What's New at Ancestry and FamilySearch

At our Zoom meeting this week we discussed some new or modified features at Ancestry and FamilySearch. Reminder: Ancestry is a subscription website, while FamilySearch is free. There is a link to each website in the menu to the right.

Ancestry

We talked about the "Suggestions" that the site provides when your search result is opened. The suggested records are based on what other researchers have found. Many will apply to your ancestor but some may not. Just be sure you analyze them carefully before deciding to use them.

The card catalog in Ancestry's search field is underused. It now shows all "new" databases when you open it. You can filter your search by category, location and/or date. You can also search the catalog by title or keyword. When I used "1880 U.S. Census" in each, results were different; the keyword search was more broad.

We reminded members to check the "About this Database" information below the search field and to take advantage of the "Browse the Image" opportunities.

Ancestry has completed the digitizing of the WWII young men's draft cards. There are also new databases for Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico and Norway. Use the card catalog to look for them.

FamilySearch 

We reviewed some of the features in the Family Tree area, including changes to the merging process, what to do with "Unfinished Attachments," and the selections called "Following" and "My Contributions" under the Family Tree search tab.

Under the Search tab we looked at the "Genealogies" selection, where you can look for ancestors who might be included in family trees submitted in the past. This is also where you will find your tree if you uploaded to FamilySearch in the past few years.

FamilySearch also has a new feature called "Images" that you can find under the search bar. Here you can use a locality search to find microfilm that has been digitized but is not yet indexed. Any records found here can be attached to your ancestors on Family Tree.

FamilySearch has begun an Online Consultation feature where you can register for a 20-minute help session with an expert at the Family History Library (40 minutes for a DNA question). Look for this in the Wiki under "Virtual Research Strategy Sessions." There is a bookings form where they will walk you through your request. Be sure to provide as much information as possible.

FamilySearch has also revised their search capability by allowing us to enter more than one related person. You can use spouses, parents, siblings or children's names to help narrow your search.