CETs: Early Preview
What is a CET?
CET is a temporary name for a new, user-owned tree feature being explored by FamilySearch. This new tree feature is separate from the FamilySearch Family Tree and will provide access to all the same powerful research tools, top-tier source data, and collaboration. It is anticipated that this feature will have the following key elements:
- All users can see deceased persons, but only the owner and invited researchers can edit the tree data.
- Tree owners can invite other trusted researchers to join, help build the tree, manage access, and continue research should the owner pass on.
- Record hints will be displayed on ancestors from the billions of historical documents on FamilySearch.
- Users will have access to the same tree-building environment they enjoy in the Family Tree.
- Trees can be created directly from, and synced to, leading 3rd-party genealogy products or by uploading a GEDCOM file.
Who should use a CET?
We anticipate that these user-created 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 CETs different than the FamilySearch Family Tree?
CETs are independent from the main Family Tree and have a specific owner who invites others to collaborate. Only the owner and invited contributors can edit the tree.
Key Features:
Key Features:
- Invite others to edit
- Set tree visibility (public/private)
- Edit tree name and details
- Delete the tree
- Change the starting person
- View tree size
- See GEDCOM import errors
- Private chats for owners and contributors
- Maintain a change log
How are CETs different from Genealogies?
FamilySearch Genealogies is intended as a preservation archive. Trees that users upload to Genealogies are usually placed in the Pedigree Resource File (PRF) collection. The Genealogies interface looks different, and it does not allow users to edit any of the data.
The new tool currently being tested, by comparison, is not intended to merely preserve your tree data. It is compatible with all of the tree-building features and capabilities in Family Tree so that you can conduct online research and document your conclusions.
In time, we are planning to transition away from Genealogies completely. At a future point, all new uploaded GEDCOM files will become CETs (the temporary name for user-created trees). When this happens, important collections and user-contributed data in Genealogies will be moved to the new system.
The new tool currently being tested, by comparison, is not intended to merely preserve your tree data. It is compatible with all of the tree-building features and capabilities in Family Tree so that you can conduct online research and document your conclusions.
In time, we are planning to transition away from Genealogies completely. At a future point, all new uploaded GEDCOM files will become CETs (the temporary name for user-created trees). When this happens, important collections and user-contributed data in Genealogies will be moved to the new system.
Is there a cost to create or access a CET?
Like everything on FamilySearch, this tool is free for anyone who would like to use it.
Which genealogy products will integrate with a FamilySearch CET?
The CET feature is being built to integrate with a wide range of leading desktop and web genealogical software products. Software that integrates with the feature will be able to create a new tree directly from within their product and copy almost all data from the genealogy software into the CET.
Users will be able to edit their tree either in their preferred product or on FamilySearch, and all edits will sync automatically between the trees. Many vendors are currently integrating with CET, but none have yet released updated products with this capability.
Please check with your preferred software vendor for details about availability. At this time, during early access, new CETs must be created via GEDCOM upload.
Users will be able to edit their tree either in their preferred product or on FamilySearch, and all edits will sync automatically between the trees. Many vendors are currently integrating with CET, but none have yet released updated products with this capability.
Please check with your preferred software vendor for details about availability. At this time, during early access, new CETs must be created via GEDCOM upload.
If I don’t have a GEDCOM file, can I start a new CET from scratch?
At this time, the only way to create a CET is by uploading a GEDCOM.
Can I move information from FamilySearch Family Tree to a CET?
During the current early access phase, CETs can only be created by uploading a GEDCOM file. FamilySearch is working with leading genealogical software developers and expects that, in the near future, top developers will support creating and updating CETs directly from their software. FamilySearch's product and engineering teams are also evaluating the potential to allow users to start a new CET by copying data from the Family Tree.
Can my CET be linked to Family Tree?
FamilySearch is developing a feature to identify high-confidence matches between CETs and the main Family Tree. Users can align and copy data between these trees, confirming that individuals in both trees are the same. However, there will be no relationship connections or merging between the trees.
How is a CET different from the Family Groups in Family Tree?
Family Group Trees are part of the FamilySearch Family Tree. Their primary benefit or feature is the ability for group members to share their Family Tree profiles with each other and view the profiles of other relatives who belong to the group.
CETs are not part of the FamilySearch Family Tree. They can contain information about both living and deceased individuals, but the ability to edit is controlled by the tree's owner.
CETs are not part of the FamilySearch Family Tree. They can contain information about both living and deceased individuals, but the ability to edit is controlled by the tree's owner.
Is there a limit to the number of trees or number of individuals in a CET?
During this early access period, FamilySearch users can have a combined total of 10 CETs and Family Group Trees.
There is no limit to the number of individuals in a particular tree.
There is no limit to the number of individuals in a particular tree.
What sources and documentation can be attached to a CET?
Any type of documenting evidence that is supported currently in Family Tree is also supported in a user-created tree. The notes and sources in your GEDCOM file will be imported and displayed in the new CET.
Will I get record hints in my CET?
Record Hinting is fully supported in CETs. All of the people in your tree will be compared with the billions of historical records in FamilySearch, and you will be alerted to potential high-confidence matches.
After evaluating the proposed match, if you determine that the person in the record is the same as the person in your tree, you can use SourceLinker to attach the record.
After evaluating the proposed match, if you determine that the person in the record is the same as the person in your tree, you can use SourceLinker to attach the record.
Can names in CETs be submitted to the temple?
No, at this time, names in CETs must be copied into the FamilySearch Family Tree before ordinances can be requested. FamilySearch's product and engineering teams are currently evaluating the possibility of enabling ordinance qualification and reservation directly within a CET as a future feature.
Why is the option to "view my relationship" missing?
The option to view the user's relationship is not supported in a CET, since the owner and his or her collaborators may not actually be related to the people in the tree.
Can I re-upload my GEDCOM to get updates or make fixes?
No, a CET cannot be updated by uploading a new GEDCOM file. If you are using a genealogical app that is not currently supported by our public API, we recommend waiting until the software is fully integrated and compatible with our product before starting your user-created tree.
What is the best way to view my CET and the FamilySearch Family Tree at the same time?
The best way to view both a CET and the FamilySearch Family Tree simultaneously is to use two distinct browsers, such as Chrome and Safari, or Edge and Firefox.
If you attempt to view a CET and the FamilySearch Family Tree in separate tabs within the same browser, it will likely revert to showing the same tree in both tabs.
By using two different browsers, you can effectively compare the two types of trees side by side.
If you attempt to view a CET and the FamilySearch Family Tree in separate tabs within the same browser, it will likely revert to showing the same tree in both tabs.
By using two different browsers, you can effectively compare the two types of trees side by side.
Why were the notes in my GEDCOM file split up when I created my CET?
Our CET tool currently has a limit of 10,000 characters for notes. The software you used to create your GEDCOM must support a larger character count.