How To Search FamilySearch Collections Like A Genealogy Pro

FamilySearch is one of the most valuable (and free) genealogy websites out there. But if you’ve only used the basic search bar, you’re missing out on a lot of records. There are many different ways to search FamilySearch, and each one can open new doors in your research.

Today, I’ll walk you through all the ways you can search collections on FamilySearch so you can find more ancestors and maybe even break through some brick walls.

I’m a BIG fan of FamilySearch, like many of my genealogy friends and colleagues. While Ancestry is amazing, it’s when you pair the two that you can really make progress in your research. For some, FamilySearch can be a little confusing. So, let me show you different ways to look for records.

Using the Main Search Tab

The first and most common way people search on FamilySearch is by using the Search tab at the top of the page and clicking on Records.

Here, you can enter:

• First and last names
• Birth, marriage, or death dates
• Places where your ancestor lived

You can also click More Options to show filters to narrow your results by:

• Record type (census, birth, marriage, etc.)
• Location
• Time period

Pro Tip: Sometimes, less is more. If you don’t get good results, try entering only a last name and a place. Leave dates broad at first. You can always narrow down later.

Browse All Collections

Another powerful tool is Browse All Collections. To find it, click on Search/Records just as you did above, and then scroll down.

This lets you look through collections one by one, without relying on a name search.

You can enter a collection name if you know it or Click on the Browse All Collections link, then sort by:

• Record type
• Location
• Date range
• Whether they have images available

Browsing this way helps you find record sets you might otherwise miss, especially if your ancestors lived in a place or time that’s not fully indexed. Take a little time to scroll through the many record collections available for your location.

FamilySearch Catalog

Knowing how to use the FamilySearch Catalog can be a gamechanger for your genealogy research.

Click Search from the main menu bar, then Catalog.

You can search by place, surname, title, author, subject, or keyword. I would suggest searching by place first.

Type in the name of a location where your ancestor lived. The availability section has three choices: Any, Online, and FamilySearch Center.

If you don’t live near the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, or one of their affiliate libraries, click Online, then Search. This will give you the digitized records found online for that location.

If you do live near a FamilySearch library, then click Any or FamilySearch Center. Not all records are available for you to see at home. If you encounter an image icon that has a key over it, the records can only be accessed through an approved FamilySearch affiliate library. To find one near you, click HERE.

As an example, I’ve chosen to look for online records for Grainger County, Tennessee:

There are so many categories of records to look through. This isn’t just for United States records. Try your search for any location in the world.

If you need a little help, click HERE to see a video that walks you through how to use the catalog.

Pro Tip: I use the FamilySearch Catalog every day. Get to know it well, and you will make progress in your genealogy research.

Searching Images (Unindexed Records)

Another way to search records is through Images under the Search menu.

Here, you can browse digitized images of records that haven’t been indexed. That means they won’t come up in a name search. You will have to dig a little.

It works like this:

• Start with a location, like Grainger [county], Tennessee. Once in the results, you may be able to filter down even more with places found within the record set.
• Choose a record type by clicking on the Image Group Number.
• Select from the many different record categories.

You’re essentially flipping through digital pages of old records. It takes more time, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

Pro Tip: ALWAYS read the first few slides of a record collection to see how they are organized and what they contain. You will save yourself time and effort! If you’re lucky, you may find an index.

FamilySearch Research Wiki

It’s no secret I LOVE the FamilySearch Research Wiki. I wrote a blog post about it:
Why I Love The FamilySearch Wiki For My Genealogy Research.

Filtering down to Grainger County, Tennessee, I can see

• When it was formed and from what counties.
• When government records began for birth, marriage, death, court, land, probate, and census.
• Record loss.
• Links to records, including vital records, military records, probate, and so much more.
• Names and links to research facilities in Grainger County.

Pro Tip: When I need to research a new location, this is always my first stop.

Tips for Overcoming Search Problems

Not finding what you need? Here are some quick tips:

• Name Variations: Try different spellings. Use wildcards like * for multiple letters or ? for one letter.
  (Example: Searching “Johns*n” will find Johnson and Johnston.)
• Broadening or Tightening: If you get too many results, add a middle name, spouse’s name, or narrower date range. If you get too few, broaden your search.
• Unindexed Records: Remember that not everything has been indexed. If nothing shows up, go browse by location or use the Images section.

Patience pays off. Sometimes finding the right record means trying a few different strategies.

Finally

FamilySearch is so much more than a simple search engine. By learning how to use all these different tools — basic search, browsing collections, using the Catalog, Images, and the Wiki you’ll uncover records you may have missed.

Genealogy tip: Some record sets are on all genealogy websites, like census records. But many others are only licensed to Ancestry or FamilySearch, or the other genealogy sites. You may need to use multiple sites to get the answers you seek.

If you need help maneuvering the many websites trying to find your ancestors, give me a call. I can research for you, or give you tips to do it on your own. Click below to schedule a free 30-minute, no-obligation consultation.