FamilySearch has added a fun feature to its Family Tree App entitled “Relatives Around Me” – an easy way to find relatives within minutes! Long-lost cousins are no longer lost – if they 
happen to be within 100 feet of each other, and logged into the Family Tree app at the same time. You will find the Family Tree App in the FamilySearch.org App Gallery (iOS) or you can download the Android app here. Matt Wright explains what to do next in this FamilySearch blog post. He writes that once you and your potential cousin are signed in, you need to “select More at the bottom right of the screen (iOS) or the drop-down in the top left (Android) and then select Relatives Around Me. This opens a page with a green button that says Scan for Friends.
 How to use Relatives Around Me for iOS. |
 How to use Relatives Around Me for Android. |
Tap the green button to start scanning. Anyone signed into the app and within range will show up in a list on your device, and you will show up on theirs. Selecting the person’s name will bring up a pedigree graphic showing your common ancestor and the lines through which you both descend.” Matt then asks, “Pretty cool, right?” For sure – I agree that this is one fun feature! My husband and I discovered we are 12th cousins 4 times removed!
This is loads of fun! Give it a try! Members or non-members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can use FamilySearch!
A few suggestions from Matt: “Now, you could log into the app, start scanning, and wander around until you find a cousin. But there are better ways to use Relatives Around Me, especially in group settings. Here are some of the best scenarios to give this new feature a try:
- Church group—Find out who in your congregation is also part of your family tree. Fun at a weekday party or activity, and useful in a Sunday class.
- Friends—Out with friends? Check to see if you are related. You may have more in common with your friends than just hiking, reading, or a love of adorable cat videos.
- Neighbors—Easy to do as you talk with neighbors across the fence. Interesting to see if you have flocked to the same area as your distant relatives.
- Coworkers—A fun work party activity, or a unique way to build unity and connection among those that work in the same office.”
How to use Relatives Around Me for iOS.
How to use Relatives Around Me for Android.
