My instructions about how to access Family Search

Lance Ward

I am writing instructions about how to access Family Search, for a ward member to give to her relatives who are unfamiliar with the site, and some of whom are not so computer literate. I am including the instructions below. Is there anything else I should include? Thank you.

To access the familysearch.org website:

With a computer:

1. Make sure your computer has power and is turned on.
2. In a browser, go to familysearch.org .
3. If you already have an account, click “Sign in” and enter your username and password.
4. If you don’t yet have an account, click “Create Account”.  Then enter your first and last names, birthdate, and sex.  If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, click the box to add your membership number as well.  Otherwise, leave this box blank.  Then click “Continue”.  Create a username and password.  Confirm the password by retyping it.  Select a recovery option (mobile phone or email address) in case you forget your password.  Select a “location” by choosing what country you are in.
5. If you want messages from FamilySearch about your ancestors, check the box.  These are usually discovery webpages to help you learn more about your ancestors.  Also, check the box that you accept the “Terms of Use” and have read the “Privacy Notice” after you have done these.  Then click the button to “Create Account”.
6. If the username you choose is already in use, or if your password is too easy for someone to guess, you may be asked to choose a different one.  In that case, choose a longer username or password, then again click the button to “Create Account”.
7. Once you have created your account, then at familysearch.org click “Sign in” and enter your username and password.
8. You will want to add information about yourself and your ancestors.  You may also choose to add “Sources” and “Memories”, including photos, documents, stories, and short audio clips.
9. Later you may explore the different menu options:  “FamilySearch”, “Family Tree”, “Search”, “Memories”, “Get Involved”, and “Activities”.

To access the familysearch.org website:

With a tablet or smartphone:

1. Make sure your tablet or smartphone has power and is turned on.
2. On your smartphone or tablet, tap on the App Store or Google Play Store.   Search for, Get, and Install the “Family Tree” app.  You may also want to Get and Install the “Memories” app at the same time.
3. Tap the “Family Tree” app icon to open and start it.
4. If you already have an account, tap “Sign in” and enter your username and password.
5. If you don’t yet have an account, tap “Create Account”.  Then enter your first and last names, birthdate, and sex.  If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mark the box to add your membership number as well.  Otherwise, leave this box blank.  Then click “Continue”.  Create a username and password.  Confirm the password by retyping it.  Select a recovery option (mobile phone or email address) in case you forget your password.  Select a “location” by choosing what country you are in.
6. If you want messages from FamilySearch about your ancestors, mark the box.  These are usually discovery webpages to help you learn more about your ancestors.  Also, check the box that you accept the “Terms of Use” and have read the “Privacy Notice” after you have done these.  Then click the button to “Create Account”.
7. If the username you choose is already in use, or if your password is too easy for someone to guess, you may be asked to choose a different one.  In that case, choose a longer username or password, then again click the button to “Create Account”.
8. Once you have created your account, then tap the “Family Tree” app icon and tap “Sign in” and enter your username and password.
9. You will want to add information about yourself and your ancestors.  You may also choose to add “Sources” and “Memories”, including photos, documents, stories, and short audio clips.  Audio clips are especially easy to start, record, and attach using a tablet or smartphone.  This is a quick way to record a story or record someone else while they relate an experience or counsel.  (Audio files can be about 15 minutes long.)
10. Later you may explore the different menu options listed at the bottom of the screen.

MDRMT

@Lance Ward

Thank you for all the effort you are putting into to help your family.

It is important that users have the latest versions of their Browser, and using ones that FamilySearch supports. Further, they need to be sure that their tools (computer, laptop, phone, etc.) are all the most current versions so they are able to see all the functionality and information available to users of FamilySearch. The following link will help you to understand what those are.

https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/what-operating-systems-do-the-familysearch-mobile-apps-require

One more thing you may want to share with your family and could save you a lot of time.

https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/get-started

We wish you best of success in getting your family and friends involved with FamilySearch and making a record of their loved ones.

Lance Ward

Thank you.

Brown, Vivien Sinclair

Here is a short tutorial on Registration and Settings for FamilySearch from BYU FHL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6xcji6BnBk&t=1s

Lance Ward

Thank you very much, Vivien. This video is very detailed.