Beginner

START WITH WHAT YOU KNOW

The FamilySearch family tree is a tree of all humanity. You will create a new branch of the tree about your family and then connect it with the tree of all humanity. Starting with your parents, add living and deceased relatives as far back as you can. A quick phone call or text to an older relative might help you fill in some gaps. Once you enter an ancestor that is already in the tree of humanity FamilySearch will show you how to connect.

Tip: Don’t worry about adding living individuals as you make your way back to the deceased. All information about living people is kept private.

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

Activities you can do in 5 Minutes

If you want to do family history, but you have very limited time, you can accomplish significant tasks in just 5 minutes a day. 2018 RootsTech presenter Deborah Gamble shared 20 five-minute activities with attendees that they can use to make progress.

1. Create a FamilySearch account

2. Add living people to your family tree

3. Upload a photo to FamilySearch Memories

4. Upload a picture to Ancestry

5. Upload photos to FamilySearch from Facebook, Instagram, or Google Photos.

6. Tag a photo on FamilySearch memories

7. Record a personal memory on FamilySearch

8. Prepare yourself to do a family history interview by visiting the FamilySearch wiki.

9. Create short videos

10. Convert a video file to audio and add it in FamilySearch Memories.

11. Complete a FamilySearch Recommended Task

12. Attach an Ancestry source to FamilySearch using Record Seek.

13. Upload a FamilySearch tree to Ancestry

14. Address a Shaky Leaf hint of Ancestry

15. Attach Ancestry sources for an individual to FamilySearch

16. Watch a short family history from the LDS Media Library

17. Plan a visit to the FamilySearch Center

18. Search records on FamilySearch

19. Mail copies of photos for identification purposes

20. Print a family group record for a non-online family member to review

Below are step-by-step directions for each of the 20 activities.

1. Create account

Create a FamilySearch account

a. Go to FamilySearch.org, and click Create Account in the upper right corner of the page.

b. Select an identity provider or follow the process to create an account:

c. At the end click DONE.

Watch a demo below.

2. ADD PEOPLE TO YOUR FAMILY TREE

a. At FamilySearch > Tree, enter living people in your ancestor line manually (first your parents, followed by grandparents, etc.) by clicking + Add Husband or + Add Wife, as appropriate.

b. When you reach the first deceased person in your line, the system will help you search for a possible pre-existing record in FamilySearch before creating them manually.

c. After clicking the + Add link, be sure to set the status as Deceased, and ensure you use a standardized birth date and birthplace (look for the green checkmark). If you find your deceased relative from the resulting list, select Add Match, otherwise create manually.

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

3. Upload a photo to FamilySearch Memories

iOS step-by-step

i. Memories app > tap green “+” > Add Photo > tap image (image will be faded with green checkmark) > Upload > Save

Android step-by-step

i. Memories app > tap green “+” > Add Photo > Select from Gallery > tap image > Save

Desktop computer step-by-step

i. Go to https://www.familysearch.org/photos/ > Add Memories > click green “+” > Choose Files > click desired picture > Open

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

4. Upload a photo to ancestry

iOS step-by-step

i. Ancestry app > Tap on a person in your tree > View Profile >tap the pink or blue picture icon > Upload from Device > choose location in Photos > tap desired photo > enter title, date, location, description (enter photo credit details), and check Use as primary photo box, if desired > Add

Android step-by-step

i. Ancestry app > Tap on a person in your tree > tap the pink or blue picture icon on their details page > Choose from device > choose location in Gallery > tap desired photo > enter title, date, location, description (enter photo credit details), and check Use as primary photo box, if desired > Save

Desktop computer step-by-step

i. Go to https://www.ancestry.com/ > Trees > select desired tree > click person in tree > Profile > Gallery > Upload Media > Choose Files > navigate to folder with pictures > click on desired pictures > Open > Done > click on photo image > in Comments enter photo credit and other relevant details

Watch a demo. Click the link to the right.

www.youtube.com/shorts/yETq3Ekv1IE

5. DOWNLOAD/ UPLOAD photos to FamilySearch

This is a two-step process. First, save a photo from your social media app. Second, upload the photo to FamilySearch Memories.

iOS step-by-step

i. Facebook app > see a desired picture in your feed > tap the desired photo > click triple horizontal dots in upper right > Save Photo

Android step-by-step

i. Facebook app > see a desired picture in your feed > tap the desired photo > click triple vertical dots in upper right > Save Photo

Desktop computer step-by-step

i. Go to https://www.facebook.com/ > see a desired picture in your feed > click the desired photo > Options (in lower right of photo) > Download

d. Don’t forget to take note include proper photo credit when uploading the photo in FamilySearch or Ancestry

Step 1 SAVE PHOTO

STEP 2 UPLOAD TO MEMORIES

6. Tag a photo on FamilySearch memories

iOS step-by-step

i. Memories app > tap desired photo > tap Person+ icon > click and drag highlighted circle to center the image, as desired, click Add Name and begin typing name of person, select person from resulting list > Done > click Add a Title and enter details, as desired, including photo credit > Save

Android step-by-step

i. Memories app > tap desired photo > tap tag+ icon > click and drag highlighted circle to center the image, as desired, click Add Name and begin typing name of person, select person from resulting list > Done > click Add a Title and enter details, as desired, including photo credit > Save

Desktop computer step-by-step

i. Go to https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery > click the desired photo > click a face on the image to tag someone > move the highlighted circle to center the image, as desired > begin typing person’s name and select the correct name from the resulting list > enter details such as date, event, description (include photo credit) > add Comments

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

7. record a personal memory on FamilySearch

iOS and Android step-by-step

i. Memories app > tap microphone icon > tap green “+” > Record Audio > Choose a topic (optional) > Begin Recording > tap green microphone > record voice as the memory is shared > tap the green Done checkmark > enter a title if you did not choose a topic > Save

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

8. Prepare yourself to do a family history interview by visiting the FamilySearch wiki

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

9. CREATE short videos

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

10. Convert a video file to audio

Use Video to MP3 converter app to extract video on phone

For example, app by accountlab for Android

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

11. Complete a FamilySearch Recommended Task

iOS step-by-step

i. Family Tree app > tap √ Tasks icon (on bottom bar) > tap a blue Record Hints Available icon > tap the Record Hint > Review > compare details and decide if this record belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, tap the blue paper clip > Attach for each person on the record, adding any new information > tap the “X” in the upper left

Android step-by-step

i. Family Tree app > tap 3 bar button in upper left > Ancestors with Tasks > tap a blue Record Hints Available icon > tap the Record Hint > Review > compare details and decide if this record belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, tap the blue paper clip > Attach for each person on the record, adding any new information > tap the “X” in the upper left

Desktop computer step-by-step

i. Go to https://www.familysearch.org/ > Look for the Recommended Tasks section with the red bar > Click a blue Record Hints Available icon > Click down arrow > compare details and decide if this record belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, select Review and Attach (if not, select Dismiss) > Click Compare > Attach for each person on the record, adding any new information > Return to Record

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

12. Attach an Ancestry source to FamilySearch using Record Seek

Go to https://recordseek.com/ > drag the RecordSeek button to your browser’s bookmark bar > while viewing a record on ancestry.com, highlight the key data, click the RecordSeek button on the bookmark bar > click FamilySearch > click Tag this Source to Events and checkmark events confirmed by the record > Close > note Title, Source, Citation, and Notes are auto-populated > Next > enter the Person ID from FamilySearch for the person to whom you wish to attach this record in the final box > Next > enter a reason to attach this source to that person > Create & Attach

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

13. Upload a FamilySearch tree to Ancestry

Go to https://www.ancestry.com/ > Trees > Create & Manage Trees > Import tree from FamilySearch > Sign In to FamilySearch as prompted > Name Your Family Tree > Save > Continue

