Customer Reviews (500)

Oberservant One • 2025-03-27T11:45:29-07:00

I am so grateful to the LDS Church for creating this amazing database, hosting this site and offering it to everyone, at no cost. LifeSearch is a mission that touches millions of people. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

DebStoh85 • 2025-03-27T10:16:38-07:00

Pretty cool app however I’m still learning it. Lots to learn!!

Senterfridell • 2025-03-27T09:35:22-07:00

I love all my relatives living and dead. Genealogy is wonderful because it lets one know about their family.

Summary of Key Insights

The FamilySearch app enjoys a generally positive sentiment, driven by its free access to extensive genealogical records and its ability to connect users with their family history. Users appreciate the ease of discovering ancestors, adding memories, and collaborating with others. However, the app suffers from recurring technical issues, navigation challenges, data accuracy concerns, and feature limitations. The app's connection to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is both a strength (due to the extensive database and free access) and a point of contention for some users.

Overall Rating: Strong positive sentiment, but with significant areas for improvement.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall, the app has a positive rating, with a majority of users giving it 5 stars (69.8%).
  • 5-star: 69.8%
  • 4-star: 5%
  • 3-star: 7.4%
  • 2-star: 4.2%
  • 1-star: 13.6%

Key Strengths: Free access, vast database, user-friendly interface (for many), ability to connect with relatives and discover family history. Key Weaknesses: Technical glitches, data accuracy issues, navigation difficulties, feature limitations (compared to the website), account and login problems.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but likely spans a considerable period given the version number (5.1.9) and the nature of app reviews.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Overall positive, negative, or neutral feelings were assessed based on review content.
    • Keyword Extraction: Frequently used words and phrases were identified to pinpoint common themes and issues.
    • Thematic Analysis: Reviews were categorized based on recurring topics such as technical issues, feature requests, positive experiences, etc.

Key User Pain Points

  • Technical Issues/Glitches: Many users report bugs, crashes, freezing, and general instability. This includes issues with updates, inability to sign in, and features not working correctly (e.g., maps not loading).
    • Impact: Frustration, data loss, inability to use the app.
  • Data Accuracy/Incorrect Information: Users express concern about incorrect information being added to their family trees by others and difficulty correcting it. Some find conflicting data or unsubstantiated claims.
    • Impact: Distrust in data, need for constant monitoring and correction, potential spread of misinformation.
  • Navigation/Usability Issues: Some users find the app difficult to navigate, especially compared to the website. They struggle to find specific features or understand how to use the app effectively.
    • Impact: Frustration, discouragement, underutilization of app features.
  • Account/Login Problems: Frequent reports of login issues, password resets not working, and accounts being locked or inaccessible.
    • Impact: Inability to use the app, frustration, potential loss of access to family history data.
  • Incomplete/Missing Features Compared to Website: Many users note that the app lacks features available on the FamilySearch website, forcing them to switch between platforms.
    • Impact: Inconvenience, reduced functionality, fragmented user experience.
  • Printing Issues: Difficulty printing temple cards or other information directly from the app.
    • Impact: Inconvenience, reliance on alternative methods.
  • Notifications Leading to Website Login: Users are annoyed when tapping notifications in the app leads them to the website and requires them to log in again.
    • Impact: Frustration, unnecessary steps.
  • Update Issues: Users report being prompted to update the app when no update is available or the update is incompatible with their device.
    • Impact: Inability to use the app, confusion.
  • Loss of Data: Some users report losing data (photos, research) after updates or due to other issues.
    • Impact: Significant frustration, discouragement from using the app.
  • Changes Made by Others: Users are frustrated when other users make incorrect changes to shared family trees, and there's limited ability to control or revert these changes.
    • Impact: Loss of trust in the accuracy of the tree, time spent correcting errors.

