This is a free website run by the largest genealogy organization in the world. You need to create an account to use the service. You will come across the word "census," a lot. It means a survey of a population. The most recent U.S. census available is from 1940 due to privacy reasons.
This is a paid website that you can only access in a public library. It provides a wide range of resources for genealogical and historical research.
It is okay to Google your topic and explore the search results. Be sure to use the sources created by people who know what they are talking about or have relevant evidence to support their claims. Not sure what the differences are between a website and a database?
Websites
Databases
The Bottom Line Difference
Most likely you will find helpful information in both websites and databases. The main difference is that when you use websites, YOU must be the one to confirm that the information is coming from a reliable. Ask these questions before you use website information: