Inside the FamilySearch Mobile Apps - The Family Tree App

The FamilySearch Family Tree app (application or program) is available for both Android and iOS (Apple) mobile devices. You can download the free app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play. From time to time, it is a good idea to review the way these apps work because they are changing just as much as the main FamilySearch.org program is changing (perhaps more). 

There are now millions of these apps available for smartphones. Interestingly, I was in a group of genealogists (which will remain unnamed) all of whom were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the question was asked as to how many had smartphones. There were over 100 people present and only about half raised their hands. When asked how many had downloaded the two FamilySearch.org apps, Family Tree and Memories, there were not even half of those who had previously raised their hands with smartphones that raised their hands. This is probably a very good indicator the the gulf between the younger population and those who are serious about genealogy. Although I doubt that the percentage those who have installed the FamilySearch apps among younger smartphone users would be much higher. I also understand that there may be some significant upgrades to both programs in the not-to-distant future.

This will be a series of posts over the next few days (week or so?) about the FamilySearch.org apps. This is a screenshot of the Family Tree app startup screen. You need to be signed into the app with an LDS account. 

If you click on one of the icons, you can see a slide-out window with different detailed information about that particular individual. The following screenshot shows the detail view of the ancestor. You can click on a field and edit the information.

The next screenshot shows the sources. Right now, you cannot add sources using the Family Tree app but if you click (tap whatever) on a source, the program takes you to the original source on Family Tree.

You can slide the menu items under the photo and basic information, to show additional menu items. The next screenshot shows the photos associated with this ancestor.

One of the menu items allows you to add a story about the individual ancestor. If you select the stories link, you can see any stories that have already been uploaded. If you would like to add a story, you can either key it in using the virtual keyboard or you can dictate the story and let the program use its voice recognition module. You can turn on the microphone at the left of the space bar on the keyboard. It works OK, but you have to speak clearly and very slowly. If you have an external keyboard for your tablet or iPad, this feature would work better.

If you select the link for Audio, you will get this dialog box advising you to use your smartphone to enter the story into the program. The program will record between 10 and 15 minutes of audio. If you have a longer narrative, you will have to divide it into chunks to fit.

You can save off a number of reports by selecting the Charts link. The types of charts presently include, a pedigree chart, a family chart, a family chart with sources, a fan chart and a portrait pedigree, all in PDF format.

Another link on the sliding menu bar is the Ordinance link. You can view the status of the ordinances for any individual in the Family Tree except living people.

Using your device's particular gestures, you can zoom in and see the icons much closer.

Back to the sliding menu, there is a family view with each of the children.

You can also view a history list. As you can tell, many of the features of the full online program are now available in the app.

Another selection allows you to record an audio file of a story and attach it to the individual. There is about a 10 to 15 minute limit for audio recordings.

I already mentioned the stories section, but here is a screenshot of the stories. There is a green plus sign at the bottom of the screen allowing you to add a story. Remember, you can dictate the stories using voice recognition.

In the next post in this series, I will show the Memories app and watch for any changes in both programs.