How do I find a name in MY family tree with only the first name available?

Tehani Kolea Sewell

I only have the first name of a VERY distant relative, I am wanting to look in my family tree to find this person, is there a way that I can search for this relative without having to search the WHOLE database or scrolling ALL the way back through my relatives to find this specific person?

Thank you!

Paul W

@Tehani Kolea Sewell

In short, the answer is no - as there is no "MY family tree" concept / structure within the FamilySearch Family Tree. But surely you have a little more than just a first name to search on? There must be an approximate time period relating to their birth or death, say, and/or at least a county of state, or another individual to whom you know they are related. If not, and the information attached to them is so sparse, why even bother looking - just create a new ID from any information you do have and merge with the "original" ID if found later on. Although, having suggested that, it comes to me what data (or to whom) you would attach to your "John", "Mary", or whatever name you have for them.

If I am missing your point, please explain further.

dontiknowyou

@Tehani Kolea Sewell

Are you looking for an ancestor, or a cousin? The difference is significant.

Also, do you have reason to believe the person has a profile in Family Tree? Or do you need to search historical records?

fmadkins

You can go to Search then find and enter any information you have. You could also use information and search for someone else related to her. Idea look at the people whom she is connected to. Place of birth, marriage etc, If any of the people she is connected to use their birth date to guess about when or where she is born. You could use a 20 gap between generations. Single women are hard to search for so don't give up, she is there ready to be found.

waqhzon3

I am searching my ancestors with first name only and it's been a month with no clue or hints. I do not know where to look if only someone out there is willing to help me. Thanks

Julia Szent-Györgyi

@waqhzon3, if the person is definitely an ancestor (not a cousin), and definitely has a profile on the collaborative tree, then you should be able to find that profile with some systematic use of the fan chart and your browser's "find on page" function. Set the fan chart to the full seven generations; if the person is further away than that, you can click the fan chart option on each outermost wedge to see that ancestor's ancestors. Yes, that can mean up to 64 new charts, but it's a finite number.

If the person is not a direct ancestor, but the profile is one that you've previously edited, then you should be able to find it on your "My Contributions" page; you can search the list by name.

Áine Ní Donnghaile

And, once you find the profile, click the star to follow the profile, so you can find it again easily.