Overview
The FamilySearch Wiki is a genealogical guide that provides information about record types, search strategies, record collections, FamilySearch genealogical resources, and other online and offline sites. The wiki serves as a tool for people to learn how to trace their ancestors.
The wiki contains information submitted by users, including expert genealogists. It will often be the first, most important database used to help a guest find records. To improve the standardization of content, FamilySearch Wiki Administration has been working to create training and new layouts for Wiki pages. Wiki editing by community members is suspended until further notice.
FamilySearch Wiki Support
Historical Records missionaries teach guests how to use the wiki to help them in their genealogical research. Often, instead of using Knowledge Articles, you will use information in the wiki to guide the guests.
A link to the wiki is on the Search menu. Click here to access the Wiki.
Prepare to Research
Before helping the guest search the Wiki, you will need to know:
- What type of record the guest is looking for: Example: Naturalization
- The place the guest expects to find the record: Example: New York
- The general time period of the record: Example: 1915
Searches on the Wiki
When searching the FamilySearch Wiki, use keywords instead of phrases for the best results.
- Record Search is used to find a specific type of record.
- Word List contains translations for common genealogical terms.
- Record Type search is used to find information about a certain type of record for a locality, such as cemeteries, church records, civil registration, military records, obituaries, naturalization, probate, etc. The Record Type box is found on the right side of the record's home page.
- Place Search is used to see what types of records were kept in a specific area, possible addresses for county courthouses or other record locations, and a time frame of when records were kept. Type the county/province, comma, then the country, comma, then “Genealogy" for the best results.
- Online Record Search is online records that are listed in the Wiki for each country, state (province), and county (parish).
- Subject Search uses keywords to search for a specific topic, such as Native American.
Key Points About Historical Record Collections
FamilySearch has multiple historical records collections accessed through the Search Records tab. Wiki has a page that explains each collection. When you type the name of a collection in the Wiki search bar, you will be taken to the corresponding collection page. The Wiki page for a historical record collection:
- Explains what the collection is
- Provides a coverage table
- Provides sample images
- Provides information about reading the record
- Tells what can be found on the records in the collection
- How to search the collection
A Table of Contents lists the information Wiki provides for using a historical record collection.
Coverage Tables and Known Issues
"Coverage Tables" is one of the most important sections on the Wiki historical records collection page. A guest may call in wondering why they cannot find a record within a collection. You need to add "FamilySearch Historical Records" in the search bar, along with the collection title. Help the guest locate the Coverage Table for this collection. Click on the Coverage Table link.
Online Genealogy Communities (Research Groups)
FamilySearch Communities and Facebook genealogical communities can provide specific research help for specific ancestors. They are moderated by FamilySearch volunteers and missionaries. Anyone can post questions and information on these sites. Most of these Facebook groups are on a country or state (province) level.
Webinars
A guest may want to know more than we can provide during a phone or chat conversation. Wiki has a page that connects guests to online Webinars at the Family History Library. You can access the link by typing “Webinars” in the Wiki search bar.
Related Articles:
FamilySearch Wiki: Editing the Wiki
FamilySearch Wiki: Stardardized Wiki Pages
