Using PBS Genealogy Resources with FamilySearch

Using PBS Genealogy Resources with FamilySearch

This guide will help you connect the information you find on PBS genealogy shows like "Finding Your Roots" to your FamilySearch.org family tree.

Step 1: Locate Relevant Information on the PBS Website

PBS often provides resources related to their genealogy shows, including documents, research notes, and family trees. You need to find the specific information related to your ancestor.

• Use a search engine like Google or Bing to find the PBS website for the specific show (e.g., "Finding Your Roots website").
• Once on the site, search for the episode featuring the individual related to your ancestor.
• Explore any supplementary materials provided for that episode, such as extended interviews, images of documents, or family tree charts.

Step 2: Identify Individuals on FamilySearch

Now, you will search FamilySearch.org to find the person featured on the PBS program who is related to you.

• Log in to your account at FamilySearch.org.
• Click on the "Search" tab at the top of the page.
• Choose the "People" option.
• Enter the name of the individual from the PBS show into the search fields. Be as specific as possible, adding birth year, location, or family members to narrow the results.
• Click the "Search" button.

Step 3: Review and Verify Search Results

Carefully review the search results to find a person who matches the information you gathered from the PBS website. Pay attention to details like birth dates, locations, and family relationships.

• Click on the name of a possible match.
• Examine the person's profile, including their vital information, family members, sources, and memories.
• Compare the information on FamilySearch with the information you found on the PBS website. Look for corroborating evidence, like birthplaces or parents' names.

Step 4: Add New Information to FamilySearch

If the person on FamilySearch matches the individual from the PBS show, add any new information you've learned from the PBS website to the FamilySearch profile.

• On the person's FamilySearch profile, click the "Add Information" button in the appropriate section. This could include:
  • "Add Fact" (for birth, marriage, death, residence, etc.)
  • "Add Source" (to cite the PBS website or a specific document featured on the show).
  • "Add Note" (to summarize the findings from the PBS show).
• Carefully enter the new information and provide a source citation. Be sure to cite the specific episode of the PBS show and, if possible, a direct link to the relevant webpage.
• If the PBS show revealed new family members, use the "Add Parent", "Add Spouse", or "Add Child" options to connect these individuals to the existing FamilySearch profile.

Step 5: Add Sources and Memories

Adding sources and memories helps preserve the information you found and allows others to see where your data came from.

• For sources, make sure to include the full title of the PBS program, the episode title, the date it aired, and a link to the website.
• Consider adding screenshots or transcripts of key segments from the PBS program as "Memories" to the FamilySearch profile. This can visually document the information and make it more accessible to others. Click on the "Memories" tab and then click the "+" button to add a photo, document, or audio file.

By following these steps, you can effectively integrate the valuable information you find on PBS genealogy shows with your FamilySearch.org family tree, strengthening your research and preserving your family history.