FamilySearch API MCP Server for Windsurf 6 tools — connect in under 2 minutes
Windsurf brings agentic AI coding to a purpose-built IDE. Connect FamilySearch API through Vinkius and Cascade will auto-discover every tool. ask questions, generate code, and act on live data without leaving your editor.
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Vinkius supports streamable HTTP and SSE.
Vinkius Desktop App
The modern way to manage MCP Servers — no config files, no terminal commands. Install FamilySearch API and 2,500+ MCP Servers from a single visual interface.
{
"mcpServers": {
"familysearch-api": {
"url": "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.
Windsurf's Cascade agent chains multiple FamilySearch API tool calls autonomously. query data, analyze results, and generate code in a single agentic session. Paste Vinkius Edge URL, reload, and all 6 tools are immediately available. Real-time tool feedback appears inline, so you see API responses directly in your editor.
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 Windsurf 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 Windsurf via MCP
Follow these steps to integrate the FamilySearch API MCP Server with Windsurf.
Open MCP Settings
Go to Settings → MCP Configuration or press Cmd+Shift+P and search "MCP"
Add the server
Paste the JSON configuration above into mcp_config.json
Save and reload
Windsurf will detect the new server automatically
Start using FamilySearch API
Open Cascade and ask: "Using FamilySearch API, help me...". 6 tools available
Why Use Windsurf with the FamilySearch API MCP Server
Windsurf provides unique advantages when paired with FamilySearch API through the Model Context Protocol.
Windsurf's Cascade agent autonomously chains multiple tool calls in sequence, solving complex multi-step tasks without manual intervention
Purpose-built for agentic workflows. Cascade understands context across your entire codebase and integrates MCP tools natively
JSON-based configuration means zero code changes: paste a URL, reload, and all 6 tools are immediately available
Real-time tool feedback is displayed inline, so you see API responses directly in your editor without switching contexts
FamilySearch API + Windsurf Use Cases
Practical scenarios where Windsurf combined with the FamilySearch API MCP Server delivers measurable value.
Automated code generation: ask Cascade to fetch data from FamilySearch API and generate models, types, or handlers based on real API responses
Live debugging: query FamilySearch API tools mid-session to inspect production data while debugging without leaving the editor
Documentation generation: pull schema information from FamilySearch API and have Cascade generate comprehensive API docs automatically
Rapid prototyping: combine FamilySearch API data with Cascade's code generation to scaffold entire features in minutes
FamilySearch API MCP Tools for Windsurf (6)
These 6 tools become available when you connect FamilySearch API to Windsurf 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 Windsurf
Ready-to-use prompts you can give your Windsurf 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 Windsurf
Common issues when connecting FamilySearch API to Windsurf through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.
Server not connecting
FamilySearch API + Windsurf FAQ
Common questions about integrating FamilySearch API MCP Server with Windsurf.
How does Windsurf discover MCP tools?
mcp_config.json file on startup and connects to each configured server via Streamable HTTP. Tools are listed in the MCP panel and available to Cascade automatically.Can Cascade chain multiple MCP tool calls?
Does Windsurf support multiple MCP servers?
mcp_config.json. Each server's tools appear in the MCP panel and Cascade can use tools from different servers in a single flow.Connect FamilySearch API with your favorite client
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Connect FamilySearch API to Windsurf
Get your token, paste the configuration, and start using 6 tools in under 2 minutes. No API key management needed.