internet genealogy is like the Milky Way — always expanding. But it wasn't always this way. A decade ago, online genealogy pickings were slim, and the resources that were out in cyberspace could be tricky to track down. Today, though, you can type genealogy into any search engine and find millions of Web sites. And it's not just the numbers that boggle the mind: Who would've thought you could find transcriptions from an Alabama cemetery and research queries for Zimbabwe ancestors in a matter of seconds?

The vast Internet universe holds all that — and much more — for family historians. For instance, you might have heard about (or even tried searching) free databases such as those at the FamilySearch <www.familysearch.org> and Ellis Island <www.ellisisland.org> Web sites, where you can comb millions of names instantly. You'll also find plenty of subscription sites offering up real records at the click of a mouse. So where should you start? If you're a genealogy Net novice, your best bet is to search those astronomical databases later — after you've done a little homework. In other words: Don't launch your cyber spaceship without reading the manual first. Along with those mammoth ancestor-search databases, the Web has zillions of sites crammed with valuable genealogy information for beginners, including how-to hints, forums for questions and details on specific research topics. Begin your foray into online family history with the best of those beginner-friendly destinations: We've picked 12 great free sites with the tools and information to get your ancestor search off to a galactically speedy start.