Filtering Full Text Search Results on FamilySearch Step-by-step
A step-by-step guide to finding the best results on FamilySearch. Where to start, a demonstration of the options for filtering your results, and how the results might be different.
A step-by-step guide to finding the best results on FamilySearch. Where to start, a demonstration of the options for filtering your results, and how the results might be different.
Stop struggling with faded, unreadable documents on FamilySearch! Most researchers overlook the powerful tools hidden right in the image viewer—tools that can instantly reveal impossible-to-read handwriting and save you hours of scrolling.
In this video, you will learn how to manipulate images to make faint ink pop and navigate massive record collections with speed. Don’t let a bad scan hide your ancestor. Master these essential features to improve your accuracy, speed up your workflow, and finally break through those stubborn genealogy brick walls. Watch now to see what you’ve been missing!
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Author’s Note: I want to be transparent that this material – DESC Tech Tip – FamilySearch Image Tools – was created in part with the help of an artificial intelligence (AI) language model – Gemini Pro 3. The AI assisted in generating an early draft of the article, but every paragraph was subsequently reviewed, edited, and refined by me. The final content is the result of extensive human curation and creativity. I am proud to present this work and assure readers that while AI was a tool in the process, the story, style, and substance have been carefully shaped by the author.
Stop struggling with faded, unreadable documents on FamilySearch! Most researchers overlook the powerful tools hidden right in the image viewer—tools that can instantly reveal impossible-to-read handwriting and save you hours of scrolling.
In this video, you will learn how to manipulate images to make faint ink pop and navigate massive record collections with speed. Don’t let a bad scan hide your ancestor. Master these essential features to improve your accuracy, speed up your workflow, and finally break through those stubborn genealogy brick walls. Watch now to see what you’ve been missing!
* * *
Author’s Note: I want to be transparent that this material – DESC Tech Tip – FamilySearch Image Tools – was created in part with the help of an artificial intelligence (AI) language model – Gemini Pro 3. The AI assisted in generating an early draft of the article, but every paragraph was subsequently reviewed, edited, and refined by me. The final content is the result of extensive human curation and creativity. I am proud to present this work and assure readers that while AI was a tool in the process, the story, style, and substance have been carefully shaped by the author.
En esta clase presentaremos diferentes maneras de buscar eficazmente para poder encontrar a nuestros antepasados escondidos en los registros históricos de FamilySearch.
En esta clase presentaremos diferentes maneras de buscar eficazmente para poder encontrar a nuestros antepasados escondidos en los registros históricos de FamilySearch.
Cómo utilizar la Nueva Búsquedas de Texto en FamilySearch
La búsqueda de texto completo es una nueva y emocionante forma de encontrar información en más de 100 millones de registros históricos que no han sido indexados, utilizando tecnología que lee el texto de las imágenes. ¡Sácale todo el partido!
La búsqueda de texto completo es una nueva y emocionante forma de encontrar información en más de 100 millones de registros históricos que no han sido indexados, utilizando tecnología que lee el texto de las imágenes. ¡Sácale todo el partido!
Secrets for Success: How to Harness the Power of FamilySearch’s Full-Text Search
Learn what FamilySearch’s full-text search capability can do for you! This class will provide you with tips and tricks for making the most of this innovation in genealogical research. We’ll cover various ways to search, how to use wildcards and other tools, ways to filter your results, how to read and save images and transcriptions, and what to do with the information you find in the records.
Learn what FamilySearch’s full-text search capability can do for you! This class will provide you with tips and tricks for making the most of this innovation in genealogical research. We’ll cover various ways to search, how to use wildcards and other tools, ways to filter your results, how to read and save images and transcriptions, and what to do with the information you find in the records.
FamilySearch Full Text Search: Why aren’t you using it?
FamilySearch full text search is currently in a beta testing phase that is open to the public. FamilySearch has offered this service for free on a select but large set of records. Learn how to activate this feature, utilize it, and reap the benefits of new tech!
FamilySearch full text search is currently in a beta testing phase that is open to the public. FamilySearch has offered this service for free on a select but large set of records. Learn how to activate this feature, utilize it, and reap the benefits of new tech!
FamilySearch Catalog: The Sears Christmas Catalog for Genealogists
Did you mark your wish list in the Sears Christmas catalog as a child? FamilySearch Catalog lists everything available in the FamilySearch Library. Many of these items are also available online, at FamilySearch Centers and Affiliated Libraries. Items include books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications. This session will go through the steps on how to search by location, surname, title, author, subject, or keywords, and combinations of these. Learn to find where the items are located and what type of media they are stored in. Search online in film images, and adjust their image or zoom in and out. When you find records for your research, mark each to view later in a to-do list of items which may be printed to the library when you got in person. See how the FamilySearch Wiki will help find records for an area anywhere. Just like the Christmas Catalog had something for every member of the family, this catalog has something for everyone, no matter where you are researching.
