Introducing Tree Extending Hints from the AI Research Assistant

You can’t miss it! As soon as you sign in to FamilySearch.org, the new AI Research Assistant will let you know if it has found tree-extending names you could potentially add to your family tree. Welcome to the latest innovation from FamilySearch that makes genealogical research easier, helping you connect to all your ancestors.

These AI-discovered hints on the signed-in home page make it much easier for FamilySearch users to find and add new names to their family tree. Read on to learn how these hints work and how this feature can help you fill in missing people on your family lines.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Show Which Record Hints Might Add a New Spouse, Parent, or Child

FamilySearch’s research shows that there is a widespread desire among our users, of all experience levels, to add more names to their family tree. Stories of frustration and discouragement abound, from both experienced and beginner users who have reached a wall while attempting to extend a family line and who could go no further. (Some have been stuck for decades!) The new AI Research Assistant addresses this crucial concern. FamilySearch engineers realized that they could take existing record hint technology (which already searches billions of records to find matches in Family Tree) and use AI to discover which of those hints offer tree-extending opportunities. The research assistant displays hints that not only show a potential new record match for someone in your family line, but also where the record includes a potential parent, spouse, or child who is not currently in your family tree.

All record hints (including the AI-driven, home-page hints) need careful review to make sure they are accurate, and the AI Research Assistant makes this review easy by connecting directly to the FamilySearch source linker. Through the source linker, you can compare the information in the record with the information in your tree to ensure that it is consistent. If it is, then you can celebrate! You’ll not only have a new source but also a new person to add to your tree.

During testing, FamilySearch users began reporting success stories right away! For example, with the help of the AI Research Assistant, an experienced, well-seasoned genealogist (who happens to be in her 80s) was able to break through a wall that had blocked one of her lines for more than 20 years. Another significant advance occurred for former FamilySearch director of design and engineering, the late Craig Miller. He noted that he could not add any names to his family tree during all of 2024 because his own research appeared to be so complete. But in 2025, in the first few months of using the AI Research Assistant, he added more than 20 names.

Getting Started with AI Research Assistant’s Home Page Hints

Follow these steps to try it out for yourself!

1. As soon as you sign in to FamilySearch.org, you’ll be on the signed-in home page. If the AI Research Assistant has identified any tree-extending hints, the hints will be featured prominently in a box that says, “AI Research Assistant found new ancestors who could grow your family tree.”

2. Up to 5 names may be presented. Click Review and Add to see more details about each record hint and the potential new person found in it. Then, to go straight to the source linker, click Attach. (You can also click View Record to see the historical record or its index in a new tab, before you begin attaching.)

3. In the source linker, you can review all the names in the record the hint provided, comparing them to the information currently in the family tree to decide if they really do match. (If you want to see more information about each person, be sure to click Details in the top right corner next to the name!) Then you will be able to add the new person (or persons) to the tree, directly from the source linker, by clicking the plus sign. Follow the prompts to review the person’s information from the record and add the person to your tree.

For example, let’s say the person in your tree has no children listed, but the historical record from the hint has information about 4 people. The source linker will list all 4 people from the record (and their vital information) on the left and let you compare that information to the tree information on the right as you attach the record. If you determine that the information in the record really does match the person in your tree and known family members, then you can add the new people from the record to your tree.

Note: If you don’t see enough matching information or if you see contradictory information while viewing the record, the record hint might not be a match. In that case, you can go back to the AI Research Assistant and click Ignore for that hint. Then the research assistant will begin searching for more opportunities to add names.

To learn more about how to use the AI Research Assistant’s home page hints and reviewing record hints, visit these helpful articles:

• FamilySearch AI Help Features
  
• What are record hints in Family Tree?
  
• How do I add missing family members to Family Tree from record hints?

Important Considerations for Working with an AI Tool

The AI Research Assistant’s home page hints feature is one of many helpful AI tools on the FamilySearch site. As is the case elsewhere on FamilySearch, you will always find these features clearly labeled as using AI. Also, conscientious readers may find it helpful to know that FamilySearch AI tools have crucial guard rails to keep them safe and effective. For example, the names the AI Research Assistant suggests are only ever based on existing record hints, taken from data stored in the record databases on FamilySearch.org.

Remember, AI can make mistakes. Please double-check responses. If you determine that the AI made a mistake (for example, if the hinted name is a name already attached to your tree), you can offer feedback using the floating Feedback button on the left of the FamilySearch site or by visiting the FamilySearch Community. We would love to hear your feedback during any part of your AI Research Assistant experience. FamilySearch engineers behind the scenes are waiting to review and discuss what you suggest so we can continue to improve the experience of all FamilySearch users on the site.

Love Trying Out New Features?

More AI Research Assistant features and capabilities will become available in the future. With your frequent use and generous feedback and suggestions, you can become a part of further improvements! Visit FamilySearch Labs at any time to help test upcoming features.