Try this Website:
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Sear...lear_form=true
It has a lot of neat stuff in it, but only about dead persons --no good if they are still living. And yes, some of those sites (like genealogy.com) are confusing and have flawed information--- try finding info on "Pattersons" for God's sake!) Remember we are all amateur "genealogists."

But, to get on topic... Genealogy is worth it; I have found about 25 tartans I can trace back to (mostly Irish) --- we Americans are lucky to have a vibrant and diverse ancestry!