Tech Forum Archive

Finding Possible Membership Records for Cousin

7 postsstarted by Scozart1 1,577 viewsoriginal topic

Scozart1
New Member
#1
In 2016, I created the Family Search profile for a close relative, who passed in 2011. I've never met him or any of his family beyond knowing that he was my grandfather's first cousin. Said grandfather was a convert to the church being baptized as a married adult, so my impression was none of his family were interested or even aware of the church. Today, I find an obituary for this cousin, and it states rather plainly that his funeral services are to be held in the church building in the town he passed away in. This heavily implies that he was at least baptized, and perhaps personally participated in other ordinances not recorded in Family Search. Is there a way to track down his membership records? Or will I have to contact Family Search about that?
russellhltn
Community Administrator
#2
I'd do a search of the FamiliyTree to see if you can find him. I think members appear sometime after they pass. But it might not be linked to your tree. You'll need to merge the "duplicate".
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
sbradshaw
Community Moderators
#3
It could also be that other family members who arranged the funeral are Church members, and it was a convenient location to arrange in short notice, even if the deceased family member wasn't a Church member.
Samuel Bradshaw • If you desire to serve God, you are called to the work.
Scozart1
New Member
#4
russellhltn wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 10:03 pm I'd do a search of the FamiliyTree to see if you can find him. I think members appear sometime after they pass. But it might not be linked to your tree. You'll need to merge the "duplicate".
Already did that. I created his Family Search account 5 years after his death, and there was no remotely similar individual at the time. There still isn't now.
munaish
Member
#5
Scozart1 wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 9:38 pm
russellhltn wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 10:03 pm I'd do a search of the FamiliyTree to see if you can find him. I think members appear sometime after they pass. But it might not be linked to your tree. You'll need to merge the "duplicate".
Already did that. I created his Family Search account 5 years after his death, and there was no remotely similar individual at the time. There still isn't now.
I think their official FamilySearch profile appears on the tree when the clerk marks them as deceased in their membership record in the ward/branch. It's entirely possible that the records are in a location that doesn't match where they lived when they died (and the clerk might not know about their death; so, they might still be marked as alive in a ward somewhere in the world).
davesudweeks
Senior Member
#6
munaish wrote: Mon May 12, 2025 3:54 am
Scozart1 wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 9:38 pm
russellhltn wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 10:03 pm I'd do a search of the FamiliyTree to see if you can find him. I think members appear sometime after they pass. But it might not be linked to your tree. You'll need to merge the "duplicate".
Already did that. I created his Family Search account 5 years after his death, and there was no remotely similar individual at the time. There still isn't now.
I think their official FamilySearch profile appears on the tree when the clerk marks them as deceased in their membership record in the ward/branch. It's entirely possible that the records are in a location that doesn't match where they lived when they died (and the clerk might not know about their death; so, they might still be marked as alive in a ward somewhere in the world).
This is correct. If they were not marked as deceased by a clerk, they will continue to be considered living and nothing will be passed from church membership to FamilySearch. One would expect clerks to be on top of this but my sad experience is that is not always the case. If they were sent to the old "address unknown" file, their record will likely be at church headquarters.

Your clerk could send a message to the GSD and provide their details to the best of your knowledge (full name, last known address, birth date, death date, etc.) and query if the record is in the address unknown file so they could be marked deceased.
carolgenealogy1970
New Member
#7
Since his funeral was held in an LDS meetinghouse, he may have been a baptized member—but if no ordinances show, it’s likely his Church membership record wasn’t updated with a death date. That’s key! I’d recommend contacting the ward clerk where the funeral was held or reaching out to FamilySearch Support directly (include his name, your relationship, and a copy of the obituary). Once they mark him as deceased, any completed ordinances should appear on FamilySearch. You can then merge profiles if needed.
(FamilySearch support: https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/he ... amily-tree )
Scozart1 wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 9:05 pm In 2016, I created the Family Search profile for a close relative, who passed in 2011. I've never met him or any of his family beyond knowing that he was my grandfather's first cousin. Said grandfather was a convert to the church being baptized as a married adult, so my impression was none of his family were interested or even aware of the church. Today, I find an obituary for this cousin, and it states rather plainly that his funeral services are to be held in the church building in the town he passed away in. This heavily implies that he was at least baptized, and perhaps personally participated in other ordinances not recorded in Family Search. Is there a way to track down his membership records? Or will I have to contact Family Search about that?