Cyndi’s List is one of the most informative and valued genealogical websites that I have used. I had assumed anyone doing family research for any amount of time knew about this list, but I have talked to researchers lately that have not heard of this appreciated website. I would like to let you know what Cyndi’s List has to offer in assisting you in your genealogy endeavors.

Cyndi’s List is owned, financed and designed by Cyndi Howell. The website went live on March 4, 1996 and by the end of the year reached 9,600 links. February 1998 the website got it’s own domain name of Cyndi’s List hosted by Rootsweb. Also, on July 13, 1998, Cyndi’s List was featured in Time Magazine! There were many advances throughout the years but after a decade Cyndi List’s had:

• 251,235 total links
• 242,672 categorized links
• 8,563 "What's New" links submitted by visitors
• 684 individual web pages
• Visits through the front page: more than 43 million
• An average of 2 million page hits each month
• 1 part-time employee, Michele
• 1 periodic dabbler and caffeine-delivery person, Mark
• 1 full-time caretaker, Cyndi

You can see an entire page of advances of Cyndi’s List HERE or visit her BLOG. At the time of this writing, Cyndi’s List has 291,330, 180+ categories, and 9,900 new and uncategorized links.

Just a sampling of the LINKS are

• Ethnical Groups
• Countries
• Census
• Religions
• Books
• Oral Histories
• Blogs
• Primary Sources
• Cemeteries & Funeral Homes
• Railroads
• City Directories
• Royalty
• Immigration
• Genealogy Societies
• Family Bibles
• Genetics
• How To Resources
• Mailing Lists
• Military
• Many, Many More!

The awesome thing about Cyndi’s List is that you can access it FREE of charge. The website is going through some updating and major upgrades that will benefit all of us doing family history research. A lot of researchers wanted to help Cyndi with this financial endeavor to show their thanks for all her hard work. If you visit the website and feel it has helped you, consider making a donation.

Cyndi Howell has authored the following books:

• Cyndi's List: A Comprehensive List of 70,000 Genealogy Sites on the Internet
• Netting Your Ancestors : Genealogical Research on the Internet
• Planting Your Family Tree Online : How to Create Your Own Family History Web Site (Ngs Guides, 4)

Cyndi’s List Genealogy Bookstore

If you are interested in having Cyndi Howell (Cyndi’s List) come speak to your group, check HERE for her availability.