How do I add a parent in Family Tree?

Article Id: 1259
February 28, 2025
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One of the most direct ways to add parents is by linking them to a child already in your tree. You can also add parents directly from the First Ancestor view.

Steps (website)

Landscape, Portrait, Fan Chart, and Descendancy Views

  1. In the top menu, click Family Tree, and then click Tree.
  2. If needed, switch to your private tree or the family group tree where you want to add the person.
  3. Find the person on the tree whose parent you want to add.
  4. Click the person's name. In the details that pop up, click the person's name again. You will be taken to that person’s page.
  5. Click the Details tab.
  6. Scroll down to the Family Members section.
  7. Under Parents and Siblings, click Add Parent.

  8. Click the appropriate tab to add the person:

    • By Name. Enter the details, click Living, and click Next. Verify the information, and click Create person.
    • From FamilySearch Tree. Click this tab to copy someone from your private tree to a family group tree. Then click the person's name. (This option is available when adding someone to a family group tree.)
    • By ID Number. If you know the person's ID number, and if the person is in your private tree or a family group tree that you are part of, click this tab, enter the ID number, and click Next.
    • The Additional Find Options at the bottom of the Add Parent menu gives you the option to search for the parent with their parents, or, if applicable, previous parent. This additional information can make it easier to find a match within Family Tree.

  9. If Family Tree found people who match your search, it lists them. Indicate whether you need to add a matching person or create a new one:

    • If the person is already in Family Tree, click Add Match.
    • If the person is not already in Family Tree, click Create Person.
    • To adjust your search, click Refine Search.

      First Ancestor View

      1. While signed in to FamilySearch.org, click Family Tree, and then click Tree.
      2. Navigate to the child of the parent you want to add.
      3. Above the person's picture, click the + icon.
      4. Click Add Parent.
      5. Enter information about the parent, and click Next, which is available after you click Deceased. (If you know the ID of the parent, click By ID Number.
      6. If Family Tree found people who match your search, it lists them. Indicate whether you need to add a matching person or create a new one:
        • If the person is already in Family Tree, click Add Match.
        • If the person is not in Family Tree, click Create Person.
        • To adjust your search, click Refine Search.

      Steps (mobile app)

      Parents must show before you can add a parent.

      1. In the Family Tree mobile app, switch to your private tree or the family group tree where you want to add the person.
      2. Navigate to the Person page of the individual whose parent you want to add.
      3. Tap the Parents tab.
      4. Tap Add Parent.

      5. Tap the appropriate tab to add the person:

        • Add Person. Enter the details, tap Living, and tap Continue. Verify the information, and tap Add.
        • Copy From My Tree. Tap this tab to copy someone from your private tree to a family group tree. Then tap the person's name. (This option is available when adding someone to a family group tree.)
        • Add By ID. If you know the person's ID number, and if the person is in your private tree or a family group tree that you are part of, tap this tab, enter the ID number, and tap Continue.
      6. Enter information about the parent, and tap Continue. (If you know the ID of the parent, tap Add by ID or Find by ID.)
      7. Review the search results. If you find the right parent, tap Add Match.
      8. If you do not see the person in the search results, tap No Match. 
      9. Review your entry and tap Add or Add This Person to create a new record.

      Steps (Family Tree Lite)

      1. While signed into Family Tree Lite, navigate to the Person page of a child of a parent you want to add.
      2. Click View Family.
      3. Under Parents and Siblings, click Add Parent or Add Another Parent.
      4. Enter information about the parent, and click Next. (If you know the ID of the parent, click Find By ID Number. If you are in a Family Group Tree and the person is already in your tree, click From FamilySearch Tree.)
      5. Review the search results. If you find the right parent, click Add Person. If you find both the mother and father, click Add Couple.
      6. If you do not see the person in the search results, click Create Person.

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