I would store my ancestral info on Google earth. You can export overlays and so archive them to a safe offline location.
For the United Kingdom, you will find Bing Maps useful as they have an "Ordnance Survey View" option that will give you names of local places as well as road names etc. I have attached a sample (partial) image.
I have found Rootschatter to be the most helpful genealogical community around. It is a resource to be treasured. You will find it useful to make your Subjects as informative as possible as this will draw the attention of those most likely to be of assistance.
For instance:
NOT "Looking for my uncle"
TRY "John Doe, Anyville, Dorset, c 1789"
or
TRY "Where is PITY ME in Durham?"
I wish you good luck in your research.