Help Index Records on FamilySearch
The Church has a new, easier way to volunteer — right from your phone or computer. No special software. No genealogy experience required. Just a few minutes and a willing heart.
What Is "Get Involved"?
For years, FamilySearch had a separate Indexing app you had to download and install. That app has been retired. In its place, FamilySearch now offers Get Involved — a suite of volunteer activities built directly into FamilySearch.org and the FamilySearch mobile app.
Anyone with a free FamilySearch account can participate. You don't need any genealogy knowledge. The tasks are short, self-contained, and explained step by step right on the screen.
Why does this matter? Billions of historical records sit in archives around the world — handwritten, photographed, and waiting. Volunteers read and transcribe those records so they become searchable by name. Every entry you index could be the key that helps someone find an ancestor ready for temple work.
What Can You Do?
Get Involved offers several types of volunteer tasks — pick whichever fits your time and comfort level:
Index
Type out names and information from a scanned historical record — like a census page or a birth register.
Review
Check someone else's indexing work for accuracy. A second set of eyes improves quality for everyone.
Photograph
Capture local records at libraries, cemeteries, or family collections and contribute them to the global archive.
Resolve
Help merge duplicate records or clarify conflicting information in the FamilySearch Family Tree.
Get the App or Use Your Browser
Get Involved works on any device. Choose what's easiest for you:
On Your Phone or Tablet
Download the free FamilySearch Family Tree app. Get Involved is built right in — tap the menu and look for "Get Involved" or "Indexing."
Get the App →On Your Computer
No download needed. Sign in to familysearch.org, click the menu at the top, and select Get Involved under the Volunteer section.
Open on FamilySearch →How to Get Started
- Create a free FamilySearch account at familysearch.org if you don't already have one. Church members can sign in with their Church Account.
- Once signed in, click the menu icon (three lines) at the top of the page. Look for Get Involved under the Volunteer or Activities section.
- Choose a project from the list. Projects are labeled by difficulty — start with "Beginner" if you're new. Each one shows you a sample image before you commit.
- Read the project instructions that appear on screen — they tell you exactly what information to enter and how to handle tricky handwriting.
- Work through your batch of records at your own pace. You can save and come back later. Most batches take 10–20 minutes.
- When you're done, submit your work. FamilySearch automatically sends it for review and applies it to the searchable record database.
💡 Tip: Start with a Short Batch
When you first open Get Involved, filter by Beginner difficulty and look for projects with typed text rather than handwriting — they're much easier to read. Once you're comfortable, handwritten records are very manageable with a little practice.
Common Questions
Do I need genealogy experience?
No. Indexing doesn't require you to know anything about family history research. You're simply reading what's written on a document and typing it into a form. The instructions walk you through every field.
What if I can't read the handwriting?
Every project gives you tools — you can zoom in, adjust contrast, and mark a field as unreadable if it truly can't be deciphered. You're not expected to guess. Just do your best and mark what you can't read.
How much time does it take?
As much or as little as you want. A single batch typically takes 10–20 minutes. You can do one a week, one a day, or just whenever you have a few spare minutes. Every record you index matters.
Is the old Indexing app still available?
No — the standalone FamilySearch Indexing desktop app has been retired. All indexing now happens through Get Involved on the website or the FamilySearch Family Tree mobile app.
Ready to Help?
Millions of ancestors are waiting to be found. A few minutes of your time can make someone's family history complete — and make possible temple ordinances that last for eternity.
✍️ Start IndexingSources & Citations
- "FamilySearch Indexing App Retiring — Transition to Get Involved" — FamilySearch Blog
- FamilySearch Get Involved / Indexing — familysearch.org
- FamilySearch Family Tree Mobile App — familysearch.org
- General Handbook, Chapter 25: "Uniting Families for Eternity through Temple and Family History Work" — churchofjesuschrist.org
Content reflects FamilySearch's Get Involved platform as of 2026. Feature locations within the app or website may change — refer directly to familysearch.org for the most current navigation.
