Project 4: Discover

Note : Be sure to verify information in a genealogy tree before adding it to your line in FamilySearch.

1. In the Search menu, choose Genealogies.
2. In the Search menu, click Genealogies. These are collections of family trees and histories that people have submitted to FamilySearch.
3. Fill in the search fields and click Search to look for ancestors in Genealogies. You can also tap More Options for additional search fields.
4. To search for a specific tree, scroll down and use the keyword search field. Other record search options include View All Trees, Community Trees, Oral Genealogies, and many others.
5. If you want to submit a family tree (GEDCOM file) to the Genealogies collection,
   a) Click Upload Your Individual Tree;
   b) Click Add GEDCOM;
   d) Navigate to your GEDCOM file and click Upload.

Resources

1. Learn about genealogies available from FamilySearch.
   
   FS—How do I search the Pedigree Resource File and other genealogies? - 2024
   RIV—FamilySearch Genealogies and Books—3 pgs. - 2018
   


2. Learn more about the Genealogies feature.
   
   RT—Discovering Genealogies on FamilySearch—3:21 - 2021
   
   
   RT—How to Find Ancestors in FamilySearch Genealogies—18:05 - 2022
   
   
3. These articles provide an overview of GEDCOM files and how they are handled.
   
   TH—Genealogy GEDCOM 101 - 2019
   FS—What happens to information uploaded from a GEDCOM file? - 2024


4. Learn more about Community and Partner Trees that are available for searching.
   
   FS—Community Trees: A Reliable Resource for Genealogy Breakthroughs - 2021
   


5. Learn how to extend your research using compiled genealogies.
   
   BYU—Enhance Your Research Using Compiled Genealogies—47:56 - 2025
   
   

The FamilySearch Catalog contains additional records that may be helpful in your searches. There are other online catalogs as well that can prove useful.

1. In FamilySearch, click the Search menu and choose Catalog.
2. To learn more about the Catalog, click "Learn How to Use the Catalog" or "See Tips and Resources".
3. Type what you are looking for, such as a Place (default), Keyword, Title, Author, Subject, or Surname. You can also search for a library call number or microfilm number.
4. Select Any to search physical and online items, or Online to search only for online records, and click Search.
5. To see items available at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake, click Browse the Library Catalog (bottom).
6. To learn more about using the FamilySearch Catalog, click Learn How to Use the Catalog (left side).
7. For FamilySearch Catalog tips and resource articles, click See Tips and Resources (left side).
8. Learn about call numbers and notes used in the Catalog.
   
   FS—What are call numbers? - 2025
   FS—What are Notes or Film/Digital Notes in the catalog? - 2025

1. In the Search menu, click Books to explore the FamilySearch Digital Library.
2. Type a keyword to searh for. You can also use the Advanced Search option for additional search fields, or tap View Search Tips for suggestions.
3. Click Search.
4. To learn more about the Digital Library, scroll down and click Library Overview.

Resources

1. Here are additional steps for finding books on FamilySearch.
   
   FS—How do I find a digitized book in the FamilySearch Digital Library? - 2025


2. Learn about books available from FamilySearch (see page 3).
   
   RIV—FamilySearch Genealogies and Books - 2018


3. Learn methods for searching online books effectively.
   
   FS—A Better System for Searching Books - 2019


4. Explore online biographies. See this FamilySearch Wiki article for resources.
   
   FS—U.S. Biography


5. Learn about using the FamilySearch Digital Library for online books.
   
   FS—Is Your Family in the Updated Digital Library? - 2019
   BYU—Books on FamilySearch—28:03 - 2019
   
   
   


6. Learn about additional resources in the FamilySearch Digital Library.
   
   BYU—Finding Your Ancestors in the Updated FamilySearch Digital Library—51:58 - 2022   
   • What is the FamilySearch Digital Library?
   • Advantages of the Digital Library
   • Where is it?
   
