The Church has two family history apps, available for free from the Apple and Google app stores. (Some features work best if you are connected to lots of ancestors.)
FamilySearch Memories is used for photos, recordings or stories on the FamilySearch Family Tree.
Tap the + sign in the circle to take a picture, or write a story or record a 5 minute audio.
FamilySearch Family Tree allows you to use these menus:
Tree: View your ancestors and their families (by clicking the Up arrows or vertical dots)
Tasks: Reserve temple ordinances or attach sources to document people's lives.
Temple: Tap Ordinances Ready to ask for cards that allow you to do temple ordinances.
If you cannot print the cards, write the 16-digit numbers on a
piece of paper and ask the temple office to print the matching
cards. (Or they may scan it from your phone.)
You can also view your existing temple reservations, ordinances you
have shared, etc,
To book an appointment > More (vertical dots) > My Temple > Sign-in and choose time.
Search Historical Records: This is part of researching an ancestor's life.
Find a Person: To search for a deceased person in the Family Tree.
Relatives Around Me: This is s fun group activity, to find if and how you are related.
Map My Ancestors: See where your ancestors came from. Successive taps reveal more details.
Improve Place Names: Help computers to identify place names for better searches, hints, etc.
My Contributions: What contributions have you made to FamilySearch?
Contacts: Who have you added as contacts?
Family Groups: To create and manage FamilySearch Groups for research and ordinances.
Family History Activities: from the website. There are dozens of possibilities. Results will be best if you have connected yourself to lots of ancestors.
Where am I from: shows a map of your ancestors origins.
All about me: What was happening the year you were born? (etc) What
does your name mean? How popular is your name? Where in the world
does your name come from? What were the top news stories and tech
break-throughs when you were born?
What famous people are you related to, and how? Record your story.
Picture yourself dressed for different time periods. etc, etc.
To help other people > Get involved > 3 lines > Opportunities > Name Review
Chat: Send a message to someone who is researching your family or chat in real time.
Notifications: See your notifications from FamilySearch
Memories: You can access the Memories app from here
Screens: I have not found a use for this screen.
Settings: Use the App menu to turn on all the features, especially Show Temple Ordinances
Permissions: This may need to be turned on for Relatives Around Me to work.
Help: Access FamilySearch Support, a FamilySearch Center, Frequently Asked Questions, etc.
Sign Out: I normally stay signed in, but this is an option.
If you see very few ancestors, ask your parents to check their view of the Family Tree. If they see people that you do not see, ask them to help you add the missing people to your view of the family tree. Your ward Temple and Family History Consultants can also help you.
This Youtube video can also help: FamilySearch: When Your Family Tree
Is Empty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDTXfIXvxtM
- Bill Buchanan - November 2023
