FamilySearch Catalog Learning Center
Learn how to use the FamilySearch Catalog to find the books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications made available by FamilySearch through its website, the FamilySearch Library, and FamilySearch centers worldwide.
Using the catalog: articles
Learn about the new look and feel for the FamilySearch Catalog, which is the result of a recent upgrade.
The FamilySearch Catalog now uses standardized place-names. See what changed, the benefits of change, and how to find a place that the catalog no longer uses.
Search the FamilySearch Catalog to find books, online images, microfilms, or other information to help with your family history and genealogy research.
Use filters in the FamilySearch Catalog to make it easier to locate specific records. The filters appear at the top of the results page.
You can use the print list in the FamilySearch Catalog to save or bookmark items that you want to use later in your research.
To report an error, you can submit a correction request for the FamilySearch Library Catalog.
The information in a FamilySearch Catalog entry is organized into sections, including the Overview, Notes, Subjects, Copies, and Film/Digital Notes.
Some microfilms in the FamilySearch Catalog are unindexed. Learn why and how to identify them.
You can use the FamilySearch Catalog to learn about historical records, including ones you can search and view on our site.
If FamilySearch Catalog has no camera icon for a digitized microfilm, a contractual, data privacy, or other restriction is limiting publication.
Directors of FamilySearch Centers can contact support to add a center to the Availability options in the FamilySearch Catalog.
To buy a book listed in the FamilySearch Digital Library or Catalog, we suggest purchasing it through a bookseller or other sources.
If the images of historical records were not reviewed before publication, the FamilySearch Catalog has the note "This is a preliminary description."
When a book in the FamilySearch Catalog is not in the digital library, you can try several options to get access to it in a different way.
Use the Availability options in the FamilySearch Catalog to find items based on whether they are online or in a FamilySearch library or center.
Using the catalog: videos
In this segment you will learn how to use the FamilySearch Catalog.
This is part of a series on Helping Others Get Started with Family History. This course is designed for consultants, helpers and anyone who wants to learn more about doing family history research. The research process is the key to successful and accurate family history work. In this lesson, you will learn how to use the FamilySearch Catalog to locate records for your ancestors.
This is part of a series on Helping Others Get Started with Family History. This course is designed for consultants, helpers and anyone who wants to learn more about doing family history research. The research process is the key to successful and accurate family history work. In this lesson, you will learn how to do a place search in the FamilySearch Catalog to locate records of your ancestors.
This is part of a series on Helping Others Get Started with Family History. This course is designed for consultants, helpers and anyone who wants to learn more about doing family history research. The research process is the key to successful and accurate family history work. In this lesson, you will learn how to use the places within feature in the FamilySearch Catalog to locate records of your ancestors.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the FamilySearch Catalog?
The FamilySearch Catalog is an extensive guide to genealogical records and resources collected by FamilySearch. The catalog includes materials available in FamilySearch libraries and centers worldwide. The catalog features a wide variety of records, such as:
Since 2014, the FamilySearch Catalog has also been available through OCLC WorldCat, a global catalog that connects over 72,000 libraries in 172 countries. OCLC WorldCat lists more than 2 billion records.
- Birth, marriage, and death records
- Census records
- Church registers
- Books and periodicals
- Images and family histories
- And many other sources of genealogical information
Since 2014, the FamilySearch Catalog has also been available through OCLC WorldCat, a global catalog that connects over 72,000 libraries in 172 countries. OCLC WorldCat lists more than 2 billion records.
Why does the catalog look different?
FamilySearch recently upgraded the catalog for an improved patron experience and to enable us to provide an up to date list of records available at centers and libraries worldwide. For more information, refer to this article.
Why would I use the FamilySearch Catalog?
The FamilySearch Catalog enables researchers to easily access information about records from various FamilySearch resources, all in one place.
Where does information in the FamilySearch Catalog come from?
The record information found in the ctalog comes from various sources, including FamilySearch libraries and centers worldwide and online FamilySearch record databases.
Is everything in the catalog viewable online?
The records found in the catalog are often accessible in physical formats at FamilySearch locations or as digital files online. However, some digital content has restricted access due to contractual obligations, data privacy laws, or specific requirements set by the custodians of the records.
How do I add a FamilySearch Center to the list in the catalog?
If your FamilySearch center is not in the list of FamilySearch centers in the FamilySearch Catalog, please contact FamilySearch Support to request that we add your center to the list.
How do I give feedback about the catalog user experience?
To submit feedback to FamilySearch about the catalog's search and user exeprience, please use the feedback button on the left side of the page. We look forward to hearing from you.
To request a correction to the catalog entries themselves, see How do I request a correction to the FamilySearch Catalog?
To request a correction to the catalog entries themselves, see How do I request a correction to the FamilySearch Catalog?
Where can I learn more about the catalog?
To learn more about the FamilySearch Catalog, visit the FamilySearch Research Wiki or contact FamilySearch Support.