Using Family Search Records

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Family Search records are updating regularly, with millions of new records added monthly.  Along with that there are continual improvements being made to access and use the records to enhance our Family Tree experience.  Indexing is ongoing and helps so much.  But we cannot forget that about 80% are not indexed yet.  It is important to remember that what wasn't there last week could be there this week.

 Until something has been indexed it may be browseable but not searchable in the records by using the search boxes at the top of the home page.  So all the information you add will not produce results even though we may have the record you are looking for in the 80% that are not ready for the search boxes yet.

 Many people come in, sit down and add their ancestor to the little boxes and nothing comes up.  They assume we have nothing for them.  Nothing could be further from the truth in most cases.  The 80% is searchable and browseable by localities.  Some records are partially indexed but not completely.  So we have three types of records:  Indexed, Partially Indexed, and Browseable.

Go to familysearch.org>click on Search>click on Records>Scroll down to Browse Collections>Filter by record name or locality.  You will see a place to click to see what has been added most recently.


It really pays to keep up with the familysearch.org website for all the information that is forthcoming all the time.  If I don't get to do it at home then I try to always make that a priority at the beginning of my work day in the Family Search Library.

The lesson in the link will help to explain and it gives you a great exercise to practice on as you learn more about the collections.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7r9csehxdcijl55/Using%20FamilySearch%20Records.pdf

Remember to train patrons to return often to the collections in search of their ancestors.