Creating Your Family History Book Using FamilySearch Data

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for extracting valuable information directly from FamilySearch.org to help you compile a rich and detailed family history book.

Creating Your Family History Book Using FamilySearch Data

1. Log In and Select Your Ancestor

• Go to FamilySearch.org and Sign In to your account.
• Navigate to the Family Tree by clicking "Family Tree" in the top menu, then selecting "Tree".
• Locate the ancestor you wish to feature in your book. Click on their name in the tree to open their person card, then click "Person" to go to their dedicated person page.

2. Gather Core Biographical Data

• On the person's page, ensure you are on the "Details" tab.
• Copy the vital information displayed, including birth, christening, death, and burial dates and places. This forms the foundation of their life story.
• Scroll down to the "Family Members" section. Note their spouses and children, capturing names, birth dates, and other key details for your narrative.
• If a "Life Sketch" is present, read and copy any compelling text or summaries provided.

3. Collect Memories and Stories

• Click on the "Memories" tab on the person's page. This section is a treasure trove for personalizing your book.
• Review all available photos, stories, documents, and audio recordings.
• For photos: Right-click on an image you want to use and select "Save image as..." to download it to your computer.
• For stories: Click on a story to open it, then copy the text directly from the page into your document.
• For documents: Click on a document, then use the "Download" button (usually an arrow icon) to save it.
• For audio recordings: Click to listen. Consider transcribing poignant excerpts or summarizing the content for your book.

4. Extract Source Information

• Click on the "Sources" tab on the person's page. These are crucial for validating your research and providing credibility to your book.
• For each relevant source, click on it to expand and view the full details.
• Copy the citation information (title, date, repository, and URL) for later use in your book's bibliography or footnotes.
• If a source has an image attached (e.g., a census record), click "View Source" to see the original document, and if appropriate, save the image as you would a photo.

5. Explore the Timeline and Research Helps

• Click on the "Timeline" tab. This visual representation helps you see the chronological order of events in your ancestor's life, aiding in structuring your narrative. Note down key events and their dates.
• Review the "Research Helps" tab for any suggested records or hints that might provide additional details or lead to new discoveries for your book.

6. Organize Your Collected Data

• After gathering information from FamilySearch, create a dedicated folder on your computer to store all the images, documents, and copied text for this person.
• Review the collected material. Identify the most compelling events, relationships, and stories that will form the backbone of your family history book. This preparation, while done outside FamilySearch, is the vital next step to transform raw data into a compelling narrative.