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Lately, I’ve been deep in the world of website building, blogging, updating online family trees, and adding new discoveries to my genealogy software. I’ve spent countless hours piecing together this beautiful puzzle of the past. But there’s a question that keeps tugging at the back of my mind—why? Why am I pouring so much time and energy into this?
What happens to all of this once I’m gone? Who will care enough to pick up where I left off? Who do I even leave it to in my will—and how do I make sure it doesn’t become a financial burden for them to maintain?The truth is, I want this work—this legacy—to be accessible to anyone who seeks it. I want future generations to find these stories and feel connected. As someone retired, I don’t have a budget for expensive tools or ongoing subscriptions. So I set myself a challenge: find solutions that are free, sustainable, and shareable. Because this history deserves to last, and I believe there’s always a way to make that happen.
Thankfully, there are free and simple tools you can use to make sure your family history lives on—without needing to be a tech expert or spend any money.
Let me show you how to use two of my favorites: Blogger and Google Sites.
✍️ Blogger: Start Your Own Family History Blog
Blogger is a free blogging platform that lets you share stories, research, and photos like an online journal. It’s easy to use and keeps your posts organized by date.
✅ Write one story at a time
✅ Add scanned documents, recipes, or photos
✅ Label posts by topic (like "Grandpa's War Stories" or "Family Recipes")
✅ Share your blog with relatives near and far
📝 Tip: Use a simple name like “Johnson Family History” so future generations can find it!
🌐 Google Sites: Create a Free Family History Website
Want something that looks more like a website? Google Sites is another free tool you can use to build a simple family history site.
You can add:
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A family tree page
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Photo albums
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Timeline pages
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Sections for different branches of your family
No tech skills needed—you just click, type, and drag!
📷 Idea: Use scanned photos and add captions like “Grandma’s wedding day” or “Uncle Joe’s fishing trip.”
🔐 Keep It Going After You’re Gone
You’ve worked too hard to let your history vanish. Here are some simple ways to make your work last:
✔️ Write down your login info and store it safely
✔️ Choose a digital heir—someone to take over or keep it going
✔️ Use simple language so even non-genealogists can enjoy it
✔️ Back it up—save a copy of your blog or website as a PDF or print
💡 You Can Leave a Legacy—For Free
You don’t need fancy tools or big budgets to preserve your family’s story. With free tools like Blogger and Google Sites, you can make sure your legacy lives on for generations.
Even if you just share one story a week, or one photo at a time, it adds up. And one day, a descendant might stumble across your site and feel connected to their roots—thanks to you.
