How to Save Records from FamilySearch.org
A step-by-step guide for saving genealogy records with proper source citations
When you find a record on FamilySearch.org that is relevant to your application, we need two things from you for each record:
1
The document image
2
The source citation
Step 1: Download the Document Image
The document image is the original scanned historical record (census form, church register, etc.).
1
Open the record: Click on the record from your search results. This takes you to either the record details page or the image viewer.
2
Open the image viewer: If you are on the record details page, click the document image thumbnail on the left side (or the View Original Document button) to open the full image viewer.
3
Look for a download button: This will be a downward arrow icon ↓ in the toolbar above the image.
- If a download button is available: Click it. If the download dialog gives you format options, select PDF Record Image with Highlights and make sure the Citation box is checked. Skip Step 2.
- If there is no download button OR no Citation checkbox available: Proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Save the Source Citation
If your download in Step 1 included the citation (the checkbox was available and checked), you can skip this step. If not, you need to save the source information separately.
1
Go to the record details page: If you are in the image viewer, click the back arrow at the top-left or use your browser’s back button.
2
Look for the source citation: Scroll down on the page. You should see a section called Cite This Record or Source Information. This is the part we need.
3
Take a screenshot or print the page to PDF: Make sure the source citation section is visible on your screen before you capture it. See the instructions at the end of this guide for how to do either.
What to Send Us
For each record you find on FamilySearch, please send us:
| What | How |
|---|---|
| Document image | Download from image viewer (if available) or screenshot/print-to-PDF |
| Source citation | Included with download (if Citation box was checked), OR screenshot/print-to-PDF of the source info on the record details page |
Optional — merge into one PDF
- On a Mac, open all files in Preview, display the thumbnails in the sidebar, and drag the pages into one document. Then go to File > Export as PDF to save the merged file.
- On Windows, you can use a free online tool such as ilovepdf.com or Adobe’s online PDF merger. Simply upload your files, arrange them in the correct order, and download the combined PDF.
How to Take a Screenshot OR Print to PDF
Use these instructions when you need to screenshot or print-to-PDF a page (for example, if no download button is available, or to save the source citation).
Option A: Take a Screenshot
| Device | How to Screenshot |
|---|---|
| Mac | Press Cmd + Shift + 4, then drag to select the area you want to capture. Or press Cmd + Shift + 3 to capture the entire screen. |
| Windows | Press Windows + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool, then drag to select the area. Or press PrtSc (Print Screen) to capture the full screen, then paste into Paint or a document. |
Option B: Print to PDF
| Device | How to Print to PDF |
|---|---|
| Mac | Press Cmd + P. In the print dialog, click the PDF dropdown in the bottom-left and select Save as PDF. Choose where to save the file and click Save. |
| Windows | Press Ctrl + P. In the Destination dropdown, select Save as PDF (or Microsoft Print to PDF). Click Save and choose where to save the file. |
Either method works! A screenshot is faster, but Print to PDF often looks cleaner and automatically includes the page URL in the header or footer. Use whichever you are more comfortable with.