Family Search Reviews

(based on 18 reviews)

193 of 392 people found this review helpful

I have been using the genealogy research resources made available for free online by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for quite a few years, including their current Family Search website. Even though there was some disruption of service for a bit while the church got their current family search site up and running, in general I have found this resource very useful. The church has extensive searchable records, with more being added over time. There are also some pedigrees (family trees) submitted by others who enjoy doing genealogy research on their families.

Registration to use the site is easy, and the initial search engine on the site is easy to use. You can set up a family tree for yourself and your family (information on those still living is kept confidential) and this can be added to as more research gives you more information. In addition, the family tree you create can be used to conduct more searching of the records the site has available and will still be there whenever you visit the site again.

The online help features (both FAQ type information, and online chat with a helpful genealogy research volunteer) can... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would recommend Family Search to a friend.

205 of 397 people found this review helpful

Initially it is EXTREMELY difficult to search for accuracy of records. Their previous search program was much easier to navigate and records were promptly found. Under the current program the user must search through thousands of records before locating the right one. This program is the last one of my list of research tools due to the time it takes to navigate and search. It should not be this hard.

In summary, I would not recommend Family Search to a friend.

203 of 427 people found this review helpful

Familysearch.org is migrating old information to the new site. I was told it should be done or close to done by middle of 2013. I have been using it for a bit over a month. I have called for assistance and have had wonderful support on how to search a bit easier. If you click on search then scroll to the area your looking to find information.. for example scroll to the bottom of the records page and select United States, from there choose a state, example Pennsylvania, you will then see the Historical Record Collections

You then will be able to determine the records that they have posted.. which will make or break your search.. but they have mentioned a lot more to come by middle of 2013

I may still look at Archives.com for the price and the free 7 day trial

In summary, I would recommend Family Search to a friend.

222 of 445 people found this review helpful

I have tried for several weeks to get Familysearch.org to work . It will not even open right. I emailed them but have not received a reply as of yet.

In summary, I would not recommend Family Search to a friend.

222 of 448 people found this review helpful

There is not much to say other than the site is probably better than those where you have to register and pay. Easy to use, understand and also obtain information. All in all, excellent

In summary, I would recommend Family Search to a friend.

252 of 495 people found this review helpful

How can you knock a site that is so giving? I have learned a lot from this site and highly recommend it to anyone. They have put so many records to help people, it is unbelievable. And for free. All I can say is thank you and I am grateful that they do this. This is how I started doing genealogy, and it has been a big help. I have Ancestry.com, world vital records, footnote.com and newspaperarchive.com besides but I always end up back at familysearch.org.

In summary, I would recommend Family Search to a friend.

258 of 497 people found this review helpful

Much better results than ancestry.com! And for free! I have been researching my father's family, who immigrated from Austria/Hungary in the early 1900's. I have found much more information on Family Search than I have on ancestry.com (the pay site). I am getting more hits here, the information is much more relevant, and the info seems to be more accurate than the ancestry website. The downside - I haven't found any original documents available on this website like you can (if you're lucky) on the ancestry site. BUT I am digging up info not available on other websites and am able to use that as a starting point in many cases. Anyone who is doing this probably knows that it is a time-consuming and often frustrating undertaking and there is no perfect website for this mission. It's a fabulous collaboration of bits of information from wherever it can be found. Hang in there...keep digging...it's a really neat thing to do and worth the time and frustration!

In summary, I would recommend Family Search to a friend.

241 of 462 people found this review helpful

My father was born and raised in the united states and only lived in 2 states his entire life. He has passed away and with this information I should be able to find something on him. I cannot find anything at all. If I cannot even get as far as my parents then I do not have high hopes for finding anything that will be a bit harder. :(

I would still recommend people to try the website because it's free and it's worth at least trying.

In summary, I would recommend Family Search to a friend.