How do I search historical records by place or by using the world map?

If you know where your ancestor lived, you can search historical records by place. The location-specific search includes resources about the place:

• Links a wiki article about the place
• Learning Center lessons
• Search records filtered by location
• Search records > Find a collection or Search by Place
• Current indexing projects for the place
• Search genealogies pertaining to the place
• Image-only record sets for the place by category
• Catalog entries by category

Steps (website)

1. Sign into FamilySearch.org 
2. At the top of the page, click Search
3. Click Records
4. Under Search by Place, do one of the following:
   
   • In the field, enter the name of the place. Click the standardized version of the place when it appears.
   • To select a place from a map, click Browse Places. Click an area on the map and then click the specific place from the right panel.
5. Enter your search terms or explore resources.

Steps (mobile app)

1. In the Family Tree mobile app, display the additional options:
   
   • Android: At the top-left of the screen, tap the 3 lines.
   • Apple iOS: At the bottom-right of the screen, tap the 3 dots.
2. Tap Search Historical Records.
3. Scroll down to Search by Place and continue with the website instructions.

Related articles

Search tips for historical records
How do I search all historical record collections at once?
How do I find and search a specific collection in historical records?
How do I view a list of all record collections in Historical Records?
How do I find an image in an unindexed collection in Historical Records?
Getting the Most from Your Search: Understanding the Search Records Page