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

14. Address a Shaky Leaf hint @Ancestry

iOS step-by-step

i. Ancestry app > Hints (on bottom bar) > tap on a Record (or Photo, Story, Member Tree) > compare details and decide if the hint belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, tap Yes > Details > choose facts to add to the person’s profile (green checkmarks) > Save

Android step-by-step

i. Ancestry app > tap the 3 bar button in upper left > Hints > tap on a Record (or Photo, Story, Member Tree) > compare details and decide if the hint belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, tap Yes > select different or new information you wish to add to the person’s profile (green radio button and green checkmarks) > Save

Desktop computer step-by-step

i. Go to https://www.ancestry.com/ > View people with hints > Review > compare details and decide if this hint belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, click Yes > use checkboxes to add new or different information to the person’s profile > Save to Your Tree

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

15. Attach Ancestry sources for an individual to FamilySearch

Go to https://www.ancestry.com/ > Trees > navigate to an ancestor > click on Profile > note the FamilySearch icon link in the upper right-hand corner > Sign In to FamilySearch as prompted > select the appropriate person from FamilySearch in the resulting list, or select Find match by FamilySearch ID and enter the FamilySearch Person ID > Connect Person > note the blue checkmark now next to the FamilySearch icon link in the upper right-hand corner

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

16. Watch a short family history from the LDS Media Library

Go to https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/family-history/5-minute-genealogy?lang=eng where the LDS Media Library has 20 short videos (5-minutes or less) that offer helpful instruction in a concise format.

Link to the Church video library

17. Plan a visit to the FamilySearch Center

Our FamilySearch Center is located at the Stake Center 500 Norcross St, Roswell, GA. It will help if you have a FamilySearch Account before you visit (but you can set up an account when you get there.) There are many things you can do there. One popular activity for youth is to look up their parent's photos in the on-line high school yearbooks. It's a good idea to call ahead (770-594-1706) so we can expect you. Please come with a specific goal in mind.

Link for Roswell FamilySearch Center hours and directions

18. Search records on FamilySearch

iOS step-by-step

i. Family Tree app > navigate to a person in the tree > tap the horizontal triple dots in the upper right-hand corner > Search Records > tap FamilySearch > tap on a record > compare details and decide if this hint belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, tap Attach to Family Tree > tap the blue paper clip > Attach for each person on the record, adding any new information > tap the back arrow in the upper left-hand corner

Android step-by-step

i. Family Tree app > navigate to a person in the tree > tap the vertical triple dots in the upper right-hand corner > Search Records > tap FamilySearch > tap on a record > compare details and decide if this hint belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, tap Attach to Family Tree > tap the blue paper clip > Attach for each person on the record, adding any new information > tap the back button

Desktop computer step-by-step

i. Go to https://www.familysearch.org/ > Family Tree > Tree > navigate to a person in the tree > click on their name > click Person to go to their details page > Search Records > FamilySearch > click View the record details icon > compare details and decide if this hint belongs to this person in your tree > if it is a match, click Attach to Family Tree > click the blue Compare paper clip > Attach for each person on the record, adding any new information > Return to Record > Go To: Search Results

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

19. Mail copies of photos for identification purposes

Photocopy pictures with unidentified people and mail the paper copy and a stamped return envelope to a non-online relative for identification.

20. Print a family group record

iOS step-by-step

i. Family Tree app > navigate to a person in the tree > on their Person page, tap the triple horizontal dots in the upper right-hand corner > More > Charts > tap Family PDF > on the PDF image page, tap the triple horizontal dots in the upper right-hand corner > Share > Print (to a connected wireless printer)

Android step-by-step

i. Family Tree app > navigate to a person in the tree > on their Person page tap the Charts tab > tap Family > note the chart downloads to your device: Download has started > swipe down from the top of the phone to see the Download manager results > tap FamilySearch Family Chart - download complete > > on the PDF image page, tap the triple vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner > Print

Desktop computer step-by-step

i. Go to https://www.familysearch.org/ > Family Tree > Tree > navigate to a person in the tree > click on their name > click Person to go to their details page > Print > Family > at the resulting PDF document, click Print icon

Watch a demo. Click the video to the right.

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