FamilySearch API Connector for AI agents.
6 live capabilities
Connect to the world's largest family history database to find ancestors and audit records
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Why people use FamilySearch API
FamilySearch API Ancestry Auditing for Historians
With this Connector, you just tell your agent what you're looking for. It queries the global tree, pulls the data, and summarizes it for you in the chat. You get a direct line to the data without the clicking.
What Vinkius changes
You get a conversational gateway to the world's largest genealogy database.
Use it from Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or another AI client you already have.
One account · 6,100+ Connectors
- Real-world use case 01
Finding a specific relative
A user asks for 'John Smith' born in 1850 in Ireland.
- Real-world use case 02
Mapping a lineage
A researcher wants to see the 3-generation tree for a specific ID to see where the line branches.
- Real-world use case 03
Finding old photos
A user has a name but wants to see if there are any scanned portraits or stories attached.
Complete set · 6capabilities
The complete FamilySearch API capability set.
These are the exact actions your AI can choose when you ask it to work with FamilySearch API.
01—03
3 capabilities in this set.
Part of 6 available through FamilySearch API.
- 01 Capability
Get person memories
Pulls photos and stories tied to a specific person. This helps you see the personal side of your history.
- 02 Capability
Get person pedigree
Retrieves the full ancestry chart for a given individual. Use this to map out multi-generational lineages quickly.
- 03 Capability
Get person details
Gets full name, dates, and locations for a person by their unique ID. This ensures you have the correct metadata for your records.
04—06
3 capabilities in this set.
Part of 6 available through FamilySearch API.
- 04 Capability
List historical collections
Shows all available historical records on the platform. This helps you understand the scope of available archives.
- 05 Capability
Check api status
Verifies that your API connection is active and working. Use this to troubleshoot your connection issues quickly.
- 06 Capability
Search persons
Searches the global family tree for specific names or details. This is the fastest way to find new leads in your research.
Set up in minutes
One URL. Then ask FamilySearch API to work.
Claude and ChatGPT only need the Connector URL. Copy it once, add it in settings, and use FamilySearch API from the conversation.
Choose your client
Live previewAdvanced clients IDE · CLI
Claude · Web + desktop
Connector URL · ready to paste
Streamable HTTPhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_NBvLpXdOI5ehLMBDuWXjBbjUwW8SLFHFZoz8epVV/mcp - Step 01
Open Connectors
In Claude Web or Claude Desktop, open Settings and choose Connectors.
- Step 02
Add the URL
Choose Add custom connector, name it FamilySearch API, and paste the URL above.
- Step 03
Turn it on in chat
Select +, open Connectors, and enable FamilySearch API for the conversation.
ChatGPT · Web + desktop
Connector URL · ready to paste
Streamable HTTPhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_NBvLpXdOI5ehLMBDuWXjBbjUwW8SLFHFZoz8epVV/mcp - Step 01
Open MCP settings
On desktop, open Settings and MCP servers. On web, open your workspace app or connector settings.
- Step 02
Add the URL
Choose Add server with Streamable HTTP, or create a custom MCP app, then paste the FamilySearch API URL.
- Step 03
Save and start
Save the connection and enable FamilySearch API in your conversation. Desktop may ask you to restart once.
Cursor · IDE configuration
Advanced setup
{
"mcpServers": {
"familysearch-api": {
"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_NBvLpXdOI5ehLMBDuWXjBbjUwW8SLFHFZoz8epVV/mcp"
}
}
}- Step 01
Open MCP Settings
Press Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) → search "MCP Settings"
- Step 02
Add the server config
Paste the JSON configuration above into the mcp.json file that opens
- Step 03
Save the file
Cursor will automatically detect the new Connector
- Step 04
Start using FamilySearch API
Open Agent mode in chat and ask: "Using FamilySearch API, help me...". 6 tools available
VS Code Copilot · IDE configuration
Advanced setup
{
"mcpServers": {
"familysearch-api": {
"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_NBvLpXdOI5ehLMBDuWXjBbjUwW8SLFHFZoz8epVV/mcp"
}
}
}- Step 01
Create MCP config
Create a .vscode/mcp.json file in your project root
- Step 02
Add the server config
Paste the JSON configuration above
- Step 03
Enable Agent mode
Open GitHub Copilot Chat and switch to Agent mode using the dropdown
- Step 04
Start using FamilySearch API
Ask Copilot: "Using FamilySearch API, help me...". 6 tools available
Windsurf · IDE configuration
Advanced setup
{
"mcpServers": {
"familysearch-api": {
"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_NBvLpXdOI5ehLMBDuWXjBbjUwW8SLFHFZoz8epVV/mcp"
}
}
}- Step 01
Open MCP Settings
Go to Settings → MCP Configuration or press Cmd+Shift+P and search "MCP"
- Step 02
Add the server
Paste the JSON configuration above into mcp_config.json
- Step 03
Save and reload
Windsurf will detect the new server automatically
- Step 04
Start using FamilySearch API
Open Cascade and ask: "Using FamilySearch API, help me...". 6 tools available
Cline · IDE configuration
Advanced setup
{
"mcpServers": {
"familysearch-api": {
"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_NBvLpXdOI5ehLMBDuWXjBbjUwW8SLFHFZoz8epVV/mcp"
}
}
}- Step 01
Open Cline MCP Settings
Click the Connectors icon in the Cline sidebar panel
- Step 02
Add remote server
Click "Add Connector" and paste the configuration above
- Step 03
Enable the server
Toggle the server switch to ON
- Step 04
Start using FamilySearch API
Ask Cline: "Using FamilySearch API, help me...". 6 tools available
Claude Code · Terminal command
Advanced setup
claude mcp add familysearch-api --transport http "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_NBvLpXdOI5ehLMBDuWXjBbjUwW8SLFHFZoz8epVV/mcp"- Step 01
Install Claude Code
Run npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code if not already installed
- Step 02
Add the Connector
Run the command above in your terminal
- Step 03
Verify the connection
Run claude mcp to list connected servers, or type /mcp inside a session
- Step 04
Start using FamilySearch API
Ask Claude: "Using FamilySearch API, show me...". 6 tools are ready
Where the request belongs
Work FamilySearch API can move forward.
