Free Genealogy Resources
One of the goals of the Broomfield Genealogy Society is to engage our members and our community in family history research. In our Free Genealogy Resources section, we provide a number of different educational resources. Here you will find resources and links to free online resources, e.g., genealogy charts, templates, and tutorials.
New to Genealogy?
How to start your genealogy or family history quest. As a new genealogist, you are probably wondering where to start?
- A great place to start is by checking out the Getting Started resources at the National Genealogical Society’s (NGS) Getting Started page.
- If you are starting your family tree using Ancestry.com, head on over to YouTube and check out the videos by The Barefoot Genealogist, Crista Cowin. She provides numerous videos on how to get started with Ancesty.com and AncestryDNA.
- Genealogist, Carol Darrow, offers a “Beginning Genealogy” class thru the Colorado Genealogical Society. Check out their Events page for class information,
For Youth and Kids
This youth resource page came at the suggestion of a local Boy Scout, Carter, who was working on his Genealogy Merit Badge in 2022. He asked if we could add a resource which he found useful when working on his badge to our genealogical resource page. Therefore, this section is devoted to genealogical links for youth and children, thanks to Carter. His resource link (the first) is here along with others that may be of interest to young people and kids.
- Genealogy For Kids: Building A Family Tree – A page with many links and activities for kids to help with creating and researching family history.
- 5 Cool Apps & Websites to Research Family History with Your Kids – The title says it all.
- Family History Activities for Children: 3-11 – FamilySearch resource page by provide by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for kids.
- Family History Activities for Youth – Another FamilySearch resource page by provide by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for youth.
- Family History Ideas for Children and Teens – A collection of more than 270 articles and blog posts with ideas to teach, do and share family history with children and teens.
- Family History Activities for Kids – Includes a list of free, easy-to-do activities that will keep children entertained and inspired to think about their family history.
- 21 Activities to Get Your Kids Excited About Family History – Another title that says it all provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Family Tree Projects and Genealogy for Kids – Advice page for getting your kids involved in family history and to help with homework for those studying family history.
Local History
See Broomfield County, Colorado – Genealogy at FamilySearch for a guide to Broomfield County ancestry, genealogy and family history, along with links to birth, marriage, death, census, and military records, along with Broomfield County history.
Reviews – Books, Videos, etc.
“Broomfield: Changes Through Time” by Sylvia Pettem
This book covered different eras from 1850 to 2001. From 1850-1900, we see the different families that were the first to establish residence. At that time, the town was made up of a Post Office, Railroad, and the name “Broomfield”. 1900 to 1950 saw more farming added and the railroad flourished. Schools were built along what is now Vance Street. From 1950 to 2001, the book led us into a major time for city development. The government added more schools and the railroad changed over to freight, which was more profitable.
– Available at both the Broomfield Public Library and Denver Public Library.
“Gem of the Mountain Valley: A History of Broomfield” by Laura Spitler, Lou Walther
Broomfield Centennial-Bicentennial Commission, 1975
This book goes into a little more depth about the families and the history each brought to the new area. We learn about area land markers, and Lakeview Cemetery with 2 acres, and a signed agreement with the city. It looks back with pictures of the grange and the first church and the first 3 schools (Nativity of the Lord, Emerald, and Cottage). Bits and Pieces from different newspapers were added, including a great write-up on Shep the dog. It also includes each mine in Broomfield with the location listed.
– Available at both the Carnegie Library in Boulder and Denver Public Library.
For some FUN!
Check out Haunted Places near Broomfield and in the Denver metro area.
Free Stuff from Our Speakers
- Sara Cochran’s “The Skeleton Whisperer” Free Stuff page with worksheet download that will help you: 1) Organize Your Research! 2) Identify gaps! and 3) Create a Research Plan!
- Suz Bates’ GENEALOGY FUN AND FREE page with genealogy helpers for 23andMe, Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, etc.
Online Free Genealogy Resources
- Family Search is a nonprofit organization devoted to helping everyone discover their family history.
- Historic American Newspapers and search America’s historic newspaper pages from 1777-1963 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present.
- Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) aim is to provide public access to digital holdings of United States libraries, archives, and museums as a large-scale public digital library.
- Library of Congress Catalog contains records for books, images, manuscripts, maps, music, and recording resources held in the Library of Congress collections.
In addition to the above, the following Genealogy and Historical Resource Sites are available. Note that some may require a subscription to view their full archive of records:
For DNA testing companies, check out the following providers. The tests are not free, but many of these companies also provide genealogy records resources as part of DNA testing.
Search Census Records for Your Ancestors
Search the free US Census records at MyHeritage for your Colorado ancestors (or in other locations for them):
- 1950 US Census, – The moment we all awaited has finally arrived! We are delighted to see the release of the 1950 U.S. Federal Census collection, 72 years after the enumeration was initiated, it is now available for you to search for FREE!
- 1940 US Census, To search, enter the name (surname as a minimum) and Broomfield, Colorado for location.
- 1930 US Census – To search, enter the name (surname as a minimum) and Broomfield, Colorado for location.
- 1920 US Census – Broomfield is not a geographical place yet in the 1920 census, so use Boulder County as a location along with the name (surname as a minimum) to search.
- 1910 US Census – Broomfield is not a geographic place in the 1910 census, so use Boulder County as a location along with the name (surname as a minimum) to search.
- 1900 US Census – Broomfield is not a geographic place in the 1900 census, so use Boulder County as a location along with the name (surname as a minimum) to search.
- 1890 US Census – Most of the 1890 US Census records were destroyed by fire in 1921. No records for Colorado exist or for most of the nation.
- 1880 US Census – Broomfield is not a geographic place in the 1800 census, so use Boulder, Colorado as a location along with the name (surname as a minimum) to search. Note: Be sure to set the location to use the exact match.
- 1870 US Census – Colorado is not yet a State in 1870, so use Colorado (territory) as a location along with the name (surname as a minimum) to search.
- 1860 US Census – Colorado is not yet a geographic place in the1860, so may not find anyone in the 1860 census living in what is now Colorado.