Menu

What Latter-day Saints can expect from FamilySearch and the Family Tree app in 2023

For Latter-day Saints with New Year’s resolutions aimed toward family history work and finding the names of deceased ancestors to take to the temple, FamilySearch has provided a glimpse into what can be expected in the coming year.

Along with RootsTech 2023, FamilySearch patrons can anticipate free access to more of the world’s genealogy records, new search capabilities, more technological innovations and new Family Tree App features, according to a news release.

RootsTech 2023

After two years of being completely online, RootsTech 2023 — the world’s largest family history conference — will once again include an in-person event in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, March 2-4.

Registration is open for RootsTech 2023. The event will be both online and in person this year.
RootsTech registration is open for RootsTech 2023. The event will be both online and in-person this year. | Screenshot from RootsTech

The annual event, which continues to grow and reach millions worldwide, helps patrons make new family connections; learn helpful tips for building a family tree; explore new products, technology and services; and be inspired by insightful keynotes and speakers.

Learn more about RootsTech and register at RootsTech.org.

Related Stories
What will RootsTech 2023 look like? RootsTech team participates in live Q&A
How do I register for RootsTech 2023?

Access to more free records

In recent years, FamilySearch has focused on gathering new genealogical records from select countries to provide patrons with more opportunities for discovering their ancestral roots.

In 2023, new homeland countries of focus will be the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Luxembourg, Nicaragua and Uganda. 

FamilySearch will make significant additions to the online collections of Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.

FamilySearch will also finish publishing the complete 1950 U.S. Census online, including territories and additional data known as “schedules,” in early 2023.

Related Story
How many names in the 1950 U.S. census have been reviewed? Plus, how to help

“It will likely be the most searched U.S. genealogical collection online for the next decade,” according to a FamilySearch news release.

Along with expanded online record collections, FamilySearch has been preserving oral genealogies from 18 African countries. The information gathered from more than 1 million oral genealogy interviews will be used to build new family trees, which will be searchable at FamilySearch.org for the first time this year.

Handwriting recognition technology

In 2021 and 2022, more than 100 million Spanish-language records were made searchable through new handwriting recognition technology, thanks to online volunteers.

This year FamilySearch plans to expand the reach of its handwriting recognition technology by launching new initiatives for Get Involved volunteers, including millions of native Italian records. Other records are also currently available in Portuguese, Spanish and English.

“Get Involved” allows online volunteers to use handwriting recognition technology to create searchable database for genealogical records.
“Get Involved” allows online volunteers to use handwriting recognition technology to create searchable database for genealogical records. | FamilySearch screengrab

Because online volunteers are so essential in assisting with this work, a new dashboard feature will enable volunteers to see how their efforts are making a difference.

“They will see how often a name they indexed was found by a patron and attached to a patron’s tree as a source,” the news release said. “They will also be able to see how they have contributed to each country when they help with other Get Involved projects in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese records.” 

Related Story
FamilySearch’s new Get Involved app allows you to do simple family history tasks in seconds

New Family Tree app features

Patrons can watch for the following new Family Tree app features in 2023:

  • Chinese patrons will have the ability to create printable, decorative tree designs from their Family Tree data.
  • Members of family groups will be able to collaboratively add and share memories with one another about living or deceased relatives. They will also be able to collaborate with one another on adding facts and sources for a living relative.

Learn more about FamilySearch at FamilySearch.org.

Related Stories
How the FamilySearch Tree mobile app is making family history work easier than ever before
A look at FamilySearch events and milestones in 2021
Newsletters
Subscribe for free and get daily or weekly updates straight to your inbox
The three things you need to know everyday
Highlights from the last week to keep you informed