This page lists some of the more useful websites that I use in the course of my research. There are millions of others out there and the fact that a particular site is not listed here does not mean that it is not an excellent site. It just means I've missed it out. If you think of other sites, let me know and I'll add them.
Just click on the boxes to go to the website concerned.
This website is excellent and I cannot recommend it highly enough. There are literally millions of original historical documents available to view and download, as well as notice boards, tree-hosting and all sorts of other genealogy based activities. My favourite genealogy site by far.
This is another excellent website which allows users to post surname interests allied to individual villages within the UK. People viewing that village or searching that surname can then e-mail you indirectly. I get a lot of hits from this site.
Familysearch has a wealth of transcribed information on it, much of which has been submitted by other people. It is a good way to look for records relating to family members, but you do need to be careful that you don't get carried away.
Genuki is a massive database covering the UK and Ireland with a wealth of information based on geographical location. Detailed coverage is patchy, depending on where in the UK you are looking, but, if you are lucky, you will find a number of invaluable transcriptions of hard to find sources.
Genes Reunited is a sort of social networking site for family historians. You can upload a tree and contact other people researching the same people. You can then choose to view each other's trees. It is very useful for finding new contacts, but it is often hit and miss whether they will answer you. It is also worth bearing in mind that a lot of what people have put together is a load of old rubbish! I have to say that I am no longer a member, as I always seemed to be helping others, and got nothing in return.
Find my past is a repository of original documents, much like Ancestry, and is among the best websites for UK genealogy. You need to pay to use it but there are various options available. It is currently the only commercial site to house the 1911 UK census (other than the official site) although others will follow this year.
Another major repository of original documents is The Genealogist. This is one of the top three sites in the UK and well worth a look. Of especial interest are the Non-Conformist records.
There is no prize for guessing what is on this site. It is the website for the British National Archives. Their Documents Online process allows you to buy wills and various other records online. It is not as expensive as you may have thought, unless you are looking to download lots of documents.
This is an excellent website for finding living relatives, especially in the USA. I've only just discovered this thanks to a young lady called Tia, via her teacher Cara Chandler, who are from the magnificently named Arroyo Vista Charter School in Chula Vista, California, USA. Thank you ladies!