FamilySearch Archives

Why does FamilySearch require me to create a free account and What if I don’t want to create a free account?

Some researchers have voiced frustration with the new FamilySearch requirement to create a free account and be signed in before being permitted to freely search the records. Change is annoying and so is having one more site where you need to remember your login and password. When I didn't receive a response from FamilySearch in response to my question about the changes, I asked an insider. Okay, I asked my husband. He's worked for Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and now works for MyHeritage.com. First, here's the official line from FamilySearch:

"Beginning December 13, 2017, patrons visiting FamilySearch.org will see a prompt to register for a free FamilySearch account or to sign in to their existing account to continue enjoying all the free expanded benefits FamilySearch has to offer. Since its launch in 1999, FamilySearch has added millions of users, billions of various historical records, and many fun, new features like Family Tree, Memorie…

How to Create a Free FamilySearch Account

FamilySearch is the largest provider of free genealogical records in the world. They have almost 4,000 Family History Centers worldwide as well as a website where you can access more than 4 billion names for free and upload a personal family tree or create a FamilySearch family tree. Some of the collections we list at OnGenealogy are from FamilySearch and while they are a completely FREE website, FamilySearch now requires everyone to register for a free account before searching any records.

We'd encourage you to CREATE a free FamilySearch account and take advantage of this great resource. You can opt out of emails and control privacy settings and we'll show you how in another post. Instructions for How To Create a Free Account at FamilySearch 1. Go to https://www.familysearch.org If you already have an LDS account, your FamilySearch.org account is the same as an LDS Account and you can use the same…

What does LDS mean and why do they care about Genealogy?

If you've been involved in genealogy or are new to the hobby, you'll invariably run into lexicon like LDS and Mormon. So what does LDS and Mormon mean and why do Mormons care about Genealogy? On FamilySearch, LDS and Mormon are just shortened names that refer to either members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the church as an institution, or genealogy collections that involve these people in some way. You can visit: https://www.comeuntochrist.org/beliefs for explanations of their history and beliefs, www.lds.org for current news and resources used by members worldwide, and www.familysearch.org for free family history resources provided by the LDS church. Caring for ancestors is a core LDS belief and is why Mormons have invested time and resources into preserving genealogy records worldwide. Mormons believe they have a specific charge to care for their own ancestors and by extension, do their best to help others connect with their…