FamilySearch Wiki:About Us

= Ways to use the Wiki to find an ancestor =



In the Wiki, you will find:


 * Links to record collections where your ancestor's information could be found.
 * Research advice for how to approach research problems.

You won't search for names in the Wiki - instead, search for places and topics to discover the records that could contain your ancestors' information.

To use the Wiki in searching for an ancestor:


 * Think about what you want to know about the ancestor
 * Consider the location where that event may have happened
 * Think about other records that may possibly contain the information you need
 * Work backward, rather than forward (look for a death record before searching for a marriage record)
 * Think about the record trail that we all leave behind

It is helpful to know:


 * A possible location
 * A time period

Case Study Examples
The following case studies show how researchers used the Wiki to lead them to further information about their ancestors. Click on the case you would like to view. Each of these cases involved different research needs, methods of searching, and results. They are good examples of how the Wiki can be used to help find information that would lead to the desired results.

Valuable Resources
Additional advice can be found on:


 * Help:Keys to Success using the Wiki
 * Success Stories
 * Rookie Mistakes
 * Family History for Beginners
 * Identify What you Know
 * Obtain and Search the Records
 * Use the Information
 * Researching in the FamilySearch Wiki: A Case Study(video)



One of the following articles can help you decide where to look first for a puzzling:


 * Name Variation
 * Date
 * Place
 * Easiest to Research Person and Event
 * Record Type to Use