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FamilySearch

FreeDifficulty: Easy

Last checked: 5 November 2026

What Is It, In Plain Words?

FamilySearch is a free website and app for building a family tree and searching historical records. It is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is free for everyone, of any background.

The AI parts help in two main ways. Full-Text Search uses AI to read old handwriting so you can search nearly two billion record images by name, place or keyword. The AI Research Assistant suggests record matches and possible new relatives on your signed-in home page. FamilySearch also has an AI Help Chatbot for how-to questions. Every AI hint still needs you to check the original record.

What You Can Use It For

  • Breaking a brick wall. Search an ancestor's name in Full-Text Search to find them in wills, land records or letters that were never typed into an index.
  • Growing the tree carefully. After you sign in, open the AI Research Assistant hints, compare each record side by side, and only then attach a new parent, spouse or child.
  • Saving photos and stories. Upload family photos and short stories to a person's page so relatives can see them.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Computer

  1. Open your web browser and go to familysearch.org. Check the address carefully, because look-alike sites exist.
  2. Click Create Account. The help centre says there is only one kind of account, and it is free.
  3. Sign in. On the home page, look for the AI Research Assistant box if it has found hints.
  4. To search old handwritten records, open Search, then Full Text, and type a name, place or keyword.
  5. Open any result, read the image yourself, and only attach it to your tree when the details match.

On A Phone Or Tablet

  1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
  2. Search for FamilySearch Tree and check it's made by FamilySearch. Copycat apps exist.
  3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
  4. Sign in with the same free account. You can add people, attach sources and view hints on your phone.

Things To Try Typing

Things to try on FamilySearch:

  1. Search Full Text for my grandmother's full name and the county she lived in
  2. Review the first AI Research Assistant hint and compare it to the tree before attaching
  3. Ask the Help Chatbot where Full-Text Search is
  4. Upload a labelled photo to a great-grandparent's page
  5. Ignore a hint that clearly belongs to a different family with the same surname

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy. FamilySearch's help centre says the Church provides it free of charge, and that there is only one type of account: a free one.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Checked 5 November 2026 on FamilySearch's "Is FamilySearch free to use?" help article. Some links from FamilySearch go to other companies' sites, which may charge; those are optional.

Privacy And Safety

  • What it keeps. FamilySearch says it does not sell your information. Details you enter about living people stay private to you; details about deceased ancestors are shared with other researchers on the shared Family Tree.
  • AI suggestions can be wrong. FamilySearch says so clearly: always compare the record to your tree before you attach anyone.
  • Don't upload private documents about living people that they would not want shared.
  • Use the Help Chatbot for how the site works; for medical or legal questions, talk to a professional.
  • Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

  • Completely free, with no subscription tier.
  • Full-Text Search opens records that used to need hours of page-by-page browsing.
  • AI hints are labelled, and you stay in control of what goes on the tree.

Watch-Outs

  • The shared Family Tree means other people can edit deceased ancestors. Check changes.
  • AI handwriting transcripts can misread names; always open the image.
  • Some partner links lead to paid genealogy sites. You do not need them for the free core tools.
  • A free account is needed for the full tree and AI Research Assistant.

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Common Questions

Is FamilySearch really free?
Yes. FamilySearch's own help article says it is free for everyone, and that there is only one type of account: a free one.
What AI features does it have?
Full-Text Search (AI transcripts of handwritten records), the AI Research Assistant (record and relative hints on your home page) and an AI Help Chatbot for using the site.
Do I have to be a church member?
No. FamilySearch says it is free regardless of tradition, culture or religious affiliation.
Can the AI add people to my tree by itself?
No. Hints need you to review and attach them. FamilySearch warns that AI can make mistakes.

Safety tip: never share passwords, bank details or ID numbers with any AI tool.

Website of FamilySearch (opens in new tab)

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About The Author

Robert Woolford is the founder of exonexo, a simple guide to AI tools, AI news and scam safety for beginners. Spotted a mistake or have a question? Email info@exonexo.com. Read our Editorial Policy.

Updated 5 November 2026