FamilySearch Get Involved icon
FamilySearch Get Involved: Transforming Historical Record Verification Through Community Effort

by FamilySearch International

4.4
IOSReference
FamilySearch Get Involved enables users to verify AI-extracted names from historical documents. This crowdsourcing platform helps improve genealogical database accuracy while making historical preservation accessible to casual contributors.

Detailed Review

FamilySearch Get Involved represents a novel approach to genealogical data verification by leveraging community participation to enhance machine learning accuracy. Developed by FamilySearch International, the iOS application addresses a critical challenge in historical preservation: while optical character recognition technology can scan millions of documents, it frequently misinterprets handwritten or degraded text from census records, birth certificates, and other historical documents. The application's core functionality centers on presenting users with digitized historical documents where names have been automatically extracted. Users verify or correct these extractions through a streamlined interface that provides necessary contextual translations. The system supports multiple languages without requiring linguistic expertise, as interface elements and instructions appear in the user's preferred language while maintaining the original document's integrity. Each verified entry contributes directly to FamilySearch's massive genealogical database, making previously unsearchable individuals discoverable to family historians worldwide. User experience prioritizes accessibility and efficiency, with an intuitive onboarding process that trains contributors in proper verification techniques. The interface design minimizes cognitive load by presenting one record at a time with clear comparison between machine-extracted text and original document images. Real-world usage patterns show the application being utilized during short breaks, as a productive alternative to social media scrolling, or as dedicated genealogical volunteer work. The gamified element of tracking corrected names provides tangible feedback on contributions. User feedback consistently highlights the application's addictive quality and sense of purpose, with multiple reviewers noting it has replaced their social media usage. Marching_Band ❤️ (September 21, 2024) reported indexing nearly 1,500 names in one month, describing the experience as 'SO MUCH FUN.' Several users, including Carter Filion (June 1, 2025), appreciate the ability to contribute meaningfully during spare moments. However, some limitations emerge in user comments, with I am M05e5 (June 29, 2025) noting difficulty with cursive handwriting interpretation, indicating potential barriers for users unfamiliar with historical penmanship. The application's primary strength lies in its effective crowdsourcing model that benefits both genealogical research and participant engagement. It successfully transforms a technical challenge into an accessible activity requiring no specialized training. Limitations include dependence on document availability across languages and potential frustration with difficult-to-read historical handwriting. Ideal use cases include short-burst verification sessions, educational applications for history students, and meaningful screen time alternatives for those interested in contributing to historical preservation.

Key Features

  • Multi-language document verification with translated interface elements enables global participation without linguistic expertise
  • Streamlined correction interface presents machine-extracted names alongside original documents for efficient validation
  • Progress tracking system allows users to monitor their contribution impact through verified name counts
  • Onboarding tutorial provides comprehensive training in historical document interpretation techniques
  • Diverse document types including census records, birth certificates, and immigration documents ensure varied engagement
  • Continuous database updating ensures corrections immediately improve FamilySearch's genealogical search capabilities

Why Users Love It

Meaningful micro-contribution model
Accessible historical preservation

Perfect for: Genealogy enthusiasts and history-interested mobile users seeking productive screen time

Screenshots

FamilySearch Get Involved screenshot 1FamilySearch Get Involved screenshot 2FamilySearch Get Involved screenshot 3FamilySearch Get Involved screenshot 4FamilySearch Get Involved screenshot 5

User Reviews

Marching_Band ❤️
Sep 22, 2024

THIS HAS REPLACED MY SOCIAL MEDIA. In one month I almost quick indexed 1500 names. I feel so much more productive. It is also fascinating to look at all these documents. I am a young person and I love it. I have showed the other people in my Young Women class how to do it. SO MUCH FUN THIS HAS REPLACED MY SOCIAL MEDIA. In one month I almost quick indexed 1500 names. I feel so much more productive. It is also fascinating to look at all these documents. I am a young person and I love it. I have showed the other people in my Young Women class how to do it.

Carter Filion
Jun 1, 2025

This app is a great tool! It is something that I try to substitute for mindless scrolling or while I have a few minutes of spare time! Overall 6/5 stars & am looking forward to them continuing to add new countries to the app. 6/5 stars This app is a great tool! It is something that I try to substitute for mindless scrolling or while I have a few minutes of spare time! Overall 6/5 stars & am looking forward to them continuing to add new countries to the app.

