Stirnet

http://www.stirnet.com

This is a private website, which was originally free, but now charges a subscription. Stirnet's website has VERY extensive pedigrees for the many of the major (mostly British and Irish) families and it is still growing. If you have family which links to any of these pedigrees, then this is a valuable website. Many of the pages are linked, so you can go from family to family. It is possible to visit the Stirnet page and see the indexes to the genealogy pedigrees on offer.

Another aspect of the Stirnet site is its emphasis on social history and sociology, which is often overlooked when people do genealogy. They also have a number of articles on genealogy, have started some short biographical stuff under "pen profiles" and related topics.

Joining their Membership Scheme offers a members only area and of course full use of the site. If you provide a meaningful contribution (ie. a well-researched pedigree or so) you may be offered free membership for a short period. They will need to assess what you've done and how good it is before you're offered this. Or, you can register as a member for different periods starting at 14 days, up to a year. The subscription money goes to support further research to further the Stirnet Project.

The Stirnet website has recently had an upgrade.

Patrice Connelly
November 2010, updated august 2011