In March and April, 1996, a group of genealogists organized the Kentucky Comprehensive Genealogy Database Project. The idea was to provide a single entry point for all counties in Kentucky, where collected databases would be stored. In addition, the databases would be indexed and cross-linked, so that even if an individual were found in more than one county, they could be located in the index.

At the same time, volunteers were found who were willing to coordinate the collection of databases and generally oversee the contents of the web page. Required elements of a county page included offering queries and lookups.

This project became known as KyGenWeb.

Within just a few months, most of the Kentucky counties had a volunteer coordinator, and it was decided to expand the project to include the other states... and USGenWeb was born, and a short time later WorldGenWeb.

Today, over six years later, it is easier than ever to research your family while sitting at your computer at home.