How to Manage Your FamilySearch Settings and Preferences

 

This is a continuation of my post, How to Create a Free FamilySearch account.

With your new FamilySearch login, one of the first things you should do is manage your FamilySearch Settings and Preferences. You’re in charge of what others can see and access and who can contact you.

 

How to change your Password, Contact info, Notifications, or Preferences at FamilySearch.

When you’re logged in at FamilySearch, in the upper right-hand corner, next to your name, you’ll see an arrow. When you select the arrow you’ll have three options: Settings, Source Box, Sign Out

 

SETTINGS

Select Settings to make changes to your account. The Settings Menu includes:

• Basic Account info you can edit and then save changes you’ve made

  • Username

  • Password

  • Display Name

  • Birthdate

  • Gender

  • Membership Record Number if you’re LDS

  • Helper Number – If you have problems with your account and call the help desk, they may ask for your helper number to resolve issues with your account.

 

• Contact

  • Your contact name (Name by which other FamilySearch users will see you)

  • Your email address if you provided one

  • Your phone number if you provided one

  • Your address if you provided one

  • Country

• Notifications

  • Your preferred email address

  • Your preferred language

  • Checkboxes for all types of updates, emails, text messages you’d like to receive, you can opt out of all

• Preferences

  • Show LDS Temple Information, this is for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to see if temple work has been done for an ancestor

  • Select the Starting person for your Family Tree; I chose myself. I could choose a child or a parent, and my tree will start from that person.

• Connected Accounts

  • this shows every business, app, etc. that you have granted authorization to access your account, you can revoke access at any time

SOURCES

• Select My Source Box to view a log of any sources you’ve added to your family tree. Anytime you attach records from FamilySearch to your family tree, this is recorded in the Source Box attached to your name. You can edit these additions here.

 

SIGN OUT

• Select Sign Out when you’re finished at this website. You can tell FamilySearch to remember your login information or to keep you logged in for up to two weeks. If you’re using a public computer they ask that you always Sign Out before leaving the public station.

 

How to Get Help at FamilySearch

GET HELP

• Above your username there’s an arrow to select if you need to “Get Help” or you can email support@familysearch.org. FamilySearch provides online help 24/7. They may ask for your “Helper Number.”

 

 

 

The Helper Number, as mentioned above, is in the Settings section. You’ll select the arrow next to your name, select Settings, select Account, then scroll down to the Helper Number and provide this information.

 

With your new FamilySearch login and account, be sure to set your preferences and enjoy free rein as you explore all the menus and resources available to you. Best in your research!