Finding Your Persian Ancestors on FamilySearch

Finding Your Persian Ancestors on FamilySearch

This guide will help you begin your journey of discovering your Persian (Iranian) ancestors using the vast resources available on FamilySearch.org.

Step 1: Create a Free FamilySearch Account (if you don't already have one)

If you don't already have a FamilySearch account, you'll need to create one. It's completely free!

1. Go to FamilySearch.org.
2. Click the "Free Account" button in the upper right corner.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your account.

Step 2: Start Building Your Family Tree

Adding yourself and your immediate family members is the foundation for discovering more distant ancestors.

1. Log in to your FamilySearch account.
2. Click on the "Family Tree" tab at the top of the page.
3. Select "Tree" from the dropdown menu.
4. Click on your own name (if you've already added yourself) or click "Add Father" or "Add Mother" to start building your tree.
5. Enter the vital information (name, birth date, birth place, death date, death place) for each family member you add. Be as accurate as possible.
6. Click "Create Person" to add the individual to your tree.

Step 3: Utilize the Search Function for Records

FamilySearch has digitized records from around the world. This is where you'll start looking for your Persian ancestors.

1. Click on the "Search" tab at the top of the page.
2. Select "Records" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the search fields, enter information about your Persian ancestors, such as:
   • First Name
   • Last Name
   • Birth Date (or a range of years)
   • Birth Place (Start with "Iran" or a specific city/province in Iran)
   • Death Date (if known)
   • Death Place (if known)
4. Click the "Search" button.
5. Review the search results carefully. Pay attention to the details provided in the records, such as names of parents, spouses, and children.
6. If you find a record that seems promising, click on it to view the details and any associated images.

Step 4: Explore the FamilySearch Catalog

The FamilySearch Catalog lists all the records, books, and other resources available at the Family History Library and its associated centers. This can help you identify specific record collections that might contain information about your Persian ancestors.

1. Click on the "Search" tab at the top of the page.
2. Select "Catalog" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the "Place" field, enter "Iran".
4. Click the "Search" button.
5. Browse the results. Look for records related to:
   • Civil Registration (birth, marriage, death records)
   • Census Records
   • Religious Records
   • Military Records
   • Land Records
6. Click on a title to see a description of the record collection and how to access the records. Some records are available online, while others may need to be accessed at a Family History Center.

Step 5: Connect Records to Your Family Tree

Once you find records that pertain to your ancestors, be sure to attach them to their profiles in your family tree. This helps you keep track of your research and provides evidence to support your genealogical findings.

1. From a record details page, click the "Attach to Family Tree" button (if available).
2. Match the information in the record to individuals in your tree.
3. Add notes to explain your reasoning for attaching the record.
4. Click "Attach".

Good luck with your Persian family history research! Remember to be patient and persistent. You may need to try different search strategies and explore various record collections to find the information you are looking for.