FamilySearch API MCP Server for Claude Code 6 tools — connect in under 2 minutes
Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic CLI for terminal-first development. Add FamilySearch API as an MCP server in one command and Claude Code will discover every tool at runtime. ideal for automation pipelines, CI/CD integration, and headless workflows via Vinkius.
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# Your Vinkius token. get it at cloud.vinkius.com
claude mcp add familysearch-api --transport http "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure
About FamilySearch API MCP Server
Empower your AI agent to orchestrate your entire genealogical research and ancestry auditing workflow with the FamilySearch API, the world's largest platform for family history. By connecting FamilySearch to your agent, you transform complex ancestor searches into a natural conversation. Your agent can instantly retrieve person details, audit pedigree charts, and query historical record collections without you ever touching a genealogy portal. Whether you are building your family tree or conducting deep-dive historical audits, your agent acts as a real-time genealogical consultant, ensuring your data is always verified and precise.
Claude Code registers FamilySearch API as an MCP server in a single terminal command. Once connected, Claude Code discovers all 6 tools at runtime and can call them headlessly. ideal for CI/CD pipelines, cron jobs, and automated workflows where FamilySearch API data drives decisions without human intervention.
What you can do
- Person Auditing — Search for millions of persons in the FamilySearch global tree and retrieve detailed metadata, including lifespans and birth/death places.
- Pedigree Oversight — Audit the ancestry charts for specific individuals to maintain a clear view of lineage distribution and scale.
- Memories Discovery — Retrieve photos, stories, and documents associated with specific persons to identify relevant assets instantly.
- Record Intelligence — List available historical record collections to understand the organizational reach of global archives.
- Metadata Intelligence — Retrieve unique identifiers and display names for any genealogical record to assist in deep-dive classification.
The FamilySearch API MCP Server exposes 6 tools through the Vinkius. Connect it to Claude Code in under two minutes — no API keys to rotate, no infrastructure to provision, no vendor lock-in. Your configuration, your data, your control.
How to Connect FamilySearch API to Claude Code via MCP
Follow these steps to integrate the FamilySearch API MCP Server with Claude Code.
Install Claude Code
Run npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code if not already installed
Add the MCP Server
Run the command above in your terminal
Verify the connection
Run claude mcp to list connected servers, or type /mcp inside a session
Start using FamilySearch API
Ask Claude: "Using FamilySearch API, show me...". 6 tools are ready
Why Use Claude Code with the FamilySearch API MCP Server
Claude Code provides unique advantages when paired with FamilySearch API through the Model Context Protocol.
Single-command setup: `claude mcp add` registers the server instantly. no config files to edit or applications to restart
Terminal-native workflow means MCP tools integrate seamlessly into shell scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and automated DevOps tasks
Claude Code runs headlessly, enabling unattended batch processing using FamilySearch API tools in cron jobs or deployment scripts
Built by the same team that created the MCP protocol, ensuring first-class compatibility and the fastest adoption of new protocol features
FamilySearch API + Claude Code Use Cases
Practical scenarios where Claude Code combined with the FamilySearch API MCP Server delivers measurable value.
CI/CD integration: embed FamilySearch API tool calls in your deployment pipeline to validate configurations or fetch secrets before shipping
Headless batch processing: schedule Claude Code to query FamilySearch API nightly and generate reports without human intervention
Shell scripting: pipe FamilySearch API outputs into other CLI tools for data transformation, filtering, and aggregation
Infrastructure monitoring: run Claude Code in a cron job to query FamilySearch API status endpoints and alert on anomalies
FamilySearch API MCP Tools for Claude Code (6)
These 6 tools become available when you connect FamilySearch API to Claude Code via MCP:
check_api_status
Check if the FamilySearch API is operational
get_person_details
Get full details for a specific person in the family tree by ID
get_person_memories
Get memories (photos, stories) associated with a person
get_person_pedigree
Get the ancestry (pedigree) for a specific person
list_historical_collections
List historical record collections available on FamilySearch
search_persons
Search for persons in the FamilySearch Family Tree
Example Prompts for FamilySearch API in Claude Code
Ready-to-use prompts you can give your Claude Code agent to start working with FamilySearch API immediately.
"Search for 'George Washington' in FamilySearch."
"Show the pedigree for person ID 'KWCX-S58'."
"List available memories for person ID 'LZDP-H7Z'."
Troubleshooting FamilySearch API MCP Server with Claude Code
Common issues when connecting FamilySearch API to Claude Code through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.
Command not found: claude
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codeConnection timeout
FamilySearch API + Claude Code FAQ
Common questions about integrating FamilySearch API MCP Server with Claude Code.
How do I add an MCP server to Claude Code?
claude mcp add --transport http "" in your terminal. Claude Code registers the server and discovers all tools immediately.Can Claude Code run MCP tools in headless mode?
How do I list all connected MCP servers?
claude mcp in your terminal to see all registered servers and their status, or type /mcp inside an active Claude Code session.Connect FamilySearch API with your favorite client
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Connect FamilySearch API to Claude Code
Get your token, paste the configuration, and start using 6 tools in under 2 minutes. No API key management needed.