Enhance Your Family History Website
A. Genealogy Software & Plugins
- Family Tree Builder (http://www.myheritage.com/family-tree-builder) – Syncs your research with an online tree.
- TNG (The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding) – Great for adding dynamic family trees.
- WordPress Plugins – Consider RootsPersona (www.rootspersona.com) for adding genealogical data.
B. Free Historical Records & Archives
- National Archives (www.archives.gov) – Access public records.
- FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org) – Free records and tools.
- Find A Grave (www.findagrave.com) – Cemetery records for ancestor memorials.
C. Design & Multimedia Tools
- Canva (www.canva.com) – Create graphics and family trees.
- Animoto (www.animoto.com) – Make slideshow videos with family photos.
- Google Maps (http://www.google.com/maps) – Create custom family migration maps.
5. Making Your Website Engaging & Interactive
To keep relatives interested, add interactive and collaborative features:
A. Private vs. Public Website
- Decide whether to keep it private (for family only) or make it public.
- Use password protection if sharing sensitive details.
B. Encourage Family Participation
- Add a “Submit a Memory” form for relatives to contribute stories.
- Create a private family forum or guestbook.
- Host virtual family reunions using Zoom or a private Facebook group.
C. Keep Content Fresh
- Update regularly with new discoveries.
- Celebrate family anniversaries and birthdays.
- Share genealogy tips and research progress.
👉 Tip: A living website grows with your research—treat it as an ongoing project!
Final Thoughts: A Digital Legacy for Future Generations
Creating a family history website is one of the best ways to preserve your genealogy research for future generations. Whether you build a simple family blog or a full-scale historical archive, your site will become a valuable resource that keeps your ancestors’ stories alive.
Have you created a genealogy website? Share your experiences and tips in the comments!
Additional Resources for Building Your Family History Website
📜 Genealogy Research: FamilySearch | Ancestry
🌎 Website Builders: Wix | WordPress
🎥 Multimedia Tools: Canva | Animoto
Start designing your family history website today and create a digital legacy that lasts!
Jackie's Genealogy 
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