Like those of us who dine in familiar restaurants and order the same menu items time after time, Web-surfing genealogists often stick to the tried and true online. After all, when you've had success at RootsWeb <www.rootsweb.com>, Cyndi's List <www.cyndislist.com> or Family Search <www.familysearch.org>, why sample something else? But sometimes future favorites are right under your nose — like the kung pao chicken at that place where you always get the moo shu pork.

This year, though, we vowed to be different. We set our course for unfamiliar territory. While acknowledging all our old favorites — we still love them — we focused this year's list entirely on previously undiscovered sites. Many are newly launched. Most have never appeared on our 101 Best lists, or they've improved dramatically since their long-ago listings. Some of these sites range a bit more widely than the "hardcore" genealogy hotbeds found in typical roundups. They'll help you put your ancestors in historical context, find them on the map or preserve and share your findings about the past. All, we think, have the potential to become fresh fixtures on your Favorites menu. (Note the $ sign indicates sites that aren't entirely free.)