How do I enter a name from a different language into Family Tree?

Article Id: 1294
October 29, 2023

When you add or edit a name in Family Tree, you can change the language template. With the correct language template, you can enter the name in the correct order with the correct character set. 

When you enter non-Roman characters, the system automatically adds Romanized characters in separate fields. The Romanized characters improve the accuracy of future searches and help us identify duplicates. 

Steps (website)

  1. Sign in to FamilySearch, and click Family Tree. Then click Tree.
  2. Find the person whose name that you want to change.
  3. Click the person's name. In the details that pop up, click the person's name again.
  4. Click the Details tab.
  5. To the right of a name in the Vitals section, click the Edit icon . 
  6. To enter a name for the first time, scroll to Family Members. Click Add Spouse or Add Child. 
  7. Above the current name, click the down arrow in the Language Template box. The box contains either the name of a language or the word "Other."
  8. Click the language that you want. 
  9. Enter the name. 
  10. Enter how you know that the name is correct.
  11. Click Save.

Steps (mobile app)

  1. On the person page in the Family Tree app, tap the Details tab.
  2. Under Vitals, tap the person’s name. Then tap Edit.
    1. To enter a name for the first time, tap the Spouses or Parents tab. Then tap Add Spouse, Add Child, Add Sibling, or Add Parent. 
  3. Directly under the dark banner, tap Other. 
  4. Tap the language that you want, then tap Continue.
  5. Enter the name. 
  6. Enter how you know that the name is correct, and tap Save. 

Steps (Family Tree Lite)

  1. From the person page in Family Tree Lite, tap the person’s name in Vital Information.
  2. Tap Edit icon . 
  3. Above the name fields, you see the currently selected language or the word Other. Tap it, and then tap the language that you want.  
  4. Enter the name. Enter how you know that the name is correct. 
  5. Tap Save. 

Language templates for names in Family Tree
How should I enter names in Family Tree?
In Family Tree, how do I resolve the data problem, "Problem with Name Language"?

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