FamilySearch Tree

Rating: 4.5	Downloads: 5,000,000+
Category: Books & Reference	Offer by: FamilySearch International

FamilySearch Tree is a free web and mobile application from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints designed to help people organize and manage family history information systematically. It allows users to import data from various sources, build a chronological life story for their ancestors, and track sources for greater accuracy and reliability, primarily serving genealogical researchers and families interested in exploring their roots.

Its key value lies in facilitating collaborative research. The ability to link records, submissions, and notes within a central digital ‘tree’ streamlines the often complex process of genealogical discovery, making historical research more accessible and less prone to individual errors over time.

App Features

• Central Repository for Sources: This feature acts as a single location for storing all sources, documents, and evidence related to your family tree. It benefits users by eliminating duplicate work and ensuring everyone collaborating has access to accurate information, significantly speeding up the verification process.
• Built-in Timeline with Insights: FamilySearch Tree integrates a timeline for individuals and incorporates relationship insights automatically. This includes suggesting places where an ancestor likely lived or proposing possible parents based on age. These automated features save considerable research time by providing instant context and helping users fill gaps in their family narratives.
• Ancestor Detail Pages: Each significant ancestor in your public family tree has a dedicated detail page, complete with a portrait, life events, sources, citations, and notes, as well as features like ‘Pedigree’ and ‘Family Group’. This allows users, especially beginners, to easily learn more about specific ancestors and provides a structured way to visualize connections within their research.
• Compatibility with Digital Sources: The app supports importing and linking directly with public record sources available on platforms like FamilySearch.org as well as major third-party tools like Ancestry.com. This interoperability is invaluable for users dealing with large datasets, letting them leverage existing online resources to speed up their discovery process.
• Built-in Citation Tracking: Every fact or place entered into a person’s record can be linked directly to a source document. For serious researchers, this robust citation feature ensures everything adheres to professional genealogical standards, preventing assumptions from passing as facts and helping substantiate claims when sharing findings or preparing reports.
• Contribution and Collaboration Tools: Users can review pending changes made by others and submit reviews if they believe corrections are needed for publicly viewed information. This advanced, optional feature upholds data integrity within the collective FamilySearch database, making it a powerful tool for maintaining widespread research collaboration and accuracy.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Lifelong Learning Resource
• Seamless Integration with Other FamilySearch Tools
• Powerful Source Citation Features
• Built-in Timeline Assistance

Cons:

• Interface may feel complex to some beginners requiring tutorials
• Web version depends on reliable internet connectivity
• Limited editing capabilities on mobile devices compared to web
• Some advanced features are only available in the higher tier subscription package

Similar Apps

App Name	Highlights
Ancestry.com	Offers extensive historical records and DNA testing alongside organized tree functions. Features a personalized user experience and subscription tiers for accessing unique content and tools.
FindMyPast	Specializes in international archives from the UK, Ireland, Australia, etc. Its standard ‘Build a Family Tree’ tool shares some basic concepts.
Legacy Family Tree	The industry standard desktop software with exceptionally advanced features. Its online companion site offers a simpler web-based tree functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is FamilySearch Tree completely free to use for everyone?
A: The core features of FamilySearch Tree, including viewing, searching, and basic collaboration on the Family Tree, are available online for free. More advanced editing tools, private sharing capabilities, and full import/export options require a paid subscription.

Q: Can I edit information and relationships in the public FamilySearch Tree?
A: You can propose changes, like fixing a date or location, using your profile. If it’s significant, a reviewer may check it. Regular contributions help improve the timeline of everyone’s tree. Changes to your own or your family’s details usually default to being visible to the public.

Q: Does using FamilySearch Tree connect me with other people’s research? For example, if I’m researching ancestors everyone else is also researching, will I see that?
A: Absolutely! Through ancestor detail pages and media links, you see work from many contributors. This collaboration helps verify details without assumptions. You can subscribe to specific ancestors or individuals to track edit history and see what others are discovering.

Q: Can I use FamilySearch Tree offline or are there storage limits on mobile devices?
A: The mobile app primarily relies on the FamilySearch website for data, however, you can work within the local cache on your mobile device with limitations. Newer app versions improve offline capabilities slightly, but based on the device’s available storage space.

Q: What happens to my private FamilySearch Tree if I let my subscription expire?
A: If your subscription expires, you can still view and manage your personal private family tree data. However, you lose all access to source records (images), privileged ancestor detail information (like extended timelines or confirmations), and collaborative tools associated with the higher plan until you renew.

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