Finding Holocaust Records on FamilySearch

How to Find Holocaust Records on FamilySearch

This guide will help you search for records related to the Holocaust on FamilySearch.

Steps to Search:

1. Go to FamilySearch.org: Open your web browser and navigate to the FamilySearch website.
2. Sign In: In the top right corner, click "Sign In" and enter your username and password. If you don't have an account, click "Create Free Account" and follow the instructions.
3. Navigate to the Search Page: Once you are logged in, click on "Search" in the navigation menu.
4. Select "Records": From the "Search" dropdown, choose "Records". This will take you to the main record search page.
5. Enter Search Terms:
   • In the "First Name" and "Last Name" fields, enter the name of the individual you are researching. If you are unsure of the spelling, use wildcard characters such as * or ?.
   • In the "Life Event" section, add keywords like "Holocaust," "concentration camp," or the name of a specific camp (e.g., "Auschwitz").
   • In the "Location" field, enter the country or region where the Holocaust events occurred (e.g., "Germany," "Poland," "Netherlands").
6. Filter by Collection: On the search results page, look for the "Filter by Collection" option. Here, you can narrow down your search to specific record types or collections that might contain Holocaust-related information. Examples include:
   • "Germany, Nordrheinwestfalen, Holocaust Memorial Books, 1933-1945"
   • "Jewish Records Indexing - Poland"
7. Review Search Results: Carefully examine each search result. Look for details such as dates, locations, and names of relatives that match your research.
8. View the Record Details: If a search result seems promising, click on the name or record title to view more detailed information. This may include transcriptions, images, or links to related records.
9. Explore the FamilySearch Catalog:
   • Go back to the FamilySearch homepage.
   • Click on "Search" in the navigation menu.
   • Select "Catalog".
   • Enter keywords such as "Holocaust," "World War II," or the name of a specific concentration camp in the "Keyword" field.
   • Click "Search".
   • Review the catalog entries for relevant books, archives, and other resources.