Why does FamilySearch collaborate with other organizations?

Article Id: 948
May 23, 2023

Here are some common questions that we get about FamilySearch alliances. We hope the answers are helpful to you. 

Why does FamilySearch have alliances with for-profit companies?

FamilySearch seeks ways to make it easier and quicker for people everywhere to discover and share their family history. Our collaborations put valuable family tree and historical record collections within reach of a wider audience. FamilySearch members benefit from other genealogical companies' unique technologies.

Who are the companies that FamilySearch collaborates with?

Primary third-party collaborations include the following:

  • Ancestry
  • Findmypast
  • MyHeritage
  • American Ancestors
  • Geneanet

FamilySearch also works with organizations that offer a range of services and technologies that can help your family history work. You can find a complete list of third-party subscriptions in our Solutions Gallery.

Are FamilySearch, MyHeritage, Findmypast, and Ancestry owned by the same company?

No, FamilySearch is a service of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. MyHeritage, Findmypast, and Ancestry are each separate companies.

Will FamilySearch require a paid subscription in the future?

No. You can access FamilySearch at no cost. 

How do FamilySearch patrons benefit from Ancestry, Findmypast, and MyHeritage searches available within FamilySearch?

When you view a person detail page on FamilySearch you can search specific third-party websites. Often, you can discover additional historical records about that person. The search feature provides highly targeted links to information that can enhance the FamilySearch discovery experience. 

How does FamilySearch benefit from the MyHeritage Smart Matching™ technology?

MyHeritage Smart Matching™ is a technology that matches people defined in a MyHeritage family tree with people in other family trees on MyHeritage. Smart Matching does not impact trees on FamilySearch Family Tree.

Does FamilySearch provide records to MyHeritage and Findmypast? If so, are those records available on FamilySearch?

Yes. FamilySearch provides index data for select collections to MyHeritage and Findmypast. We do not provide images to them. However, both indexes and images, where available, are still accessible on FamilySearch.

Users of MyHeritage and Findmypast are able to search and discover more records from FamilySearch’s historical record collection and from the Family Tree. Users can link those records to their family trees on MyHeritage or Findmypast. Users see indicators for matches to FamilySearch records from within their family trees. In addition, users see links to the same individuals in FamilySearch Family Tree when a match to a person exists.

We announce historical record collections under these collaborations as they become available on either third-party company site. All new records from FamilySearch that are accessible from within MyHeritage or Findmypast products continue to be available online at FamilySearch.

Do people have to pay to see records indexed by FamilySearch volunteers?

No. Volunteer-indexed records are available for free on FamilySearch. If you have a subscription to one of our third-party company sites, you can view and use indexes to FamilySearch records on that site as well.

Can I compare and exchange data between my trees on third-party sites with the FamilySearch Family Tree?

Yes, and here are several options:

  • Ancestry allows members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to import up to 4 generations, starting with the authenticated user. You can choose to allow or not allow others to view the tree being imported. Any changes to persons imported can be compared and updated.
  • Findmypast provides its own view of FamilySearch, so all changes are saved to FamilySearch.
  • MyHeritage can import up to 8 generations and compare and exchange data between FamilySearch and a MyHeritage tree.

Can I upload a GEDCOM to a third-party site and have the data transferred into FamilySearch Family Tree?

GEDCOM upload is being considered for development in the future. We are working on the details.

If you want to upload a GEDCOM to our user-submitted genealogies on FamilySearch, follow these steps:
 

  1. Sign in to FamilySearch.
  2. At the top of the page, click Search, followed by Genealogies.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Submit Tree.

After you submit your tree, you can compare your file with Family Tree and transfer missing information.

How do I find third-party company products?
How do I copy information from my GEDCOM file into Family Tree?

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