How do I upload memories to FamilySearch?

0:00 / 0:00
Video Companion
How to add photos to a person in a few easy steps | FamilySearch

You can upload photos, audio files, or documents to FamilySearch Memories, either as a single item or as a group of items.

Before you start

Carefully read the Submission Agreement.

Format and file size limits

  • Documents: .pdf file formats up to 15 MB. Convert other document formats such as .doc and .docx files to .pdf before you upload.
  • Photos: .jpg, .png, .tif, and .bmp file formats up to 15 MB.
  • Audio: mp3, m4a, and .wav up to 15 MB

Please be aware

  • .pdf is the only supported file type that can include multiple pages.
  • Edit a memory, such as cropping a photo, before uploading. After you upload an item, you cannot edit it.

Steps from Memories (website)

  1. Sign in to FamilySearch.org
  2. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click Memories.
  3. Click Gallery.
  4. Click the plus sign (+) in a circle.
  5. Drag and drop content from your computer to the screen, or click Choose Files.
  6. Tag photos individually.

Steps from person page

  1. Click the Memories tab.
  2. Click Add Memories.
  3. Click a memory type:
    1. Audio: Record your voice to tell a story. You can record for up to 5 minutes for each audio memory. Click the record button to record. When you finish, click Done. Then click Save.
    2. Story: Upload up to 10 photos from Your Device or from Your Gallery. Enter a title and the story. Stories are set as Public by default. To make a story private, click Private. Click Save.
    3. File: Upload files. Click to upload from Your Device, Your Gallery, or Google Photos.

Steps to upload multiple files or photos

  1. Find and click the first item.
  2. Press down the Shift button on your keyboard.
  3. With the Shift button pressed down, click the last item that you want to upload.
  4. You see a list of attachments highlighted and ready to upload. Follow the prompts on the screen and upload the photos.
  5. To select nonconsecutive photos from a folder, find and click the first photo.
  6. Press and hold down the Control button (Ctrl).
  7. With the Control button pressed down, click all the items that you want to upload. Then follow the prompts on the screen.

Steps (Memories mobile app)

  1. Tap the plus sign (+) in the circle.
  2. Tap Add Document or Add Photo.
  3. Tap the option that you prefer to use:
    1. Android: Camera or File
    2. Apple iOS: Take Photo, Camera Roll, or My Files

Select a file from your device, and tap Upload. Or use the camera feature to capture the content. Edit the photo, and tap Save.

Steps (Family Tree mobile app)

  1. Tap to open a person's details page.
  2. Tap Memories.
  3. Tap the plus sign icon (+).
  4. Tap Add Document or Add Photo.
  5. Tap an option:
    1. Android: Camera, File, or FamilySearch Gallery
    2. Apple iOS: Take Photo, Camera Roll, My Files, or My FamilySearch Gallery.

Select a file from your device, or from the Gallery, and tap Upload. Or use the camera feature to capture the content. Edit the photo, and tap Save.

Family Tree Lite

Currently, Family Tree Lite does not include the Memories feature. 

After you finish

If the colors display reversed (as negatives) in FamilySearch, please remove the photo. Convert it to a different file format and upload it again.

Tag each photo and document individually so it links to an individual in Family Tree. Add title, event date, event place, and description so your memory item is easier to find. 

In Family Tree, a person's memories appear in the order they were added. You cannot change that order.

How do I add or edit the title of a photo, story, document, or audio file?
Why isn't my photo or document uploaded yet?
How do I tag memories of my ancestors or relatives in Family Tree?
What rules apply to uploading memories to FamilySearch.org?

Was this helpful?