FamilySearch.org: The Free Genealogy Website from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This guide will help you get started using FamilySearch.org, the robust, free genealogy website provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Getting Started with FamilySearch.org

FamilySearch.org is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in their family history. It offers access to billions of records, a collaborative family tree, and tools to preserve your memories, all completely free.

1. Create Your Free Account or Sign In

• Open your web browser and go to FamilySearch.org.
• If you have an account, click "Sign In" in the top right corner and enter your username and password.
• If you're new, click "Free Account" (also in the top right).
• Follow the on-screen prompts to create your account. You'll need to provide your name, birth date, country of residence, and a username/password. You may also be asked for an email or mobile number for verification.

2. Explore the Home Page

Once signed in, you'll land on your personal home page. Familiarize yourself with the main navigation bar at the top:

• Family Tree: This is where you build and view your family tree.
• Search: Find historical records, other genealogies, the catalog, books, and research wiki.
• Memories: Upload photos, documents, stories, and audio recordings.
• Activities: Fun ways to discover your heritage.
• Indexing: Help make records searchable for others.
• Get Help: Access the Help Center, contact support, or find a Family History Center.

3. Build Your Family Tree

The collaborative Family Tree is a core feature of FamilySearch.org.

• Click "Family Tree" in the top navigation bar, then select "Tree".
• You'll likely see yourself already in the center (if you started your account).
• Click on "+ Add Father" or "+ Add Mother".
• Enter their name, gender, birth date, and birth place. If you know their death date and place, add that too.
• Crucially, click "Next" or "Find". FamilySearch will search its massive database for existing individuals who match your entry. If a match is found, you can attach it, connecting you to generations of shared family history.
• If no match is found, you can choose to create a new person.
• Repeat this process for your grandparents and further back, connecting to more generations as you go.

4. Discover Your Ancestors Through Records

FamilySearch.org hosts billions of historical records.

• Click "Search" in the top navigation, then select "Records".
• On the search page, enter your ancestor's first name, last name, a life event (e.g., birth, marriage, death), and the approximate year and place.
• Click the "Search" button.
• Review the search results. When you find a promising record, click on the record title to view its details.
• Look for the document image (often available) to see the original record. This is vital for accuracy.
• You can then attach this record to the relevant person in your family tree.

5. Preserve Family Memories

Keep your family stories and images alive for future generations.

• Click "Memories" in the top navigation, then select "Gallery".
• Click the green "+ Add Memories" button (or specific buttons like "Add Photo," "Add Document," "Add Story," "Add Audio").
• Upload photos or documents from your computer.
• Once uploaded, you can add titles, dates, descriptions, and most importantly, tag people from your FamilySearch tree who are in the memory. This links the memory directly to their profile.

Continue to explore the various features of FamilySearch.org. The more you use it, the more familiar and powerful it will become in your family history journey!