How to Research Taylor Parker's Family History on FamilySearch

How to Research Taylor Parker's Family History on FamilySearch.org

This guide will show you how to begin researching the family history of Taylor Parker on FamilySearch.org, focusing on connecting to deceased ancestors and utilizing the platform's features.

Step 1: Log In and Begin with a Living Person

• Go to FamilySearch.org and Sign In. If you don't have an account, create a free one.
• Understand that FamilySearch's public tree is for deceased individuals. Information about living people like Taylor Parker is private and visible only to you. You'll privately add Taylor, then link to public, deceased ancestors.
• From your FamilySearch homepage, click Family Tree in the top menu, then Tree.
• To add Taylor Parker: Click the "Find" icon (magnifying glass) in the top menu, then select "Find by Name". Enter "Taylor Parker" and any known birth details. Since Taylor is living, click "Create a New Person". Fill in details, ensure "Living" is selected, and click "Create Person". This adds a private record for Taylor.

Step 2: Add Known Deceased Ancestors

• From Taylor Parker's private Person page, locate the "Family Members" section.
• Click "Add Father" and "Add Mother". Enter names and details. For living parents, mark them as "Living".
• Crucially, continue adding parents and grandparents, moving backward in time, until you enter an ancestor you know is deceased (with a death date/place). This deceased ancestor is your gateway to the shared FamilySearch tree.

Step 3: Utilize Record Hints and Search for Deceased Ancestors

• Navigate to the Person page of your deceased ancestor (e.g., a great-grandparent).
• On their Person page, look for the "Research Helps" section. Pay close attention to "Record Hints" (often a green icon or number). Click these to review potential records like census, birth, or death records.
• To conduct a broader search, click the "Search Records" button on their Person page. Review results carefully.
• When you find a matching record, click "Review and Attach". This allows you to add the record to your ancestor's profile and extract new information, potentially revealing more family members.

Step 4: Expand Your Tree and Connect to the Shared Tree

• After attaching records, new ancestors may be revealed. On the deceased ancestor's Person page, click "View Tree" to see them in a visual tree format.
• In the tree view, look for green (Record Hints) or blue (Research Suggestions) icons. These indicate opportunities to find more information or extend your family lines.
• Use the "Add Parent" or "Add Child" options directly from the tree view to extend branches with newly discovered individuals.
• FamilySearch will often suggest connecting your deceased ancestors to existing profiles in the vast shared tree if it finds strong matches. Always review these suggestions thoroughly before accepting to ensure accuracy.