Five Minutes to a First Find: Using FamilySearch’s AI Full-Text Search
- Vicki Tobias
- Nov 18
- 1 min read
This is one of the biggest shifts in records access we’ve had in years.
What just happened (and why it matters) FamilySearch moved Full-Text Search out of Labs and into the main site. It uses AI handwriting/OCR to create searchable transcripts of previously unindexed images, now covering nearly 2 billion records, with more added continually. AMAZING!
At their conference this past spring, RootsTech 2025 spotlighted AI across the field, and this new feature was a headliner in FamilySearch’s messaging and sessions.
How to try it (fast):
Go to Search → Full Text on FamilySearch.
Use the fields for Keywords/Name/Place/Year (range) or even a DGS number to target a film.
Narrow to a specific collection via Browse All Collections.
Power-search with operators: quotes for exact phrases, + to require, - to exclude, ? for single-letter wildcards, * for roots.
Open a hit, read the transcript alongside the image, and cite the image, not just the AI text (treat the transcript as a finding aid).
Pro tips for better hits:
Search for just a surname + locality first; add given names later.
Try wildcards for messy script (e.g., McCart?y).
If you know a film/collection, jump in with DGS to reduce noise.
Always verify: spelling variants, page context, neighboring entries.
Learn more about Full-Text Search and how to use this powerful new tool here:
FamilySearch Full-Text Search (home page)
Full-Text Search Leaves FamilySearch Labs (FamilySearch blog, August 30, 2025)
Tobias History Research is a premier provider of history research and archives management services. With 20+ years of professional experience, founder Vicki Tobias helps clients expertly discover their history and enthusiastically share their stories. Learn more about her services.