Did you mark your wish list in the Sears Christmas catalog as a child? FamilySearch Catalog lists everything available in the FamilySearch Library. Many of these items are also available online, at FamilySearch Centers and Affiliated Libraries. Items include books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications. This session will go through the steps on how to search by location, surname, title, author, subject, or keywords, and combinations of these. Learn to find where the items are located and what type of media they are stored in. Search online in film images, and adjust their image or zoom in and out. When you find records for your research, mark each to view later in a to-do list of items which may be printed to the library when you got in person. See how the FamilySearch Wiki will help find records for an area anywhere. Just like the Christmas Catalog had something for every member of the family, this catalog has something for everyone, no matter where you are researching.
Have you enjoyed a unified effort in which you accomplished so much more with the help of others than you could ever have done alone? The cooperation, connection, and associations that result from such unified effort also established a protection to the results that were unexpected. Join Karen Clifford as she shares a ten-year experiment using the Collaborate tool at FamilySearch to shine a light on selected ancestors, and help to attract unknown, yet later proven relatives to our common family tree. See how the partnership between FamilySearch, and MyHeritage opened the previously closed door to a new generation.
Have you enjoyed a unified effort in which you accomplished so much more with the help of others than you could ever have done alone? The cooperation, connection, and associations that result from such unified effort also established a protection to the results that were unexpected. Join Karen Clifford as she shares a ten-year experiment using the Collaborate tool at FamilySearch to shine a light on selected ancestors, and help to attract unknown, yet later proven relatives to our common family tree. See how the partnership between FamilySearch, and MyHeritage opened the previously closed door to a new generation.
Genealogists can work together using the FamilySearch Family Tree, WikiTree, and Geni. Learn the differences among them and the best practices for each.
Genealogists can work together using the FamilySearch Family Tree, WikiTree, and Geni. Learn the differences among them and the best practices for each.
Prepping for and Researching at the FamilySearch Library
The FamilySearch Library is the premier destination for genealogists. Researchers from around the world flock to Salt Lake City to discover and connect with their ancestors in the world’s largest genealogy library. The FamilySearch Library boasts more than 600,000 books, tens of thousands of historical maps and published pedigrees, and hundreds of workstations where visitors can access dozens of subscription sites. The best kept secret of the library is its incredible mix of volunteer and paid staff that have been specifically trained to help you in your research and how to help you take full advantage of the library’s resources. Whether you are a novice or a professional there is something for everyone at the FamilySearch Library.
The FamilySearch Library is the premier destination for genealogists. Researchers from around the world flock to Salt Lake City to discover and connect with their ancestors in the world’s largest genealogy library. The FamilySearch Library boasts more than 600,000 books, tens of thousands of historical maps and published pedigrees, and hundreds of workstations where visitors can access dozens of subscription sites. The best kept secret of the library is its incredible mix of volunteer and paid staff that have been specifically trained to help you in your research and how to help you take full advantage of the library’s resources. Whether you are a novice or a professional there is something for everyone at the FamilySearch Library.
Searching for your ancestor in unindexed records is now possible thanks to the new Full-Text Search. Join Geoff Rasmussen for a brief demo of what he found during his first uses of this new tool from FamilySearch Labs.
Searching for your ancestor in unindexed records is now possible thanks to the new Full-Text Search. Join Geoff Rasmussen for a brief demo of what he found during his first uses of this new tool from FamilySearch Labs.
Government for the People: Leveraging Freedom of Information Laws to Procure Novel Records
Wed, March 11 2026: 18:00 UTC
This lecture will explain Freedom of Information Laws, and what genealogists can do with them. A variety of jurisdictions and case studies will be discussed.
This lecture will explain Freedom of Information Laws, and what genealogists can do with them. A variety of jurisdictions and case studies will be discussed.
From Research to Data with AI 1 of 5: From Records to Raw Data—Extracting with AI
Thu, March 12 2026: 0:00 UTC
Use AI to extract, clean, organise, and analyse your family history research. Intermediate level, focused on workflows and data handling; ideal for users managing large research projects; activities include table-building, clustering, and data cleaning.
Use AI to extract, clean, organise, and analyse your family history research. Intermediate level, focused on workflows and data handling; ideal for users managing large research projects; activities include table-building, clustering, and data cleaning.
