How do I attach a historical record to a person in Family Tree?

Article Id: 1124
November 30, 2023

Use the source linker to add historical records as a source to your ancestors in Family Tree. 

    Steps (website)

    1. Sign into FamilySearch. 
    2. At the top of the page, click Search. 
    3. Click Records. 
    4. Enter your search terms, and click Search. 
    5. Click the search result that interests you. 
    6. Click Attach to Family Tree. (Attached in Family Tree to [name] shows if the record is already attached as a source.)
    7. Find your ancestor's name under "History List" or "Possible Matches." Click Select.
      • If you do not see a match, search by ID number instead, and click Correct.
      • If you do not know the ID number, click the back button on your browser to return to the previous page. You can attempt to attach the record again when you have the necessary information. 
    8. When Source Linker opens, you see 2 columns. On the left is information from the historical record. On the right is information from Family Tree. 
    9. If the information in the historical record matches the person on the right, click Compare.
    10. Click Add to add the new information to the person.
    11. Enter an explanation, and click Attach.
      • You will see a small drop-down rectangle menu if the information from the historical document matches more than 1 person. To see a list of names, click the menu. Select any that apply. 
      • If the information in the historical document does not match your ancestor, click Not a Match. Type an explanation, and click Save.
      • If you are unsure, click Cancel.
    12. If Source Linker matched the record to other family members, a Compare link appears next to each family member. Click Compare, and continue as above for each additional family member.
      • Some records contain information about a person not presently linked to the family. Click Add, and create a new person in Family Tree. 

    Steps (mobile app)

    1. Open the Family Tree mobile app.
    2. Tap Search Historical Records. 
      • Apple iOS: Tap the 3 menu bars in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen and tap More. In the menu that appears, tap Search Historical Records. 
      • Android: Tap the 3 menu bars at the top of the screen. In the menu that appears, tap Search Historical Records. 
    3. Enter your search terms, and tap Search. 
    4. Tap the search result that interests you. 
    5. Tap Attach to Family Tree or Review and Attach Record. If you see "Attached in Family Tree to [name]" or "Attached to [name]", the record is already attached as a source.
    6. Find your ancestor's name under "History List" or "Possible Matches." Tap Select.
      • If you do not see a match, search by ID number instead, and tap Correct.
      • If you do not know the ID number, continue researching until you have enough information to continue. 
    7. When Source Linker opens, you see 2 columns. On the left is information from the historical record. On the right is information from Family Tree. If the
    8. information in the historical record matches the person on the right, tap Add. Enter an explanation, and tap Attach.
      • You see a small drop-down rectangle menu if the information from the historical document matches more than 1 person. To see the names, tap the menu. Select any that apply. 
      • If the information in the historical document does not match your ancestor, tap Not a Match. Enter an explanation, and tap Save.
      • If you are unsure, tap Cancel.
    9. If Source Linker matched the record to other family members, a Compare link appears next to each family member. Tap Compare, and continue as above for each additional family member.
      • If the record contains information about a person not presently linked to the family on the right, tap Add, and complete the process to create a new person in Family Tree.

    Steps (Family Tree Lite)

    You cannot search and attach historical records through Family Tree Lite. Please use the regular FamilySearch website or mobile app. 

    How do I attach source from Source Box?
    Getting the Most from Your Search: Understanding the Search Records Page

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