Researcher Trees: Early Preview
What are Researcher Trees?
Researcher Trees is for skilled family history researchers who want to collaborate with other skilled researchers.
Researcher Trees is a new FamilySearch tree feature where only the owner and invited contributors can edit. Contributors can upload a GEDCOM file, view and edit it on FamilySearch, invite other FamilySearch users to also edit it, get record hints from FamilySearch, and share their research.
Who should use Researcher Trees?
We anticipate that Researcher Trees will especially appeal to:
- Skilled family history researchers who maintain an "official" copy of their tree offline but would like to share or preserve the information online.
- Historical and genealogical societies.
- Family organizations.
How are Researcher Trees different than FamilySearch Family Tree?
The FamilySearch Researcher Trees are separate and distinct family trees and are independent from the FamilySearch Family Tree.
While Researcher Trees are displayed and edited using the same user interface as Family Tree, they are owned by a specific user who determines who else can make changes to the data in it. Researcher Trees also have tools that the owner can use to manage the tree, such as the ability to:
While Researcher Trees are displayed and edited using the same user interface as Family Tree, they are owned by a specific user who determines who else can make changes to the data in it. Researcher Trees also have tools that the owner can use to manage the tree, such as the ability to:
- Invite other users to edit the tree.
- Set the visibility of the tree to public or private.
- Edit the tree's name and other details.
- Delete the tree.
- Change the starting person of the tree.
- Understand the size of the tree.
- See any errors that occurred during the GEDCOM import.
- Private chat for owners and contributors.
- Tree change log of all edits in the trees.
How are Researcher Trees different from Genealogies?
The GEDCOM files in Pedigree Resource File will eventually be moved into Researcher Trees. Until this move occurs, users can delete their existing file and upload new ones.
Researcher Trees will allow users to curate their tree online using all of FamilySearch's tree building tools: record hints, search, editing and invite others that the trust to help them.
Researcher Trees will allow users to curate their tree online using all of FamilySearch's tree building tools: record hints, search, editing and invite others that the trust to help them.
Is there a cost to use Researcher Trees?
Like everything on FamilySearch, this is free.
Which genealogy products integrate with Researcher Trees?
Researcher Trees is designed to integrate with genealogical software. FamilySearch is communicating with venders of genealogical software. Check with your preferred software provider for availability.
Researcher Trees can currently be created by uploading a GEDCOM file.
Researcher Trees can currently be created by uploading a GEDCOM file.
If I don’t have a GEDCOM file, can I start a new researcher tree from scratch?
Currently the only way to create a Researcher Tree by GEDCOM upload.
Can I move information from FamilySearch Family Tree to Researcher Trees?
Currently the only way to create a researcher tree by GEDCOM upload. We expect in the near future you will be able to create a Researcher Tree using genealogical software.
How is Researcher Trees different from the Family Groups in Family Tree?
Family Group Trees are part of FamilySearch Family Tree and allow family members to share access to the information about the living people in Family Group.
Researcher Trees trees are not part of the FamilySearch Family Tree. Researcher Trees trees contain both living and deceased people. Viewing and editing are controlled by the tree's owner.
Researcher Trees trees are not part of the FamilySearch Family Tree. Researcher Trees trees contain both living and deceased people. Viewing and editing are controlled by the tree's owner.
Is there a limit to the number of trees or number of individuals in a Researcher Tree?
During this early access period, you can have up to 10 Researcher Trees. There is no limit to the number of individuals in a tree.
What sources and documentation can be placed into a Researcher Tree?
The notes and sources in your GEDCOM file will be imported and displayed in your Researcher Tree.
Will I get record hints in my Researcher Trees?
Record hinting is coming soon. Your trees will be compared against FamilySearch Historical Records, and you will be able to attach records using Source Linker.
Can my Researcher Trees be linked to Family Tree?
FamilySearch is designing a future feature that will identify high confidence matches between Researcher Trees and Family Tree. Users will be able to align and copy data across the two trees. Users can save the conclusion that the two people in the different trees are the same, but there will be no relationship connections or merging between trees.
Can names in Researcher Trees be submitted for temple work?
No. To be submitted for temple work, the names currently need to be copied into FamilySearch Family Tree.