When building a family tree on FamilySearch, noticing that a spouse is not showing can be confusing and frustrating. The Familysearch spouse not showing issue occurs when a linked partner fails to appear on a person’s profile, disrupting the clarity and completeness of your genealogy records. Missing spouse connections can cause problems in understanding family relationships, adding children, or sharing accurate historical data.
This guide explains why the Familysearch spouse not showing problem happens, how to fix it, and how to prevent it in the future. The steps are simple and practical so you can quickly restore the missing connections in your family tree.
What Does Familysearch Spouse Not Showing Mean
The Familysearch spouse not showing issue appears when a married or partnered individual does not display on the corresponding person’s profile. Even if the spouse is added correctly, errors in the system, conflicting data, or incomplete edits can prevent the spouse from appearing. This issue can happen on both the desktop version and the mobile app.
Understanding why this problem occurs is essential to resolving it efficiently.
Common Causes of Familysearch Spouse Not Showing
Several factors can lead to the Familysearch spouse not showing problem.
Incomplete marriage information may prevent the system from linking spouses correctly
Conflicting dates or locations may cause errors in profile display
Duplicate profiles can hide the correct spouse connection
Pending changes or unapproved edits may temporarily block visibility
Technical glitches or outdated app versions can interfere with updates
User permission restrictions for private or living profiles
Internet connectivity issues can prevent changes from saving
Identifying the cause helps you apply the right solution for restoring the spouse on the profile.
How to Fix Familysearch Spouse Not Showing
If your spouse is not showing in FamilySearch, follow these troubleshooting steps.
Check the profile for duplicates
Search the tree to see if another profile for the same spouse exists. If so, merge profiles carefully to restore the connection.
Add complete marriage information
Ensure that marriage date and location are filled out correctly. Incomplete details may prevent the spouse from appearing.
Review change history
Pending edits or recently rejected changes may be affecting visibility. Verify that all updates have been approved and recorded.
Clear cache or refresh the app
Temporary glitches in the browser or mobile app can prevent updates from displaying. Clearing cache or restarting the app often resolves the issue.
Verify privacy and permissions
Living individuals or protected profiles may restrict spouse visibility. Confirm that you have permission to view and edit the profile.
Reconnect the spouse
If the spouse is still not showing, remove and re-add the connection. Make sure all required fields are filled in correctly and save the profile.
Update your app or browser
Outdated software can cause display problems. Update your FamilySearch app or desktop browser to the latest version for smooth performance.
Check internet connectivity
Ensure you have a stable connection so changes are properly saved and synced with FamilySearch servers.
Does Collaboration Affect Spouse Visibility
Yes, FamilySearch is a collaborative platform, and multiple users can edit the same profiles. If another contributor has modified a spouse relationship recently, it may temporarily prevent the spouse from showing. Reviewing recent changes and coordinating edits can prevent conflicts.
How to Prevent Familysearch Spouse Not Showing
Preventing future issues is easier than troubleshooting errors.
Always enter complete marriage information including dates and locations
Check for duplicate profiles before adding a spouse
Ensure edits are approved and recorded in the change history
Maintain updated versions of the app or browser
Verify permissions before editing private or living profiles
Keep a stable internet connection during edits
These practices will help ensure all spouse connections appear correctly in the family tree.
Question and Answer About Familysearch Spouse Not Showing
Why is my spouse not showing on FamilySearch
This usually happens due to incomplete marriage details, duplicate profiles, privacy restrictions, or pending edits.
How do I restore a missing spouse in FamilySearch
Check for duplicates, add full marriage information, review change history, and reconnect the spouse if necessary.
Can technical issues cause spouse display errors
Yes, glitches in the browser or app, outdated versions, or poor internet connection can lead to the Familysearch spouse not showing problem.
Do privacy settings block spouse visibility
Yes, protected or living profiles may limit visibility of spouse connections.
Will clearing cache fix Familysearch spouse not showing
Yes, clearing cache or refreshing the app can often resolve display issues caused by temporary glitches.
FAQ About Familysearch Spouse Not Showing
What is the first step to fix missing spouse
Start by checking for duplicate profiles and ensure marriage information is complete.
Can merging profiles restore the missing spouse
Yes, carefully merging duplicate profiles can re-establish the correct connection.
Does change history affect spouse visibility
Yes, pending or rejected edits may temporarily prevent the spouse from showing.
Is the problem more common on mobile or desktop
It can occur on both platforms, especially if the app or browser is outdated.
Should I contact support if nothing works
If the Familysearch spouse not showing issue persists after troubleshooting, contacting FamilySearch support is recommended.
Conclusion
The Familysearch spouse not showing issue can disrupt your family tree, but it is usually caused by simple problems such as incomplete marriage details, duplicate profiles, privacy restrictions, or temporary technical glitches. By carefully reviewing profiles, adding complete information, clearing cache, and checking permissions, you can restore missing spouse connections efficiently.
Maintaining updated software, verifying edits, and coordinating with other contributors will prevent future errors and help keep your family tree accurate. With the right steps, your spouse connections will display correctly, making your family history research smooth and organized.
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