How to Link Family Videos to the FamilySearch Family Tree

Do you have home videos that you want to easily share with your family members? Learn how to share videos from YouTube to people on FamilySearch. to make it easier to share your family stories with others.

FamilySearch Doesn't Allow Video Uploads

While FamilySearch does not allow you to upload videos to its platform, that doesn't mean you can't share family history videos using the platform.

You first have to find videos on YouTube or upload home movies to your own channel. If you're not sure how to do this, thankfully, I have you covered check out the following training:

• YouTube: A Library of Learning and Family Bonding

• How to Share Family History Videos By Using YouTube

Once you have a video that you want to link to FamilySearch, the next step is to grab the URL for the video. On the YouTube page for the video:

• Click the "Share" text or arrow.

• Click the word "Copy" beside the URL

This will save the URL to your computer or device's clipboard.

Grab a Still From the Video for FamilySearch

You'll an image to make this FamilySearch tip work.

• Play the video on YouTube

• Create a screen capture

  • Print Screen Button on Windows

  • Shift + Command + 4 on Macs

• Crop the image in a photo editing program (I used Paint on my Windows machine)

• Save the image as a jpg file.

To see how to link a video to FamilySearch, watch this training.

Create a Story in the Memory Section of FamilySearch to Share a Video

In the FamilySearch Memories Page (or Tab), you'll see four options: Photos, Documents, Stories, and Audio.

Navigate to the Stories Section, then do the following:

• Click "Create Story."

• Upload your saved image.

• Key in a title for the story, such as "VIDOE; An Interview with Richard Kevern."

• In the story section, type the story and then the phrase "click here to watch" followed by the URL.

  • Or, add begin with the phrase "Click Here to Watch," then the URL, then the description of the video.

Now you have a quick way to share videos via FamilySearch Memories with your relatives. They can stumble upon these memories that link to videos, and then they can go watch them over on YouTube.

If you have further questions on how to do things in FamilySearch, please let me know.

↪️ Are you new to genealogy? Grab your copy of this FREE Beginner Guide:

For more family history tips and tricks

Make sure you're getting the most out of using FamilySearch or that you're preserving your family history by reading the following articles:

• FamilySearch App: How To Do Genealogy Research With a Smartphone or Tablet

• How to Use FamilySearch.org Hints to Easily Do Genealogy

• How to Preserve the Treasures in Your Home

• The Most Important Thing To Do In Genealogy This Year