Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Have you ever spotted someone in a census, land record, or church register who isn’t related to you—but is still connected to your ancestor’s story? Maybe it’s a boarder, neighbor, or godparent, and you want to preserve their identity in the FamilySearch Family Tree…but someone told you it’s not allowed.
Good news: you can add non-relatives—and in this video, I’ll show you exactly how (and when you should).
Whether you’re documenting a community, building out a cluster genealogy project, or simply trying to attach a source the right way, I walk you through:
✅ What FamilySearch actually allows
✅ Two correct methods to add a non-relative profile
✅ How to choose the right “Other Relationship” type
Continue Learning:
WAIT! Should You Add Non-Relatives to FamilySearch?
What is Genealogy Cluster Research? F.A.N. Club Basics youtu.be/EwFephN6Ef8
Civil War Regimental Study youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcVx-GSCjcdktshZn1vRp-Hm0hVZ42dPv
FamilySearch Tutorial Playlist youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcVx-GSCjcdko9Al71HQacLC4po7l7959
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Chapters
00:00 Do You Want to Add Non-Relatives to FamilySearch Family Tree?
00:54 Who is Spreading the Myth that You Can’t Add Non-Relatives
02:15 Why Would You Add A Non-Relative to FamilySearch?
03:47 Introducing the FamilySearch Case Study For Adding Non-Relatives to Family Tree
05:53 Option 1: Create a New Profile from the “Other Relationships” Link
06:20 Two Ways to Add Non-Relatives to the FamilySearch Family Tree
10:10 Choosing the Appropriate Relationship for “Non-Relatives”
10:57 Where to Add Notes about “Other Relationships” on FamilySearch
11:28 Adding Source That Links Relatives and Non-Relatives
12:00 How to Switch Persons on the FamilySearch Source Linker Page
13:04 Option 2: Use Recent Menu - Unconnected Persons
15:11 Adding Non-Relatives Helps Break Down Genealogy Brick Walls
↪️ Grab your FREE genealogy research guides and templates at familyhistoryfanatics.com/resources
⚡ Want to grow your family tree faster? Join our membership program.
youtube.com/channel/UCmkKepHoafldMRZ4UNt0Akw/join
📗 Like to read? Check out these books
familyhistoryfanatics.com/books
----------------
✅ Let's connect:
✔️ Subscribe for more genealogy tips: tinyurl.com/FHFanaticsYouTube
✔️ Website: familyhistoryfanatics.com
✔️ Share Video Ideas: familyhistoryfanatics.com/contact
This video is a part of a series of genealogy research tutorials to help viewers build their family tree or expand their family history research. Subscribe to our channel if you love genealogy as we do!
#FamilySearch #FamilyHistoryFanatics #genealogy #genealogyresearch
Have you ever spotted someone in a census, land record, or church register who isn’t related to you—but is still connected to your ancestor’s story? Maybe it’s a boarder, neighbor, or godparent, and you want to preserve their identity in the FamilySearch Family Tree…but someone told you it’s not allowed.
Good news: you can add non-relatives—and in this video, I’ll show you exactly how (and when you should).
Whether you’re documenting a community, building out a cluster genealogy project, or simply trying to attach a source the right way, I walk you through:
✅ What FamilySearch actually allows
✅ Two correct methods to add a non-relative profile
✅ How to choose the right “Other Relationship” type
Continue Learning:
WAIT! Should You Add Non-Relatives to FamilySearch?
What is Genealogy Cluster Research? F.A.N. Club Basics youtu.be/EwFephN6Ef8
Civil War Regimental Study youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcVx-GSCjcdktshZn1vRp-Hm0hVZ42dPv
FamilySearch Tutorial Playlist youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcVx-GSCjcdko9Al71HQacLC4po7l7959
______________________________________
Chapters
00:00 Do You Want to Add Non-Relatives to FamilySearch Family Tree?
00:54 Who is Spreading the Myth that You Can’t Add Non-Relatives
02:15 Why Would You Add A Non-Relative to FamilySearch?
03:47 Introducing the FamilySearch Case Study For Adding Non-Relatives to Family Tree
05:53 Option 1: Create a New Profile from the “Other Relationships” Link
06:20 Two Ways to Add Non-Relatives to the FamilySearch Family Tree
10:10 Choosing the Appropriate Relationship for “Non-Relatives”
10:57 Where to Add Notes about “Other Relationships” on FamilySearch
11:28 Adding Source That Links Relatives and Non-Relatives
12:00 How to Switch Persons on the FamilySearch Source Linker Page
13:04 Option 2: Use Recent Menu - Unconnected Persons
15:11 Adding Non-Relatives Helps Break Down Genealogy Brick Walls
↪️ Grab your FREE genealogy research guides and templates at familyhistoryfanatics.com/resources
⚡ Want to grow your family tree faster? Join our membership program.
youtube.com/channel/UCmkKepHoafldMRZ4UNt0Akw/join
📗 Like to read? Check out these books
familyhistoryfanatics.com/books
----------------
✅ Let's connect:
✔️ Subscribe for more genealogy tips: tinyurl.com/FHFanaticsYouTube
✔️ Website: familyhistoryfanatics.com
✔️ Share Video Ideas: familyhistoryfanatics.com/contact
This video is a part of a series of genealogy research tutorials to help viewers build their family tree or expand their family history research. Subscribe to our channel if you love genealogy as we do!
#FamilySearch #FamilyHistoryFanatics #genealogy #genealogyresearch
