 As we begin the New Year, we'd like to take a moment to look back over the past year at the growth of the Ancestry Archive database. Our database is now over 491 million names, which means we've added 100 million new records in 2009. The Books and Records Database represents an additional 56 new databases with approximately 250,000 more new records. You do not need to register or pay to search our Ancestry Archive Index. The results of an Index Search provide such detailed information as names, birth/death/marriage place and year, and parent or spouse names. That makes it easy to see exactly what information is available before making the decision to pay for a subscription.
Listed below are some of the major databases that were added to the MyTrees.com Ancestry Archive Index in 2009.
Pedigree Linked Family Trees
 Our Ancestry Archive database currently contains more than 250 millions names. These records represent the research of individual genealogists and can not only help you extend your pedigree charts, but also help you to connect with other researchers. Sometimes the most valuable genealogy find can be a fellow family historian searching for a common ancestry. To help you find the most valuable databases, you can sort your Ancestry Archive Search Results according to factors such as how many generations or ancestors each file contains, how many notes were included, and when the database was last updated.
Click here to search the Ancestry Archive Database.
Books and Records
This database includes a broad range of text extractions. These extractions include vital records  such as birth, marriage, death, and census records. This database also includes extractions from newspapers and family history books. The Newspaper announcements and obituaries can show you a glimpse of your ancestor's daily life. The information gleaned from these sources tell you of the events big and small that were occurring around your ancestor. The extractions from family history books are rich in the family lore and stories that make genealogy so interesting. This database represents a chance to find so much more than just names and dates.
In 2009, 56 new databases were added to this collection. To see a complete list of available records, or to search the collection, click here.
Footnote.com
Over the past year the Ancestry Archive Index at MyTrees.com was enhanced by the addition of several valuable record collections from Footnote.com . You can search an index of these collections on our site and the results will connect directly to images of these records at Footnote.com, a website dedicated to providing you with original documents of historical and genealogical importance. Footnote.com charges a small fee to view the images. Footnote.com is a thriving community where you can make connections with other researchers. Have a personal insight about a historical event? Want to share a family anecdote about an ancestor listed on the record? Go ahead. Footnote.com provides an environment of social networking where you can discover and experience history along with others who share your passion.
These valuable record collections searchable at MyTrees.com include:
Revolutionary War Pension Files
 This collection represented an addition of 3.5 million records to our indexes and includes the entire pension files for soldiers and sailors who served in the Revolutionary War. There were three principle types of pensions given to servicemen and their dependents during and after the Revolutionary War:
- Disability or Invalid Pensions - awarded to servicemen for physical disabilities incurred in the line of duty.
- Service Pensions - awarded to veterans who served for specified periods of time.
Widows' Pensions - awarded to women whose husbands had been killed in the war or were veterans who had served for specified periods of time.
Click here to search the Revolutionary War Pension Files.
1860 US Census Records
This collection contains over 25 million names. The MyTrees.com extensive search engine will more easily help you to find your family in the 1860 US Census, even if the family you are seeking has a common name like Smith. This census search at MyTrees.com makes it possible for you to expand your search to include parents, sibling, or children of the family. The results also show all family members with their ages, helping you to quickly find the family you are seeking.
Click here to search the 1860 US Census Records.
Naturalization Records
This collection of 3.6 million records includes US  naturalization records and indexes from the 1700 to mid-1900s. Types of records available are:
- Declaration of Intention: The first paper filed by the immigrant, declaring his/her intention of becoming a citizen. It was usually filed within the five years of coming to the US.
- Petition for Naturalization: The second and final paper filed by the immigrant, petitioning for citizenship. This generally was filed at least three years after the declaration of intention, although that was largely dependant on the naturalization laws of the time.
- Naturalization Certificate: The certificate received by the immigrant, granting him or her citizenship.
- Indexes: Records kept by the court of immigrants who had been naturalized. Often contains pertinent genealogical information.
Click here to search Naturalization Records.
1930 US Census Records
The results of a MyTrees.com search of the 1930 US Census will show all family members with their ages, helping you to quickly find the family you are seeking. Even if you've already searched the 1930 Census, this collection of 106 million names still has something to offer you.  The images at Footnote.com have been enhanced by researchers who have added photographs, documents, stories, or other facts about an individual. So, if you find an ancestor in this collection, you may find a lot more than just the census data. One useful feature, the "Watch" button, lets you choose to receive notifications when anything new has been added or changed about an individual. That way, if someone adds a photograph of your grandfather after you've already looked at the census page, you'll know about it.
Click here to search the 1930 US Census Records.
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