rootsweb.com Reviews

RootsWeb is a free genealogy community website that has been operating since 1996. It was one of the earliest and largest platforms for genealogical research on the internet. RootsWeb provides various resources for genealogists, including access to user-contributed family trees, mailing lists, message boards, and other genealogy-related content.

The website is owned and operated by Ancestry, which is a well-established and reputable company in the genealogy and DNA testing industry. Ancestry provides access to a vast collection of genealogical records and has a large user base.

RootsWeb’s primary features include:

Family Trees: Users can create and share their family trees on RootsWeb. This allows for collaboration and the potential to connect with distant relatives who may be researching the same family lines.
Mailing Lists: RootsWeb hosts thousands of genealogy-related mailing lists, which are used for discussing specific surnames, locations, or research topics. Subscribers can communicate with each other via email.
Message Boards: Similar to mailing lists, RootsWeb’s message boards are forums for discussing genealogy. Users can post queries, share information, and seek assistance from other researchers.
Searchable Databases: RootsWeb offers access to various databases, including vital records, census data, and other historical documents. These databases can be valuable resources for genealogical research.
Web Space: RootsWeb provides free web space for users to create their genealogy websites. This feature has been particularly useful for sharing research findings and family histories.
While RootsWeb has historically been a popular and trusted resource for genealogists, it’s important to note that the website experienced a security incident in 2017. Ancestry, the owner of RootsWeb, discovered a security vulnerability that exposed a portion of RootsWeb’s user data. As a result, Ancestry took the RootsWeb website offline to address the issue and implement security improvements.

After a period of downtime, RootsWeb was relaunched with enhanced security measures. Ancestry notified users about the security incident and encouraged them to change their passwords as a precaution. While any security breach is concerning, Ancestry’s response to the incident and their efforts to secure the website demonstrate a commitment to user safety and data protection.

Given its long history, association with Ancestry, and the steps taken to address the security incident, RootsWeb can be considered a safe and valuable resource for genealogical research. However, as with any online platform, users should exercise caution and follow best practices for protecting their personal information and privacy.

It’s advisable to use strong, unique passwords for online accounts, especially those related to sensitive information like genealogy. Additionally, staying informed about any updates or security notices from RootsWeb and Ancestry can help users maintain a secure and positive experience on the platform.

In summary, RootsWeb is a reputable and long-standing website for genealogy research, offering a range of valuable resources and tools for family history enthusiasts. While the 2017 security incident was a concern, Ancestry’s response and the relaunch of RootsWeb with improved security measures support its status as a safe and reliable platform for genealogical research.”

the reasons behind this review :
Long history in genealogy community, Owned and operated by Ancestry, A well-established and reputable company, Offers access to user-contributed family trees, Hosts thousands of genealogy-related mailing lists, Provides message boards for genealogical discussions, Offers access to various genealogy-related databases, Provides free web space for creating genealogy websites, Experienced a security incident in 2017, Ancestry took the website offline to address the security vulnerability, Relaunched with enhanced security measures, Ancestry notified users about the security incident and encouraged password changes, Ancestry's response demonstrates a commitment to user safety and data protection, Users should use strong, unique passwords and follow best security practices, Staying informed about updates and security notices from RootsWeb and Ancestry is advisable