
The free Mormon genealogy website at FamilySearch.org is a treasure trove for anyone researching their family history.
FamilySearch.org is a non-profit organization that's been helping people discover their roots for over 100 years.
The website offers a vast collection of historical records, including census data, birth and death certificates, and even old newspapers.
With over 7 billion records to search through, you're bound to find something interesting about your ancestors.
To get started, simply create a free account on the website and begin exploring the various databases and tools available.
Using the Website
You can search for records by place, surname, title, author, subject, or by using keywords on FamilySearch. As you type, suggestions will appear below the search box.
The FamilySearch catalog is indexed in a specific way, with U.S. cities listed as “United States, State, County, City.” This makes it easy to find records by location.
You can also search for a record set by its Family History Library (FHL) microfilm number. This can be especially helpful if you know the number of a specific record you're looking for.
FamilySearch allows you to narrow your search by records available online or records only available through a Family History Center. Some records may be restricted and can only be viewed at a Family History Center, due to access restrictions placed by the record’s original custodian.
Is It Really Free?

FamilySearch is indeed free to use, and you won't be asked for credit card information or donations.
Everything on FamilySearch is funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has a strong commitment to families.
You don't have to be a Church member to use the site, and creating a free user account won't prompt the Church to send you religious materials.
However, you will need to create a free FamilySearch user account to maximize access to the site's features.
The only significant caveat is that some collections may require a visit to the FamilySearch Library or a satellite library to view records in person.
You can search the Catalog without logging in, but creating a user account is necessary to search or browse actual records or contribute to the Family Tree.
This functionality allows anyone to search or edit the Family Tree, which can be both a powerful tool for collaboration and a potential source of questionable details.
Tree Strategy

To search the FamilySearch Family Tree, look under the Family Tree tab and click Find. You can enter a name, gender, dates of birth, christening, marriage, death, and/or burial, and family members' names.
To add your relatives to the tree, you can manually enter the information or use "FamilySearch-approved" genealogy software that can reconcile data between the family file on your computer and Family Tree. Programs like Ancestral Quest, Legacy Family Tree, RootsMagic, and MacFamilyTree are compatible with FamilySearch.
Clicking on an icon beside a name in landscape or portrait tree view will give you research help, which includes record hints, research suggestions, and data problems. These will appear in blue, purple, and red, respectively.
Record hints and research suggestions also appear under the Details tab in Person view, allowing you to review and verify possible matches and attach records to personal profiles.
Discover more: Free Data Website
Visit a Center
You can access some records only by visiting a FamilySearch Center in person. These centers have valuable resources, including records in book, microfilm, and microfiche formats.
Staff members at FamilySearch Centers are happy to help you look for records and may know key information about local history and record sets.
Some FamilySearch Centers hold records that can't be accessed online, so it's worth checking what resources they have.
Top Genealogy Sites
FamilySearch is a top choice for researching vital and census records. It's a treasure trove of information that can help you build your family tree.
Find a Grave is a great resource for burial and cemetery research. You can search for specific graves and even add photos and information to help others with their research.
Chronicling America is a database of old newspapers that can provide valuable insights into your ancestors' lives. You can search by location, date, and keyword to find relevant articles.
Ellis Island is a must-visit for anyone researching immigrant ancestors. It's a wealth of information on immigration records, ship manifests, and more.
Hathitrust is a digital library of old books and periodicals that can help you find rare and hard-to-find resources. It's a great place to start your research and expand your knowledge.
Here are some of the top genealogy sites to get you started:
- FamilySearch: best for vital and census records
- Find a Grave: best for burial and cemetery research
- Chronicling America: best for finding old newspapers
- Ellis Island: best for researching immigrant ancestors
- Hathitrust: best for old books and periodicals
Using the Catalog
The FamilySearch catalog is a powerful tool for locating records, and it's surprisingly easy to use. You can search by place, surname, title, author, subject, or by using keywords.
As you type, you'll see suggestions appear below the search box, making it even easier to find what you're looking for. The catalog is indexed in a specific way, with U.S. cities listed as "United States, State, County, City."
You can also search for a record set by its Family History Library (FHL) microfilm number. This can be a lifesaver if you have a specific record in mind.
To narrow your search, you can filter results by records available online or those only available through a Family History Center. Keep in mind that some records are restricted and can only be viewed at a Family History Center due to access restrictions placed by the record's original custodian.
You'll know a record is restricted if you see an icon that looks like a camera with a key next to it in your search results.
Researching Your Family
You can find relatives in the FamilySearch Family Tree, which has been built by over 5 million contributors. This massive tree contains over 1.3 billion personal profiles, with life events, relationships, sources, record images, photos, and memories.
The FamilySearch Family Tree is a single, public tree, where anyone can search for specific ancestors to see what others have already discovered about them. You can also use the FamilySearch website to search for records, which contains more than 8 billion names, 3.2 billion digital images, and almost half a million digitized books.
To start your research, you can do a basic name search to locate records for your ancestor, or use the FamilySearch catalog to locate particular record sets. FamilySearch also offers a Family Tree search strategy, where you can enter a name, gender, dates of birth, christening, marriage, death, and/or burial, and family members' names to find matches.
Once you start building your family tree, you can add relatives and FamilySearch will automatically search its records for matches. You can also use "FamilySearch-approved" genealogy software to reconcile data between the family file on your computer and Family Tree.
