Tracing the von Trapp Family History on FamilySearch

A Beginner's Guide to Tracing the von Trapp Family History on FamilySearch

This guide will help you navigate FamilySearch.org to begin researching the von Trapp family history, providing a starting point for further exploration.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open FamilySearch.org: Begin by opening your web browser and navigating to FamilySearch.org.
2. Sign In (or Create a Free Account):
   • If you already have a FamilySearch account, click the Sign In button in the top right corner and enter your username and password.
   • If you don't have an account, click the Create Free Account button and follow the prompts to register.
3. Navigate to the Family Tree: After logging in, hover your mouse over the Family Tree option in the top menu bar. Then, click Tree from the dropdown menu.
4. Search for the von Trapp Family:
   • In the top left corner of the Family Tree screen, you'll see an "Add Person" button with dropdown options.
   • Click on the name of the person that is currently in your main view of your tree. You may need to click the 'Home' button.
   • Look for the "Person Details" tab, which is under the name of the person in your tree. Click "Person Details".
   • On the right side of the screen, you will see a "Search Records" module.
   • Enter the name "von Trapp" and other relevant information, such as location (Austria) or birth year estimates (early 1900s for the children), into the search fields.
   • Click the Search button.
5. Review Search Results:
   • Carefully examine the search results that appear. Look for individuals with the surname "von Trapp" and any associated locations (e.g., Salzburg, Austria) or relatives that match the known history of the family.
   • Pay close attention to dates and places to verify if the records are relevant to the Maria von Trapp family.
6. Explore Individual Records:
   • When you find a promising record, click on the individual's name to view their Person page.
   • Examine all the details available, including vital records (birth, marriage, death), census records, and any associated family members.
   • Evaluate the sources attached to the record to understand the reliability of the information.
7. Add Information to Your Tree (if applicable):
   • If the individual you found is related to your own family tree, or if you wish to create a separate tree for the von Trapp family to explore, you can add the information to your FamilySearch tree.
   • To add the person to your tree, go to the Person page. On the right side, under 'Tools' click on the green 'Family Tree' button.
   • Follow the prompts to link the individual to existing family members or create new branches in your tree.
8. Repeat the Search:
   • Try different search strategies using variations of the name, locations, or relationships to uncover more records.
   • Explore the FamilySearch catalog for records specific to Austria or Salzburg.
9. Consult Additional Resources:
   • Remember that FamilySearch is just one resource. Consider consulting other genealogical websites, historical archives, and books about the von Trapp family to supplement your research.
   • Consult the FamilySearch Wiki for Austria genealogy to understand record availability.

Good luck with your von Trapp family history research!