Free training · Using FamilySearch · Beginner · 12 min
Let's Start Your Tree
A guided walkthrough for beginning your family tree on FamilySearch
A warm, step-by-step guide to setting up your account and starting your family tree on FamilySearch. Free training from Stuck in the Branches.
What you will learn
- Create and sign in to a FamilySearch account
- Gather the key facts you need for every ancestor
- Start your tree and add your first family members
- Use Helper Resources, hints, and the guided tree tools
The full written guide
Chapter 1. Set up your account
Create a free FamilySearch account and sign in.
Establishing and signing in to a personal account is recommended.
Establishing and signing in to a personal account is recommended.
How to sign up for a FamilySearch account.
How to sign up. On the front page, the Sign Up option appears in the upper right corner. Pick the type of account you want to use. If you already have a Church account, sign in with it instead. Then complete the remaining steps.
Chapter 2. Gather your information
The five facts you need for every ancestor, and how to collect them.
First step: gather your information.
The first step is to gather your information.
The five pieces of information that matter for every ancestor.
The five pieces of information that matter for every ancestor: full name, birth date, birthplace, marriage date and place, and death date and place.
What to ask when gathering family information.
What to ask. Start with the basic personal information, then work outward to parents, siblings, grandparents, spouses, children, and where your family originally came from.
Genealogy forms: individual record and family group sheet.
Use genealogy forms to keep track of what you collect. You can use an Individual Genealogy Record, or a Family Group Sheet.
Come prepared with your notes and documents.
Come prepared with your notes and your documents.
Let's start your tree.
Let's start your tree.
Chapter 3. Start your tree
Launch the tree builder and add your first family members.
When you have your information, launch FamilySearch and start your tree.
When you have your information: launch FamilySearch. Scroll through the homepage until the prompt appears, Build the branches of your own family tree. Then select Start Your Tree.
Make your family tree for free with the automated builder.
Make your family tree for free. Get started with the automated family tree builder, watch your tree grow, and make family heritage discoveries. Click Start My Tree.
Let's get started: the first five steps.
Let's get started. Select Start My Tree. Use the on-screen guidance to provide your sex and name, your birth details, and details for your mother and father. Then supply the names and essential details for each of your ancestors.
Your tree will begin to look like this.
It will begin to look like this.
Other ways to start your tree.
There are also other ways to start your tree.
Chapter 4. Help, hints and the guided tree
Where the built-in help lives and how the guided tree walks you through it.
Finding help and Helper Resources.
Look in the upper right-hand corner for the question mark in a circle, then click it. Under Help, in the bottom right-hand corner, click Helper Resources.
Click on Learning Resources.
Click on Learning Resources.
Get Started, then Build Your Family Tree.
Click on Get Started. Then click on Build Your Family Tree.
Follow each step, then click Try It.
Follow each step, then click Try It. Start with your parents and add living and deceased relatives as far back as you can. Information about living people is kept private.
Connect to the community Family Tree.
Connect to the community Family Tree. As you add names, we'll look for matches. If your deceased grandmother is already in the tree, we'll find her and make the connection.
Watch for record hints.
Watch for record hints. As you add deceased ancestors, FamilySearch searches historical records for matches. When it finds one, you'll see a blue hint icon.
Chapter 5. Another way in
The printable, step-by-step route if you prefer paper.
Considering an alternative method.
Considering an alternative method. Go back to Family History Lessons and Resources, then click Center Coordinators and Temple and Family History Leaders and consultants. The Guided Tree offers the choice of viewing the instructional video or printing a copy of the instructions.
Printable written instructions provided in sequential steps.
Printable written instructions are provided in sequential steps, as an example you can follow and share.
Chapter 6. Wrap up
You have a tree. Here is what to do next.
You have started your family tree. Explore more free guides at Stuck in the Branches.
That's it. You've started your family tree. Take your time, one branch at a time. When you're ready for more, explore the other free guides, and reach out any time you'd like a hand with your research.