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Look for Multiple Types of Records
FamilySearch's database holds all kinds of genealogy records, not just censuses and vital records. Tax records, probates, and passenger lists are also available.
You can filter by name of collection, which often includes record type, from the main search form. This can help you find the specific type of record you're looking for.
FamilySearch contains over 8 billion names, 3.2 billion digital images, and almost half a million digitized books. This massive collection makes it a great resource for genealogy research.
You can browse for records collections by location, so you can see what FamilySearch has in your area. This can be especially helpful if you're researching a specific geographic region.
Over 1 million new records are added each day to FamilySearch's database. This means that new records are being added all the time, so it's a good idea to check back regularly.
Genealogies
The FamilySearch Genealogies collection is a treasure trove of shared family trees. This directory includes oral genealogies, computer-generated trees, one-name-studies, and much more. You can find a variety of family trees in this collection.
FamilySearch has a massive community-based family tree with over 5 million contributors, which is a great resource to learn from. The FamilySearch Family Tree is a single, public tree that promotes full collaboration instead of individual trees.
The Genealogies collection is a great place to start your research, but be aware that you'll need to manually add ancestors to the FamilySearch tree, as they don't allow GEDCOM file uploads. This means you'll need to check if a profile for your ancestor has already been created by someone else before taking this step.
By exploring the Genealogies collection, you can discover new information about your family and connect with others who share your ancestors.
Expand Your Location
Records weren't necessarily kept in the same town in which they were created. Study history to understand where the records you're looking for are currently held, as this might affect where FamilySearch categorizes them.
You can check the FamilySearch Wiki to determine what locations might have the records you're seeking. For example, Austrian archives might hold records from parts of modern Romania as Austria-Hungary controlled western Romania until World War I.
To identify the relevant collections from a region, turn to the Search by Place section on the FamilySearch site's Search page. This will help you find records that might not be directly associated with the town where your ancestors lived.
Remember to also browse for records collections by location on FamilySearch, so you can see what they have in your area. This might lead you to unexpected sources of information.
Accessing Records
Accessing Records on FamilySearch is a breeze, and it's free! You can access microfilmed records from the comfort of your own home.
To find these records, run a Places search under Search>Catalog to locate books and microfilmed records about a specific place. This will help you find records related to the towns, cities, counties, states, and countries where your ancestors lived.
You can also search by surname, but keep in mind that this search covers only surnames mentioned most often in a book, not every name.
Find Microfilmed Records
You can access microfilmed records on FamilySearch from the comfort of your own home if you can't visit the library.
It took years to digitize and index the massive holdings of microfilmed records at FamilySearch's FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City.
To find microfilmed records, run a Places search under Search>Catalog to find books and microfilmed records about a place.
Search on all the towns, cities, counties, states, and countries where your ancestors lived.
You can also search for family histories by running a Surnames search.
Note that this search covers only surnames mentioned most often in a book, not every name.
You can search on multiple terms, such as a surname and a place, but you'll probably have better luck by entering these terms in the Keywords box.
Digitized Books
The FamilySearch Digital Library is a treasure trove of digitized books, with nearly half a million titles available for search.
You can search these books using keyword terms like ancestral names, locations, schools, churches, and businesses connected to your family.
Try searching on a name using the "Any is (exact)" option, which allows you to find matches even if the name is mentioned in a different context.
To view a match, you'll need to download the entire book as a PDF file and then use your PDF reader to search for the term.
Some digitized books can only be viewed in the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch Center, so be sure to check the availability before searching.
You can also search the collections of individual contributing repositories, which can be helpful if your family lived in a specific area, such as Alabama or Texas.
Consider reading: Free Pdf Website
Advanced Features
One of the standout features of the free Mormon genealogy website is the ability to explore family trees. You can search for ancestors and relatives, and even discover new branches of your family that you never knew existed.
The website provides access to a vast collection of historical records, including census data, birth and death certificates, and marriage licenses. This can be a treasure trove for genealogists, allowing them to build a more accurate and comprehensive picture of their family history.
With the website's "Family Tree" feature, you can create your own tree and connect with distant relatives who may be working on the same family lines. This can be a great way to collaborate and share information with others who are researching the same ancestors.
The website's "Record Hints" feature can also be incredibly helpful, suggesting potential matches for your ancestors based on historical records and other data. This can save you a lot of time and effort, and help you make connections that you might have otherwise missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to access Ancestry for free in LDS?
To access Ancestry for free through the LDS Church, sign in to FamilySearch using your Church account username and password, then choose to sign in to Ancestry or create an Ancestry account. This free access allows you to explore Ancestry's vast genealogy resources.
Is FamilySearch a Mormon site?
FamilySearch is a genealogy website funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it's not exclusively for Mormons. It's a free resource for anyone to discover and connect with their family history.
Is there a totally free Ancestry website?
Yes, FamilySearch is the only completely free ancestry website. You can also discover your family's past for free with Findmypast, but with some limitations.
Sources
- https://familytreemagazine.com/websites/familysearch/familysearch-guide/
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/church-members-gain-free-access-to-178-billion-family-history-records
- https://familyhistorydaily.com/genealogy-resources/50-free-genealogy-sites/
- https://www.thefhguide.com/blog/free-genealogy-websites-and-the-family-history-guide/
- https://www.genealogyexplained.com/familysearch-review/
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