30 FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019
you subscribe. The major for-profi t sites all
allow non-subscribers to view their lists of
record collections: (^) Ancestry <search.ancestry.com/search/
cardcatalog.aspx>
(^) Findmypast <search.findmypast.com/
historical-records>
(^) Fold3 <www.fold3.com/browse/1>
(^) GenealogyBank <www.genealogybank.
com/newspapers/sourcelist>
(^) MyHeritage <www.myheritage.com/
research/catalog>
(^) Newspapers.com <www.newspapers.com/
browse/US>
3
WAIT FOR DNA DISCOUNTS.
DNA tests are probably the single-
largest expense in the genealo-
gist’s budget. Even the cheapest
DNA tests retail at nearly $100 each—and many
researchers want to buy multiple kits.
Fortunately, the testing companies mark
down their test prices throughout the year.
Autosomal tests at AncestryDNA <dna.ancestry.
com> and MyHeritage DNA <www.myheritage.
com/DNA>, for example, often drop from $99 to
$59 or $69, depending on the sale. Look for deals
around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and again
around DNA Day (April 25).
Bookmark each testing company’s blog and
check in for announcements about discounts:
(^) 23andMe <blog.23andme.com>
(^) AncestryDNA <blogs.ancestry.com/
ancestry/category/dna>
(^) Family Tree DNA <forums.familytreedna.
com>
(^) Living DNA <livingdna.com/news>
(^) MyHeritage DNA <blog.myheritage.com/
category/dna>
Companies also typically off er discounts for
attendees at genealogy conferences, so seek out
their booths if you fi nd yourself at an event like
RootsTech.
In addition, make sure you have a concrete
DNA testing strategy in place so you don’t buy
unnecessary tests <www.familytreemagazine.
com/premium/dna-solutions-dna-testing-
strategy>. No amount of money will solve your
research problems if you’re testing the wrong
person’s DNA (or testing the person’s wrong
kind of DNA).
Do your homework to determine which rela-
t i v e y o u s h o u l d t e s t , w h a t k i n d o f t e s t y o u s h o u l d
order and which company you should order
from. In a series of blog posts in 2018, DNA
expert Shannon Combs Bennett compared the
autosomal DNA tests off ered by the big com-
panies to determine each test’s strengths and
weaknesses <www.familytreemagazine.com/
premium/dna-test-series-part-1>.
4
STORE YOUR RESEARCH
IN GENEALOGY SOFTWARE
INSTEAD OF ONLINE
FAMILY TREES.
Genealogy websites and their useful online
family trees are all the rage, but they come at a
cost (literally). You’ll need a monthly or annu-
al subscription to get the most out of online
family tree services like Ancestry.com and
MyHeritage.
Instead of taking on this recurring, indefi -
nite expense, consider investing in a genealogy
software program. For a one-time fee (often as
low as $30), you can buy desktop family-tree-
building software. With that license, you can
use the program for as long as you like at no
additional cost. Depending on the software
and the kind of license you purchase, you
might even be able to install the program on
multiple devices.
Some software programs give you even more
options, particularly if you later decide to incor-
porate online family trees into your research.
Most of the entries in this year’s
101 Best Websites list are totally free,
while others only require a fee
to access special or upgraded features.
E
You can save money when planning your
family reunions, as well. Learn how <www.
familytreemagazine.com/premium/
family-reunions-on-a-budget>.