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Did you know that you can search the FamilySearch Memories Gallery for photos, documents, and artifacts that might be related to your ancestors? Or pictures that provide social context for the times that your ancestors lived?
You can!
While preparing an earlier video, I discovered that you could search FamilySearch photos for images other users shared and find super cool details.
Why Search FamilySearch Memories for Photos Others Posted?
When we look at ancestor profiles, we often see photos posted by others. But what if an image isn't attached to our ancestors but relevant to their history?
Suppose you have relatives that served in a military unit. You might find photos of your ancestors in a group photo. You might see pictures of their ship, battlefield, emblems, and more.
Additionally, you could do social history research. For example, you may want to study more about World War II.
You will see entries for draft registration cards, service certificates, Japan, veterans, and more using the search-by-topic option.
If you click "World War II photo," you'll see several topics: stories, photos, and audio clippings. All these memories connect to World War Two in some way.
These memories may not necessarily name your ancestors, but they can give you a sense of what happened during that era.
There are so many reasons why searching the photos others have posted that aren't tagged to your ancestor can help your research. All you have to do is use the Find option in the FamilySearch Memories Gallery.
How to Search Photos Others Posted on FamilySearch
On FamilySearch.org,
Click Memories
Click Gallery
Then, you will see all the pictures that you've uploaded. But have you ever
considered what the "Find" tab does?
Click on the " "Find" tab.
Other users have uploaded many of these photos, which often contain information that helps us learn more about our ancestors, historical places, and events.
If the uploaded photos include titles, descriptions, dates, and tags, we get to search them!
Then, enter a search term in the search field on the Find Page.
Then choose either:
Search text
Search topic tag.
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FamilySearch Memories: Search By Text
Some search terms you can use include:
Names of vehicles: HMS Defense, USS Midway, Apache Helicopter, Model T, Ford Mustang
Events: Aggie Bonfire, 1956 Olympics, D Day
Military Units: Company K 133rd, Sea Bees, 1st Cavalry Division
Recipes: Cheesecake, Golash, Quiche Lorraine
Associations: Job's Daughters, Shriners, Masonic Lodges, Sororities
You may see many results when you enter such searchers, including pictures, stories, and memorabilia.
How to Link a Memory to Your Ancestor
You can click into the memory if you discover a photo or story about your ancestor. Find the "People" information box.
You may or may not see the names of people already identified in the photo. Regardless, click on the image to tag your ancestors (even if they do not appear in the picture).
A box will prompt you to type in a name to answer the question, "Who is in this memory?"
Type in your ancestor's name.
If you've previously added memories to this ancestor, you'll see an option to select their profile.
If you haven't added memories to their profile, you'll see the option to "Add New." Select that option.
With this second option, you must click the button that says Attach to Family Tree and then find the person in your family tree before you can press the Select button.
Once you select the applicable FamilySearch profile, that memory will appear in your ancestor's gallery.
Why Are Some "People Tags" Not Showing?
If a person in the photo is living, you will not see them tagged in the Person Box. However, if the person is still living but you added them to your private space, you will see them tagged in the photo.
Let me walk you briefly through the steps for searching FamilySearch Memories for photos posted by others that relate to your ancestors.
Can You Link Photos of Objects to Your Profile?
Yes, you can!
In the video above, I saw a drawing of the prison section of the HMS Defense. If your ancestor was kept in the brig or was a sailor who watched the prisoners, you can add that image to your ancestor's profile.
Why Are the Results Not What I Had in Mind?
Not every photo when you use the "Search text" option will relate to what you had in mind. For instance, only one memory was relevant when I typed in Aggie Bonfire. After that, however, I saw photos of people named Aggie and of bonfires in general.
If this happens to you, use the "Search by Topic Tag" option to be more specific.
However, you might have to add additional search terms. For instance, when searching for Company K, 133rd, I had entries for units in locations other than Ohio.
Therefore, I added Company K, 133rd, Ohio, and I had better luck.
Search FamilySearch Memories By Topic Tags
The other way to search is to "Search by topics."
The person who uploaded the photo tagged the pictures.
Try the following topic tags:
Gravestone (and variations)
Names of Cemeteries (i.e., Greenlawn)
Events: WWI, WWII, Pearl Harbor Attack
Occupations: cowboy, railroad, doctor
You can add multiple tags to a search, such as:
Gravestones
Smith Family
However, not all combinations produce the results you want. Users have to add multiple tags for your query to work.
Can I Add More Details to A Memory Shared By Someone Else?
You may not edit the description, dates, and tags if you did not upload a photo. You can only tag your ancestor in the picture. You can also add comments.
In the comments, you can ask for clarification of the photos. For example, "Can you tell me more? Is this 1972? Is it 1962? Please help me understand because my ancestor might be there."
Or you might also share something about a person in the photo, such as,
"My aunt's in the third row. Thanks for sharing." Please start using the Find tab in the FamilySearch Memories section of the website (or the FamilySearch Memories app). May you find something unexpectedly wonderful.