Help discover and make new record collections available!
American Ancestors provides access one of the most extensive online collections of early American genealogical records and the largest searchable collection of published genealogical research, journals, and magazines. Our database team is always looking for new records sets we can digitize and make into a searchable database. Organizations often bring us their collections, for free or for a reasonable fee. Our library is another great source of raw, paper data just waiting to be scanned, indexed, and uploaded to our website. Each record digitized has enormous potential to lead to a breakthrough in research and change someone's family tree.
There are considerable costs associated with database creation and hosting, which we offset as best we can using volunteers and other means. Your generosity will go to support our hardworking database team, and the critical tasks associated with database production, including:
- Book scanner (a reliable scanner can cost $20 to $30,000)
- Indexing teams (we use a company that employs low-skill workers in Chennai, India – this is a charitable, though not free – operation, and they do great work.)
- Costs associated with recruiting and retaining our 120-person volunteer force
- Data hosting