La plupart des généalogistes n’exploitent pas pleinement tous les indices disponibles dans les annuaires municipaux. Apprenez à aller au-delà d’une simple « recherche » de vos ancêtres et de leur famille. Comprenez comment les annuaires municipaux ont été créés, les secrets des différentes abréviations et comment utiliser l’approche F.A.N. Club pour obtenir le plus d’informations possible. Ce webinaire fait partie du séminaire de généalogie MyHeritage d’une journée, diffusé en direct depuis le siège de MyHeritage à Or Yehuda, en Israël.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
La plupart des généalogistes n’exploitent pas pleinement tous les indices disponibles dans les annuaires municipaux. Apprenez à aller au-delà d’une simple « recherche » de vos ancêtres et de leur famille. Comprenez comment les annuaires municipaux ont été créés, les secrets des différentes abréviations et comment utiliser l’approche F.A.N. Club pour obtenir le plus d’informations possible. Ce webinaire fait partie du séminaire de généalogie MyHeritage d’une journée, diffusé en direct depuis le siège de MyHeritage à Or Yehuda, en Israël.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
Northumberland and Durham, in the extreme north-east corner of England, are often united when discussing family history. Our ancestors moved easily back and forth across the River Tyne, to live and work, connected by the City of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on the boundary. Discover the key resources and how to locate them in the various archives covering the two counties. Learn how to effectively use the catalogues and finding aids, see what is available online or what can only be accessed in archives or libraries. Also learn about what records are different and unique to these two counties and are really helpful in your research.
Northumberland and Durham, in the extreme north-east corner of England, are often united when discussing family history. Our ancestors moved easily back and forth across the River Tyne, to live and work, connected by the City of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on the boundary. Discover the key resources and how to locate them in the various archives covering the two counties. Learn how to effectively use the catalogues and finding aids, see what is available online or what can only be accessed in archives or libraries. Also learn about what records are different and unique to these two counties and are really helpful in your research.
Paleografía, Abreviaturas y Fórmulas Comunes de los Archivos Parroquiales en América Latina
Tue, March 17 2026: 18:00 UTC
Los archivos parroquiales constituyen una de las fuentes genealógicas más ricas de América Latina, pero también una de las más desafiantes. Este webinar guiará a los asistentes en la lectura e interpretación de registros sacramentales—bautismos, matrimonios y entierros—desde la época colonial hasta el siglo XX. Se abordarán principios básicos de la paleografía, abreviaturas frecuentes, fórmulas eclesiásticas y variaciones regionales en la manera de registrar información. Se incluirán ejercicios prácticos de lectura de documentos originales, con énfasis en errores comunes y estrategias efectivas para descifrar textos antiguos.
Los archivos parroquiales constituyen una de las fuentes genealógicas más ricas de América Latina, pero también una de las más desafiantes. Este webinar guiará a los asistentes en la lectura e interpretación de registros sacramentales—bautismos, matrimonios y entierros—desde la época colonial hasta el siglo XX. Se abordarán principios básicos de la paleografía, abreviaturas frecuentes, fórmulas eclesiásticas y variaciones regionales en la manera de registrar información. Se incluirán ejercicios prácticos de lectura de documentos originales, con énfasis en errores comunes y estrategias efectivas para descifrar textos antiguos.
Patterns from the Past: Using Visuals to Showcase Correlation and Analysis
Wed, March 18 2026: 0:00 UTC
Visual enhancements can transform dense genealogical information into clear, accessible evidence. This session demonstrates how thoughtfully designed tables, diagrams, timelines, and maps can distill complex evidence and clarify analysis. Drawing on real-world examples from research reports, kinship determinations, and case studies, we’ll explore how visuals can emphasize evidence, reveal patterns, and show relationships that words alone might obscure. You’ll learn how to pair the right type of visual to your specific goal—whether demonstrating patterns, evaluating source reliability, or placing an ancestor in the right place at the right time. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for letting visuals do some of the analytical heavy-lifting in their next project.
Visual enhancements can transform dense genealogical information into clear, accessible evidence. This session demonstrates how thoughtfully designed tables, diagrams, timelines, and maps can distill complex evidence and clarify analysis. Drawing on real-world examples from research reports, kinship determinations, and case studies, we’ll explore how visuals can emphasize evidence, reveal patterns, and show relationships that words alone might obscure. You’ll learn how to pair the right type of visual to your specific goal—whether demonstrating patterns, evaluating source reliability, or placing an ancestor in the right place at the right time. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for letting visuals do some of the analytical heavy-lifting in their next project.
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