Navigating FamilySearch: Your Guide to Genealogy on LDS.org

Navigating FamilySearch: Your Guide to Genealogy on LDS.org

This guide will walk you through the basics of navigating FamilySearch.org, helping you start or continue your genealogy journey.

Step 1: Accessing FamilySearch

1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
2. Go to the FamilySearch website by typing familysearch.org into the address bar and pressing Enter.

Step 2: Logging In (or Creating an Account)

1. If you already have an account, click the "Sign In" button in the top right corner of the page.
2. Enter your username (LDS Account username, email, or username) and password.
3. Click the "Sign In" button.
4. If you do not have an account, click the "Free Account" button in the top right corner.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a free account. You will need to provide your name, birthdate, and email address.

Step 3: Exploring the Navigation Menu

Once logged in, you'll see the main navigation menu at the top of the page. Let's explore its key options:

• Tree: This is where you'll view and manage your family tree.
• Search: This section allows you to search for records about your ancestors.
• Memories: Here, you can upload and view photos, stories, documents, and audio files related to your family history.
• Indexing: Indexing is where volunteers extract the data from images of historical records to make them searchable.
• Activities: Activities section has simple projects that help you and your family learn more about your ancestors.

Step 4: Using the Family Tree

1. Click on "Tree" in the main navigation menu.
2. You'll see your family tree, starting with either yourself or the last person you viewed.
3. Navigate the tree by clicking on the names of individuals. Clicking on a name brings up a summary card.
4. On the Summary card you can click "Person" to see the full details of that individual.
5. To add parents, spouses, or children, click the appropriate "Add" button (e.g., "Add Father," "Add Spouse," "Add Child") that are visible in the pedigree view.

Step 5: Searching for Records

1. Click on "Search" in the main navigation menu.
2. You can choose to search "Records" or "Images."
3. Enter the name, birth information, and other details of the ancestor you are looking for. The more details you provide, the more accurate your search will be.
4. Click the "Search" button.
5. Review the search results and click on any record that seems promising.

Step 6: Exploring Memories

1. Click on "Memories" in the main navigation menu.
2. Click the green "Add Memory" button to upload your images, documents, stories, and audio files.
3. You can tag individuals in your tree in the memories, linking them to the person.

This guide provides a basic overview of navigating FamilySearch.org. Explore the different features and resources available to discover your family history!