The FamilySearch Family Tree Descendancy View

If you are looking for research opportunities in FamilySearch.org's Family Tree program, it is essential that you use the descendancy view. For some basic instruction on the use and functions of the Descendancy View in Family Tree, please refer to the instructions on FamilySearch.org in the Learning Center. These very specific instructions should be followed from their written version. There is also a supporting video version of the instructions, but it will not be completely understandable without working through the written instructions. Here is a screenshot of the basic PDF version of the instructions from Level One:

All of these detailed instructions for using the Family Tree program are contained in the Family Tree Training Lessons and Videos.

You may well question why this particular view of the Family Tree is valuable. There are several reasons:

• This is the only view of the data in Family Tree that shows the icons indicating problems or lack of supporting sources for the data. It is extremely important to have this information when you begin working with the program. Although these icons are helpful, they do not address all of the problems with the data and you should always make sure that you are really related to anyone in the Family Tree.
• This view gives you the most information about each of the families in the Family Tree. From the Descendancy View, you can see people who are related to you as uncles, aunts or cousins and are therefore legitimately available for you to investigate as potential candidates for Temple ordinances.
• The Descendancy View is the easiest view to show multiple marriages and incorrectly attached children. 
• The Descendancy View points out missing or incomplete entries for spouses or children's names most graphically.

There are likely many other reasons for using the Descendancy View when investigating your family in FamilySearch Family Tree.