This is for people who spend hours digging through records but hate the manual clicking. It's for the genealogist who needs to audit thousands of entries or the family researcher who just wants to see their lineage without getting lost in a complex web UI.
Professional Genealogist
Audits large datasets of ancestors and pulls metadata into research logs without manual searching.
Family History Hobbyist
Finds cousins and ancestors by asking natural questions and viewing pedigree charts in a chat.
Archivist
Identifies which historical collections contain specific data types for research projects.
Educational Researcher
Automates data pulls for historical projects and manages cross-functional team research.
Build the capability set
Add more capabilities.
Each Connector adds new actions and data without changing how you work.
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Search and retrieve millions of historical items, maps, photos, and manuscripts from the world's largest library.
Docket Alarm
Search over 732 million legal records, track court dockets, and extract AI-powered insights from PACER and state courts.
Namsor
Automate name analytics via Namsor. predict gender, origin, and ethnicity directly from any AI agent.
People Data Labs
Enrich person and company profiles with B2B data. access millions of records for lead generation, identity resolution, and market intelligence.
Bring your own AI
Change the model, client or framework. Keep FamilySearch API connected.
-
Claude -
ChatGPT -
Gemini -
Cursor -
VS Code -
Windsurf -
ZCode -
Cline -
Zed -
Continue -
Kiro -
Roo Code -
Zencoder -
Goose -
Void -
Augment Code -
Amp -
Qodo -
Tabnine -
Pieces -
Sourcegraph Cody -
JetBrains -
Warp -
Amazon Q -
Antigravity -
BoltAI -
Raycast -
Jan -
LM Studio -
AnythingLLM -
Open WebUI -
Msty -
Cherry Studio -
LibreChat -
TypingMind -
Chorus -
5ire -
n8n -
LangChain -
LlamaIndex -
CrewAI -
Vercel AI SDK
Before you connect
Questions about FamilySearch API.
The practical details behind the request, access and result.
Can I use the FamilySearch API to find my ancestors?
Yes, this Connector lets your AI agent search the global family tree for you. You can ask for specific names and dates, and it will pull back the most relevant matches.
How does the FamilySearch API help with pedigree charts?
It pulls the actual ancestry tree for a specific person. You can ask your agent to show you a multi-generational view of a lineage without having to build it yourself.
Can I see photos with the FamilySearch API?
Yes, it pulls memories like photos, stories, and documents tied to a person. Your agent can list these for you so you can see the visual side of your history.
Is the FamilySearch API good for professional historians?
Yes, it automates the audit of records and metadata. It's a great way for historians to quickly pull data from the world's largest family history database into a research workflow.
Can I see which historical records are available?
Yes, you can ask your agent to list all the historical record collections available on the platform. This helps you see what kind of archives are available for your research.
Do I need to be an expert to use the FamilySearch API?
No, you don't need any technical skills. You just talk to your AI client in plain English, and it handles the database queries and data retrieval for you.
How do I find my FamilySearch Access Token?
Log in to the FamilySearch Developer portal, and you can generate a Personal Access Token or use the OAuth flow to obtain one. Copy and paste it below.
Can the agent show my family tree?
Yes. Use the get_person_pedigree capability providing a starting person ID. Your agent will return the ancestry chart metadata instantly.
Are photos and stories included?
Yes. The get_person_memories capability retrieves any photos, stories, and documents (memories) associated with a specified person in the tree.
One connection away
Give your agent a direct line to FamilySearch API.
Connect FamilySearch API once. Keep it beside 6,100+ managed Connectors when the next task needs more.
Explore every Connector No credit card required · Free tier available