JohnSmith3627
Jun 20, 2024

EDIT June 2024: Bug Alert: Clicking "Not a Person" causes a bug where the next name shown has the same incorrect name written in the suggestion box above it. Example: Clicking "Not a Person" on the word VICTORIA (referring to Victoria, Australia) then goes on to the next name. It shows someone's name, but the suggestion box above it now says VICTORIA. ---------- EDIT December 2023: I am happy to report that the "All Names Reviewed" feature within "My Contributions" appears to be working again! The bar chart also appears to be working again. Also, the new volunteering stats (like the "People" section) are very cool to see. ---------- EDIT July 2023: The "My Contributions" section is still completely broken in many ways. Doesn't even count your contributions. My number of contributions for multiple months is shown as ZERO. Very upsetting. Please try to fix this. ---------- Such a great way to volunteer my time! App is designed well. ---------- EDIT March 2023: App suddenly stopped counting contributions towards the bar chart and the total number of names corrected. FamilySearch.org/GetInvolved on a computer still correctly adds to the "Names Corrected" counter inside the "Name Review" square. The app no longer adds to the counter! ---------- Also, please start counting Place-Name Correction/Verification, Indexing, etc into the counter/bar charts so that volunteers can see the number of things they have helped to correct (or verify) for all volunteering opportunities, as opposed to only seeing the number of corrections made for the Name Review volunteering opportunity. ---------- Review will change back to 5 stars after the major bug is fixed! ---------- EDIT 13 March 2023: I logged out, deleted the app, redownloaded the app, logged in, and reviewed more names. The bug is not fixed; My changes are not being counted towards the monthly or total "All Names Reviewed" under the "My Contributions" tab. Names I review on the app do not update the My Contributions numbers on the app or the website, whereas names I review on the website still correctly update the My Contributions numbers on both the website and the app. I believe this problem started with the newest software update (Version 1.4.0). ---------- EDIT March 2023: the edit counters in the "My Contributions" tab seem to be fixed now! (app Version 1.4.1) ---------- EDIT April 2023: the "My Contributions" counter is broken again... my contributions are not being counted, so my total number is starting the same and my April edits counter is staying at zero... Great app (with a few bugs) EDIT June 2024: Bug Alert: Clicking "Not a Person" causes a bug where the next name shown has the same incorrect name written in the suggestion box above it. Example: Clicking "Not a Person" on the word VICTORIA (referring to Victoria, Australia) then goes on to the next name. It shows someone's name, but the suggestion box above it now says VICTORIA. ---------- EDIT December 2023: I am happy to report that the "All Names Reviewed" feature within "My Contributions" appears to be working again! The bar chart also appears to be working again. Also, the new volunteering stats (like the "People" section) are very cool to see. ---------- EDIT July 2023: The "My Contributions" section is still completely broken in many ways. Doesn't even count your contributions. My number of contributions for multiple months is shown as ZERO. Very upsetting. Please try to fix this. ---------- Such a great way to volunteer my time! App is designed well. ---------- EDIT March 2023: App suddenly stopped counting contributions towards the bar chart and the total number of names corrected. FamilySearch.org/GetInvolved on a computer still correctly adds to the "Names Corrected" counter inside the "Name Review" square. The app no longer adds to the counter! ---------- Also, please start counting Place-Name Correction/Verification, Indexing, etc into the counter/bar charts so that volunteers can see the number of things they have helped to correct (or verify) for all volunteering opportunities, as opposed to only seeing the number of corrections made for the Name Review volunteering opportunity. ---------- Review will change back to 5 stars after the major bug is fixed! ---------- EDIT 13 March 2023: I logged out, deleted the app, redownloaded the app, logged in, and reviewed more names. The bug is not fixed; My changes are not being counted towards the monthly or total "All Names Reviewed" under the "My Contributions" tab. Names I review on the app do not update the My Contributions numbers on the app or the website, whereas names I review on the website still correctly update the My Contributions numbers on both the website and the app. I believe this problem started with the newest software update (Version 1.4.0). ---------- EDIT March 2023: the edit counters in the "My Contributions" tab seem to be fixed now! (app Version 1.4.1) ---------- EDIT April 2023: the "My Contributions" counter is broken again... my contributions are not being counted, so my total number is starting the same and my April edits counter is staying at zero...

NickW79
Apr 24, 2022

I know I am supposed to do Family History and I know that when I do I feel blessed but it’s still hard to do and take time for! This app is fantastic and now I want to take time to do it every day because it makes it - simple process! One thing that I think would be super helpful is to see how helpful this actually is to do! I want to see intro videos of how me doing this little thing every day helps in the whole process of things. how does me doing this make a difference in the big picture? THIS IS FANTASTIC I know I am supposed to do Family History and I know that when I do I feel blessed but it’s still hard to do and take time for! This app is fantastic and now I want to take time to do it every day because it makes it - simple process! One thing that I think would be super helpful is to see how helpful this actually is to do! I want to see intro videos of how me doing this little thing every day helps in the whole process of things. how does me doing this make a difference in the big picture?

TMSmix
Apr 12, 2022

This opens up simple ways for youth to draw on the promises of family history without having to “figure out” formats for each indexing project! I hope this translates I to various languages and record types, because it’s beautifully simple!!! Great way to get youth involved!!! This opens up simple ways for youth to draw on the promises of family history without having to “figure out” formats for each indexing project! I hope this translates I to various languages and record types, because it’s beautifully simple!!!

App Details

Developer

FamilySearch International

Platform

ios

Rating

4.4

Last Updated

9/7/2025