   
   
   

This feature helps you search images in FamilySearch collections that are online but not yet indexed. Searches are done by location, not by name.

1. In the Search menu, click Image-Only Records. These are online records that have not yet been indexed, so they cannot be searched by a person's name.
2. Type a place name to look for.
3. To include a life event, date or other information in the search, click More Options.
4. Click Search.
5. For tips on working with historical images, read the section at the bottom of the page.

Resources

1. For additional information on using historical images, read these articles.
   
   FS—How do I use the "Explore Historical Images" feature? - 2025
   FS—Searching Digital-Image-Only Collections - 2019


2. Learn how to understand and use search results from historical images.
   
   FS—How to understand your search results in FamilySearch Explore Images - 2025
   BYU—FamilySearch Historical Image Search—12:34 - 2020
   
   
   
3. Learn more about searching Historical Images in this video.
   
   RT—Searching FamilySearch Record Images that Haven't Been Transcribed—32:16 - 2023
   
   
   


4. This article compares the features in Historical Images and the FamilySearch Catalog.
   
   FL—Finding Your Family in FamilySearch Images - 2022

1. In the Search menu at the top of the screen, choose Wiki.
2. Type a location or topic in the Search bar and click Go; or click an area on the world map at the right to search by region.

Resources

1. For additional tips on using the FamilySearch Wiki for research, read the article and watch the video.
   
   RIV—Finding Ancestors Using the Research Wiki—4 pgs. - 2019
   BYU—The Research Wiki—34:12 - 2016
   
   
   


2. Here is some additional information on using the FamilySearch Wiki for research.
   
   FS—How do I search the FamilySearch Research Wiki? - 2024

1. In the Search menu, tap Full-Text Search. This enables you to search for text inside unindexed historical records.
2. To do a Simple Search, type or speak the text you are looking for. If you are at a FamilySearch center or affiliate library, you can tap "Include limited access content".
3. For more search options, tap Advanced Search and fill in additional search criteria.
4. Tap Search.
5. For help, tap Search Tips (lower right) or scroll down the page to see additional suggestions.
6. Tap Search.
7. Learn more about full-text search in these videos.
   
   FS—What is FamilySearch's Full-Text Search? - 2025
   FS—How To Find Your Ancestors with Full-Text Search - 2026

Note: The Cemeteries feature finds people whose cemetery information has been entered into FamilySearch.

1. In the Search menu click Cemeteries.
2. To search by cemetery, type the location or site name for the cemetery and select it from the list. The following options are available:
   • Use the "people found" list—Browse the alphabetical list. You can click a Person link, or "Add Gravesite" to mark a cemetery location.
   • Find someone in this site—Type a name and press Enter. You can also use Refine Search to change search criteria.
   • Add Person—Click "Add Person" and fill in name information. Then click Next and click "Add Match" for the correct person to add.
   • Only show my relatives—Click that button to filter the list to just your relatives, if applicable.
   • Site information and links (left side)—Explore information about the cemetery you selected, or vist other websites.
   • Results per page—Set the number of name results to appear on each screen. You can use the Page feature (lower right) to advance pages.
3. To search by name in the main Cemeteries screen, type a name in Person's Full Name and click Search. You can also leave the name field blank, select "My Relatives" and click Search. This displays a list of all cemeteries with ancestors that have corresponding FamilySearch information. You can also select the "Site Type" filter to focus on historic sites, memorials, or monuments.
4. To zoom in on cemetery locations on a map for all Family Tree people with the name you selected, click Map View (upper left). You can click List View (upper left) to return to the previous view.

1. In the Search menu, click Newspapers. This enables you to search for online records in NewspaperArchive.com.
2. Type entries in the Names fields, and the Narrow by Location fields (optional).
3. For more search options, click More Options and fill in additional search criteria (Keywords and Narrow by Year).
4. Click Search. The results will appear on the NewspaperArchives.com website.


5. For additional help with newspaper research, scroll down in the FamilySearch page.