Organize Your FamilySearch Research with Essential Genealogy Forms

This guide shows you how to integrate essential genealogy forms into your FamilySearch research process to keep your findings organized and accessible.

Step-by-Step Guide: Organize FamilySearch Research with Essential Genealogy Forms

1. 1. Prepare Your Digital Genealogy Forms

   Before you begin, ensure you have digital copies of your completed essential genealogy forms. This might include scanned images (JPG, PNG) or PDF documents of family group sheets, research logs, or source checklists that you've filled out previously. These digital files will be uploaded to FamilySearch to centralize your research.

2. 2. Navigate to the Individual in FamilySearch

   Log in to FamilySearch.org. Use the "Recents" list, the "Find" feature, or browse your "Family Tree" to locate the specific ancestor or family member to whom your form pertains. Click on their name to open their person page.

3. 3. Access the Memories Tab

   Once on the person's page, look for the horizontal navigation tabs below their name (e.g., "Details," "Sources," "Collaborate"). Click on the "Memories" tab. This section is designed for storing photos, stories, documents, and audio related to your ancestors.

4. 4. Upload Your Genealogy Form

   Within the "Memories" tab, you'll see a collection of existing memories. To add your form, look for the Add Memory button (often a plus sign icon or text link). Click it, and then select Upload Photo or Document. A file explorer window will open. Navigate to where your digital form is saved on your computer, select the file, and click Open or Upload. FamilySearch will then process and upload your document.

5. 5. Tag and Describe Your Uploaded Form

   After your form uploads, it will appear in the Memories gallery. Click on the uploaded form to open it. On the right side, you'll see options to add details. Click Add Title to give your form a descriptive name (e.g., "Research Log for John Smith, 1850-1880" or "Family Group Sheet: Smith-Jones Family"). In the Add a Description field, provide more context about the form and its contents. Most importantly, use the Tag People feature to link every individual mentioned in the form to their respective profiles in FamilySearch. This ensures the form is discoverable from multiple related person pages.

6. 6. Utilize Notes for Research Planning and Logs

   While uploading forms to Memories is excellent for archival purposes, you can also use FamilySearch's built-in "Notes" feature on a person's page as a dynamic research log or plan. Go back to the "Details" tab on an individual's page and scroll down to the "Notes" section. Click Add Note. Here, you can type entries for research questions, sources to check, findings, and future research goals. This acts as a simple, integrated research log directly within FamilySearch, especially useful for ongoing projects without needing external digital forms.