A family tree that does not send a bill.
RootsFree is run by one family historian, Dwayne, who got tired of paying every year to see his own research. It is free and private, and every fact carries a grade.
The method, in one line
Start from records, not from other people's trees, and grade every link PROVEN, LIKELY or GUESS.
Who runs it
One person builds and runs RootsFree. There is no company behind it, no investors and no sales team. Tips pay the hosting bill.
Why it exists
Paid tree sites charge every year to keep your own research visible. They renew without asking and make it hard to take your photos with you. RootsFree keeps the parts people use, a private tree and free records, and drops the meter.
How it works
- Your tree is stored in your browser, on your device. It is not uploaded.
- Every fact has a grade: PROVEN, LIKELY, GUESS or UNSOURCED. Hints come from records, never from other people's trees.
- Record search uses free public sources: the Library of Congress, Open Archives and Wikidata.
- Import and export use GEDCOM, the standard every tree program reads, with photos alongside.
How it is paid for
Running the site costs about $94 a year. Tips cover it. See the costs, line by line.
Contact
Write through the research form. It keeps your note and your email address so a person can answer you, and nothing else.
Read the promise
No subscription, no card on file, no ads, no selling data. Export or delete everything any time.
The promise