The official family tree app for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is FamilySearch Family Tree, available at FamilySearch.org and as a mobile app for iOS and Android. It is a free, collaborative genealogy platform where users build one shared global family tree, with LDS members using it to identify ancestors for temple ordinances, while anyone—regardless of religion—can use it for family history research.
Background: Why the LDS Church Runs a Family Tree App
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the LDS Church or Mormons) has collected genealogical records since the 1890s, driven by the belief that families can be eternally connected through sacred ordinances performed in temples. This doctrine makes identifying ancestors a religious duty for members. The Church’s Genealogical Society of Utah, founded in 1894, eventually became FamilySearch International, which now operates the world’s largest free genealogy website. The current FamilySearch Family Tree launched in 2013, replacing the older new.FamilySearch.org system, which had become unwieldy due to duplicate records and limited collaboration features. Today, FamilySearch is not just for LDS members—anyone can create a free account and use the tree, records, and DNA tools.
How the Family Tree App Works
FamilySearch Family Tree is a single, shared tree rather than a personal tree. When you add an ancestor, you are adding them to a global database that other users can also edit. This collaborative model means you might find distant cousins have already added generations you didn’t know about. Key features include:
- Pedigree view: A visual chart of your direct ancestors, with color-coded icons showing which individuals have attached sources, memories, or completed temple ordinances.
- Person page: Each ancestor has a dedicated page with vital information, family relationships, sources, notes, and a timeline of events.
- Source linker: A tool that suggests historical records (census, birth, marriage, death) from FamilySearch’s billions of indexed records, allowing you to attach them as evidence.
- Memories: You can upload photos, stories, and audio recordings to an ancestor’s page, preserving family heritage.
- Ordinance view: For LDS members, this shows which temple ordinances (baptism, confirmation, sealing) have been performed and which are still needed for deceased ancestors.
- Mobile app: The FamilySearch Tree app includes a “Nearby” feature that uses GPS to find ancestors who lived near your current location, and a “Photo” feature that uses facial recognition to suggest photo tags.
How to Choose the Right Family Tree App for You
If you are an LDS member, FamilySearch Family Tree is the standard and integrates directly with temple systems. For non-members, the choice depends on your goals. Here are factors to consider:
- Collaboration vs. privacy: FamilySearch is open and shared; Ancestry and MyHeritage allow private trees unless you choose to share.
- Record access: FamilySearch offers free access to its records; Ancestry and MyHeritage require subscriptions for most records.
- DNA integration: Ancestry, 23andMe, and MyHeritage have large DNA databases; FamilySearch has a separate DNA tool (FamilySearch DNA) that doesn’t match against other companies’ data.
- Ease of use: For beginners, Ancestry’s hints and user interface are often considered more intuitive, while FamilySearch’s collaborative model can be confusing at first.
- Religious features: Only FamilySearch has the ordinance view and temple-ready integration.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the LDS Church’s family tree app is only for members. In reality, FamilySearch is open to everyone, and many non-members use it for research. Another issue is the “one tree” model: since anyone can edit, you may encounter conflicting information or even vandalism. The Church has a “Change Log” that records all edits, and users can revert changes. Another frequent problem is duplicate records—even though the system tries to merge duplicates, you may still see multiple entries for the same person. The app also has a steep learning curve for new users, especially when understanding relationship paths and source citations. Finally, some users worry about privacy: FamilySearch only shows living people to the user who created them, and you can set privacy levels for your own information.
Costs and Accessibility
FamilySearch Family Tree is completely free—no subscription, no hidden fees. The Church funds it through donations and volunteer labor. The mobile apps are also free. There is no premium tier, though some advanced features like “FamilySearch Labs” (experimental tools) are available to all users. The website is available in over 30 languages, and the mobile apps support multiple languages as well. The Church also operates over 4,000 family history centers worldwide where users can get free one-on-one help and access some restricted records.
Safety and Accuracy
Because it is a collaborative tree, accuracy depends on users citing sources. FamilySearch encourages attaching records as evidence, but it does not require them. The system has a “Reason” field where you can explain why you made a change. There is no automated fact-checking, so genealogists advise verifying information against original records. The Church’s own guidelines stress that temple ordinances should only be performed for individuals who are confirmed deceased, and the system checks dates against the Social Security Death Index and other records. For privacy, living individuals are never shown in the public tree; only the user who entered them can see them. The app also offers a “List of Sources” feature to help you evaluate reliability.
Alternatives and Comparisons
While FamilySearch is the LDS Church’s official app, other popular family tree apps include:
- Ancestry: Largest DNA database and record collection, but subscription-based. Allows private trees, and offers “ThruLines” to find ancestors through DNA matches.
- MyHeritage: Strong in European records, offers photo colorization and animation, and has a free basic tree with paid subscriptions for advanced features.
- Findmypast: Excellent for British and Irish records, with a free tree and pay-per-view records.
- WikiTree: A free, collaborative tree that emphasizes sourcing and a “trusted list” of genealogists.
- Gramps: A free, open-source desktop program for offline tree management.
For LDS members, FamilySearch is essential because it connects to temple work. For non-members, a combination of FamilySearch (for free records) and a subscription service (for DNA and hints) often works well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the FamilySearch Family Tree app really free? Yes, completely free. There are no subscription fees, and the Church does not sell user data. You can create an account with just an email address.
Can non-members use the FamilySearch app? Absolutely. The app is open to everyone. You don’t need to be a member of the LDS Church to create an account, build your tree, or search records. The only feature restricted to members is the temple ordinance view.
How do I find my ancestors on FamilySearch? Start by entering your immediate family, then work backward. The app will suggest records and possible matches. You can also search the global tree for a person by name and date, but be careful to verify they are your ancestor before attaching them to your line.
What is the difference between FamilySearch and Ancestry? FamilySearch is free and collaborative, with a single shared tree. Ancestry is paid and allows private trees, plus it offers DNA testing and a larger record collection. Many genealogists use both: FamilySearch for free records and Ancestry for DNA and hints.
How do I perform temple ordinances through the app? If you are a member with a Church account, you can view an ancestor’s “Ordinances” tab. You can then reserve ordinances to be performed, or print a card to take to a temple. The app will show which ordinances have already been done to avoid duplication.
Is there a way to see who edited my ancestors? Yes, on each person’s page there is a “Change Log” that lists every edit, with the user’s name and date. You can also revert changes if you disagree.
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