Frequently Requested Features

  • DNA Matching: Integration of DNA matching capabilities, similar to Ancestry.com.
  • Improved Editing and Correction Tools: More robust tools for correcting inaccurate information and managing changes made by other users.
  • Feature Parity with Website: Bringing all features available on the FamilySearch website to the mobile app.
  • Offline Access: Ability to access some data and features offline.
  • Family Group Sheets: Improved tools for managing and displaying family group sheets.
  • Ability to Add Pets: Some users want the ability to add pets to their family trees.
  • Easier Navigation: Improved navigation and search functionality, especially for finding specific individuals and navigating complex trees.
  • Audit Trail: A log of changes made by other users to family trees.
  • Enlarged Photo Viewing: The ability to enlarge photos within the app.
  • Ability to Merge Trees from Other Apps: Allowing users to import data from other genealogy services like Ancestry.com.
  • Improved Spouse Connection: Better functionality for connecting spouses and handling multiple marriages.
  • Ability to Find Specific Information: Example: Search for all relatives who served in the Marine Corps.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Free Access: The app is free to use, which is a major draw for many users.
  • Vast Database: Users appreciate the extensive collection of records and information available.
  • Ease of Use (for some): Many users find the app easy to use, especially for basic tasks like viewing their family tree and adding memories.
  • Connection to Family History: Users feel a stronger connection to their ancestors and enjoy learning about their lives.
  • Collaboration: The ability to collaborate with other family members and share information is highly valued.
  • Temple Work: The app facilitates finding names for temple ordinances, which is important to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • Discovering Relatives: Users enjoy discovering new relatives and connections, including famous people.
  • Adding Memories: The ability to add photos, stories, and audio recordings is a popular feature.
  • Helpful Hints: Users appreciate the "hints" that the app provides, suggesting potential records and connections.
  • Feeling of Closeness: Many users feel closer to their deceased family members by learning about their lives.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Some users find the app's interface to be user-friendly and intuitive.
  • Organized Genealogy: The app helps users keep their genealogy organized.
  • Inspiring: The app is described as inspiring, helping people feel connected to their roots.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Technical Issues: Focus on fixing bugs, crashes, and instability issues to improve the app's reliability. This should be the top priority.
  • Improve Data Accuracy and Correction Tools: Implement measures to prevent the spread of inaccurate information and provide users with better tools to correct errors. This could include stricter validation rules, moderation features, and clearer guidelines for contributing data.
  • Fix Account/Login Problems: Resolve the recurring login issues and password reset problems to ensure users can access their accounts.
  • Optimize Notifications: Ensure that notifications open within the app, rather than requiring users to log in to the website.

Medium Priority:

  • Enhance Navigation and Usability: Improve the app's navigation and search functionality to make it easier for users to find what they're looking for. Conduct user testing to identify areas for improvement.
  • Increase Feature Parity with Website: Add missing features from the FamilySearch website to the mobile app to provide a more complete and consistent experience.
  • Improve Printing Functionality: Make it easier to print temple cards and other information directly from the app.
  • Provide Better Guidance and Tutorials: Offer clearer instructions and tutorials for new users to help them understand how to use the app effectively.

Low Priority:

  • Consider DNA Matching Integration: Explore the feasibility of integrating DNA matching capabilities.
  • Explore Additional Features: Consider adding features like the ability to add pets or track multiple family trees more easily.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Genealogy Data Validation Service: A service that automatically validates genealogical data and flags potential inaccuracies.
  • Family Tree Change Management Tool: A tool that allows users to track and manage changes made to their family trees by other users, with options to approve or reject edits.
  • Enhanced Genealogy Visualization: A platform that offers more advanced and interactive ways to visualize family trees, including geographic mapping and relationship analysis.
  • Personalized Genealogy Tours: A service that creates personalized tours based on a user's family history, highlighting locations and events related to their ancestors.
  • Genealogy Collaboration Platform: A dedicated platform for family members to collaborate on building and sharing their family history, with features for communication, document sharing, and task management.
  • AI-Powered Genealogy Assistant: An AI assistant that can help users with genealogical research, such as finding records, identifying potential connections, and resolving data conflicts.

Trends and Observations

  • Language Preference: The majority of reviews are in English, but there's a significant number in Spanish, indicating a need for multilingual support.
  • Connection to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Many reviewers mention the app's connection to the Church, with some expressing gratitude for the free service and others raising concerns about the Church's practices.
  • Temple Work Focus: A large number of reviews mention using the app for temple work, suggesting that this is a key use case for many users.
  • Positive Sentiment Towards Connecting with Ancestors: Users consistently express positive feelings about connecting with their ancestors and learning about their family history.
  • Recurring Technical Complaints: Technical issues are a persistent problem, indicating a need for ongoing maintenance and quality assurance.
  • User-Contributed Data Challenges: The collaborative nature of the platform leads to challenges with data accuracy and the need for robust moderation and correction tools.

Conclusion

The FamilySearch app provides a valuable service by offering free access to a vast database of genealogical records. Users appreciate the app's ability to connect them with their family history and facilitate collaboration with others. However, the app suffers from recurring technical issues, data accuracy concerns, and feature limitations. Addressing these issues should be the top priority to improve the user experience and maintain the app's reputation as a reliable resource for genealogical research. The app developer should focus on stability, data integrity, and feature parity with the website to provide a more complete and satisfying experience for all users.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize bug fixes, data accuracy improvements, and enhanced navigation to solidify the app's position as a leading genealogy resource.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/familysearch-build-your-tree/id885982973?uo=2