How do I add an outside source to Family Tree?

Article Id: 1252
February 12, 2025
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Sometimes you may find sources that are not available on FamilySearch.org. You may find them on another website, or you may have a paper or digital copy. You can type the information to add these sources to Family Tree. When you enter information about the source, you can either link it to the online copy or attach a digital copy if the source is not copyrighted.

In your source box and in Family Tree, you can identify these outside sources by this icon:

Icon of the planet Earth

Before you start

Many materials used in family history research are protected by copyright laws. Unless you created an item, it is best to assume that it is protected by copyright law. Before uploading any document, please verify that you have permission to do so.

If the source is online, we recommend linking to the online version instead of uploading an image. The citation form has a field specifically for the URL.

If you have a photo, downloaded image, screenshot, or paper copy of the item, please contact the copyright holder, and get permission to upload it to a website where the image is publicly available and can be searched and downloaded for free. We may need you to provide a release indicating that the copyright holder grants permission for this document to be posted on our public website.

Uploaded images must meet these requirements:

  • We accept .jpg, .png, .tif, .bmp, and .pdf files. (Use .pdf for multipage documents.)
  • The maximum file size is 15 MB.

The same copyright requirements apply regardless of whether you add memories as sources or use the Family Tree app to attach a photograph from your phone as a source.

Steps (website)

  1. Sign in to FamilySearch.org.
  2. Navigate to the person page of the individual for whom you have an outside source.  
  3. Click the Sources tab. 
  4. Click Add Source.
  5. Click Add New Source.

  6. Enter information about the source.

    a. Enter an event date. The date allows you to sort sources chronologically.
    b. Enter a title for the source.
    c. To enter a source from a webpage, click Web Page URL. Enter the URL for the source. To use a memory, click Add a Memory. Click Upload Memory or Select from Gallery. Details are below.
    d. Add a citation that explains where the record is found.
    e. Describe the record. You can enter a transcription of a source or an explanation of a memory item.
    f. Enter a reason to attach the source.
    g. Click the tag for each event the source gives information about.
    h. If you want the source to be in your Source box, leave the option checked. Otherwise, click to uncheck it.
    i. Click Save.

Upload Memory

  1. In step 6c above, click Upload Memory.
  2. Find the saved item on your computer, and double-click it.
  3. The uploaded item becomes a source for your ancestor. The system also adds it to your Memories Gallery on FamilySearch.org.
  4. Continue with step 6d above.

  1. In step 6c above, click Select from Gallery.
  2. The Memories Gallery opens.
  3. Click the item that you want to add as a source.
  4. Click Import.
  5. Continue with step 6d above.

Steps (mobile app)

  1. In the Family Tree app, navigate to the person page of an individual you want to attach a source to.
  2. Tap the Sources tab.
  3. In the lower right portion of the screen, tap the plus sign.
  4. Tap Add Source with a Web Page or Add a Source with a Photo. Continue with the appropriate steps.

Add a source with a web page

  1. Enter the source title.
  2. Enter a date (optional).
  3. Enter the URL to the outside source.
  4. Provide a citation to explain where the record was found.
  5. Add notes.
  6. Enter a reason to attach the source.
  7. Tap Save.

Add a source with a photo

  1. Tap Add Photo on an iOS device. Tap Add Source Photo on an Android device.
  2. Tap from the list of options.
    1. Camera or Take Photo: Use your mobile device to capture a digital image.
    2. Camera Roll, My Files, or File: Use an image from your device as the source.
    3. My FamilySearch Gallery or FamilySearch Gallery: Select an item in your gallery to use a source.
  3. Tap an item. Depending on your selection, tap Save or Upload.
  4. Enter a source title.
  5. Enter an event date.
  6. Enter a citation that explains where the record was found.
  7. Enter notes. For documents, the notes can be an extraction or transcription of the record.
  8. Enter a reason to attach the source.
  9. Tap Save.

Steps (Family Tree Lite)

Family Tree Lite does not have the Sources feature. To manage sources, visit the full website.

How do I know if something is copyrighted?
What are the benefits of adding sources to Family Tree?
How do I upload memories to FamilySearch?

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