How to Use FamilySearch Full-Text Search (AI Reads Old Handwritten Records)

Send us Fan MailFamilySearch Full-Text Search is now a full feature — no more digging through the Labs experiment — and it may be your new best friend for breaking through brick walls. In this Gathering Academy lesson, accredited genealogist Colette Hokanson shows you step by step how to use the AI that reads old cursive and typed documents and makes them searchable, so you can find records that were once locked away on microfilm.Colette demonstrates real searches on her own Welsh family (and her grandfather's 1944 marriage record), covering how to search, narrow, read, edit, download, and attach these records to your tree. She also shares a stunning library success story: a guest with Arkansas roots found their ancestor named in a Scottish uncle's probate — instantly carrying the family "across the pond."📌 Your homework this week: Try Full-Text Search. Go one or two generations back, type in names, and see what records come up — especially for ancestors who owned land. Don't be afraid to click around; you can't break anything.🔑 Key tips from the lesson:- Find it under Search → Full-Text on the FamilySearch main page (log in first)- Search by KEYWORDS rather than the name field — Colette gets more results that way- Put names in "quotes" to keep them together, and try spelling variations (George, "Geo," "G Smith")- Use wildcards: * replaces multiple letters (e.g., Car* for Carsten/Carson), and it likes at least three letters- Start BROAD, then narrow by place, year, collection, or record type — narrowing too soon makes you miss records- Collection titles aren't always exact — a titled collection may contain many other records- Use "Summarize the document" (AI) to get a quick plain-language summary you can copy into notes or Memories- Read the transcript panel, edit misread words with the pencil, and download as JPEG and/or PDF- Save the image group number and citation — you'll need them if a page is missing or you want the original🎥 Listening on audio? Watch the video version on YouTube to follow along with the screen demonstrations. All lessons are under the "Gathering Academy" playlist.Q: What is FamilySearch Full-Text Search?A: It's a FamilySearch feature that uses AI to read handwritten (cursive) and typed historical documents and make them searchable — similar to OCR. It surfaces records like deeds, probates, and wills that previously would have taken years to find on microfilm.Q: Do I still have to use FamilySearch Labs to access it?A: No. Full-Text Search is now a full feature — log in to FamilySearch and find it under the Search menu (Search → Full-Text). It used to live only in Labs.Q: What's the best way to search in Full-Text Search?A: Start with the Keywords field (often more results than the name field), put names in quotes, and try spelling variations and wildcards (*). Begin with a broad search, then narrow by place, year, collection, or record type.Q: Can I save a Full-Text record to my family tree?A: Yes. Use "Save record / Attach to person in family tree," give it a clear title and date, add notes, add it to your source box (useful when many people appear in one document), then attach it to the person — and to relatives named in the same record if you like.Q: What can Full-Text Search help me find?A: Records that were once nearly impossible to search — deeds, probates, wills, and more — including ancestors mentioned inside someone else's document (like being named in a relative's probate), which can extend your line to another country.👉 Watch the full episode: [PASTE FULL EPISODE LINK]▶️ WATCH & LISTEN🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinningoftheveil🌐 Website: https://www.thinningoftheveil.com🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinning-of-the-veil/id1753511394🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6jWCfMHkZXwnSwy2b98J4M🎵 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a0a45561-d4c2-46d3-af8d-a1e967a21a25📖 BOOKPatterns of Revelation — Spiritual Foundations for Hearing God's Voice: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MG9B📱 CONNECTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinning.of.the.veilFacebook Group (Gathering of the Gatherers): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1429562078443774Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thinningoftheveil💛 SUPPORT THE SHOWVenmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/thinningoftheveilPayPal: https://paypal.me/thinningoftheveil✉️ Have you had a thinning of the veil experience? Email [email protected] — your testimony may be exactly what someone needs to hear.#GatheringAcademy #FullTextSearch #FamilySearch #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #AIGenealogy #BrickWall #ProbateRecords #LatterDaySaints #ThinningOfTheVeilSupport the show