(Video Show Notes) There are millions of free genealogy records published by FamilySearch that could never be found until now! Here’s the new Full Text search tool featuring A.I. that can help you uncover exciting clues about your ancestors. Every family history sleuth should be using this. (The ending of this video was a surprise to me!)
Watch the Video on Full-Text Search at FamilySearch
Download the Show Notes Cheat Sheet. (Premium Membership required.)
Things to Keep in Mind with Full-Text Search
Full Text Search allows access to unindexed records.
Using filters can refine search results effectively.
Be sure to explore all pages of large records.
Download the records with source information.
User feedback helps improve FamilySearch tools and influence their decision making.
AI is enhancing the accessibility of genealogical records in a big way.
Transcription editing can be done collaboratively.
FamilySearch will eventually be integrating Full-Text Search into the main search.
Full-Text Search is now integrated into the AI Research Assistant in Labs.
Access the Tools At FamilySearch
FamilySearch home page (free genealogy records).
Full-Text Search at FamilySearch
AI Research Assistant at FamilySearch
Full-Text Search Video Chapters
0:00 Introduction
01:18 How to find FamilySearch Full-Text Search (Update: As of 8/30/25 Full Text Search has been released from Labs and is now found under “Search” in the menu.)
02:00 How to find FamilySearch Labs
02:45 Why it matters
03:22 How to search for an ancestor
03:49 Filtering records
04:18 How to navigate a full-text record
06:45 Ancestor found in probate record
07:23 Downloading records with citations
08:30 How to improve the readability of the record
09:23 How to edit the transcript
10:20 Downloading and copying the transcript
10:37 How to provide feedback and request records for Full-Text Search
11:22 Which records will be available with Full-Text Search
12:16 AI for family stories Storied
13:27 The future of Full-Text Search at FamilySearch
13:58 Full-Text in AI Research Assistant
Video Sponsor: Storied
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My goodness, Lisa. You must really love that man and he knows it! You are a good sport, girl!
Love your VERY informative podcasts.
You are looking so good, too. The Lord continue to bless your work and your health.
Writing from New Brunswick, Canada
He knows I’m crazy for him! 😉 Happily we’ve been blessed to always be on the same page these 41 years. Lovely to know you’re watching from beautiful Canada.
Thank you, I’ve been wanting to know how to use this feature on Family Search. I’ve tried it a few times with no results. I will try it again after your help.
You’re very welcome. Full-Text search is well worth the effort.
Well, Lisa, you love the pool. Right! On another subject. I started to take your course on FTM university. But I can’t even log in. It says “fatal error”! REALLY? The month is almost over and I can’t get in TODAY! Yesterday I got in but couldn’t type on the lines to do a Google search for books! Help! My info is below. Thanks Lisa. Been listening to you since 2009!
Yes Connie, I LOVE The pool! I will email you directly and ensure you can access the course. Please note that you don’t search or type on the course documents. You’ll need to go to Google.com in a new web browser tab to do that. The course material pages are not interactive. Perhaps that caused the error you encountered. Talk to you soon!
I hit a jackpot with these! I tried it very briefly when it first came out but didn’t keep using it. Today I went back and looked for my 3x grandfather. I got lots of legal records!! Still have not found his brother 🙁
Fantastic, thanks for sharing!
I have a question. Could mom been pregnant when the dad died? You said since dad died in 1814 and Jr was born in 1814. She could have been pregnant since it does take nine months.
Yes, I said in the video that AI was incorrect in assuming Jr. could not have been born after Dad died. It’s a great example of the reasoning that AI still doesn’t have.