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Last Updated December 30, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n Ancestry 50% Off Gift Memberships for Black Friday (Gift to Anyone, Even Yourself!)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve been talking a lot about family tree programs lately. We recently published a guide to finding the best family tree program for you<\/strong>, as well as a follow-up article about a new free tree option we think you should check out<\/strong>. But if you\u2019re going to copy your family tree from one place to another \u2013 or simply want a backup on your computer \u2013 you will need to be able to download it.<\/p>\n Although this information may seem simple, it is not always obvious how this process works.\u00a0Kimberly Tucker<\/strong> has taken the time to go over how<\/strong> to download your tree from the big three subscription sites \u2013 Ancestry, MyHeritage and FindMyPast \u2013 and has also provided links to some additional instructions for other programs.<\/p>\n Regardless of which family tree website or software you use, if you\u2019re thinking of trying a new option, don\u2019t fret \u2013 you can<\/strong> easily move your tree. Every family tree you create on Ancestry, or virtually any other tree website or program, is available in what is called a GEDCOM file.<\/p>\n GEDCOM, which stands for Genealogical Data Communication, is a file extension (just like how Microsoft Word files end with a .doc or .docx extension) which was developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the purposes of aiding genealogical research.\u00a0It has been the standard for family tree transfers for a very long time and a newer version, GEDCOM X, is currently being developed.<\/p>\n Make Instant Discoveries in Your Family Tree Now Imagine adding your family tree to a simple website and getting hundreds of new family history discoveries instantly.<\/b><\/p>\n MyHeritage is offering 2 free weeks of access to their extensive collection of 20 billion historical records, as well as their matching technology that instantly connects you with new information about your ancestors<\/b>. Sign up using the link below to find out what you can uncover about your family. Discover New Genealogy Records Instantly<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to the GEDCOM you can easily move your entire tree from one place to another. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to export (and import) your tree from a few of the most popular family tree websites and programs.<\/p>\n We have partnered with the companies on this page and may receive a fee to support our work if you choose to take advantage of some services after following a link in this article.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Do know that GEDCOMs only transfer data, not records, so actual images and scanned documents will need to be moved separately.<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Visit your tree on Ancestry, select your tree\u2019s name in the upper left to open the dropdown and then select \u201cTree Settings.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 20 Billion Genealogy Records Are Free for 2 Weeks Get two full weeks of free access to more than 20 billion genealogy records right now. You\u2019ll also gain access to the MyHeritage discoveries tool that locates information about your ancestors automatically<\/b> when you upload or create a tree. What will you discover about your family\u2019s past?<\/p>\n Claim My Free Record Access Now<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n 2. On the new page, scroll down to \u201cManage Your Tree\u201d and Click \u201cExport Tree.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n 3. Wait for your GEDCOM to generate.<\/strong><\/p>\n 4. Download your GEDCOM file.<\/strong><\/p>\n To import a GEDCOM to Ancestry, follow these steps.<\/strong><\/p>\n Create an account if you do not already have one and log in. A free trial of all records and the family tree can be found here or you can start a free tree\u00a0without record access.Go to \u201cTrees\u201d then, from the drop-down menu, select \u201cCreate and Manage Trees.\u201dScroll to the bottom of the page and select \u201cImport GEDCOM.\u201dUnder \u201cChoose File,\u201d click \u201cBrowse.\u201dFind the file and select \u201cOpen.\u201dName the tree.Decide whether or not you want to make your tree public. (This is a personal call. It is easier for people to reach you and for you to share information if your tree is public. However, if you are just getting started, or are not sure if the information in your tree is correct, I recommend keeping it private to help prevent spreading possibly incorrect information.Add a description if you\u2019d like.Check the box that says you agree to the submission agreement.Click \u201cUpload.\u201d<\/p>\n Note: \u201cGEDCOM files are text-only, so any pictures, charts, or similar items from the original file will not be included. Notes and sources are usually retained after conversion.\u201d You can find a full tutorial on how to move your tree from one Ancestry account to another if you have multiple accounts on Ancestry here or you can read about downloading your tree from Ancestry in detail on Family History Daily.<\/em><\/p>\n To download a tree from FindMyPast, follow these steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Log in to your account.<\/p>\n 2. Go to \u201cFamily Tree.\u201d<\/p>\n 3. Select \u201cView all trees.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 4. There are 3 buttons to the right of the screen by each tree \u201cSettings,\u201d \u201cExport tree\u201d and \u201cDelete tree.\u201d<\/p>\n 5. Click \u201cExport tree.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n 6. Wait for the tree to be ready to download. When it is ready, click on \u201cDownload tree.\u201d<\/p>\n To import a tree to FindMyPast, follow these steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Create an account and go to \u201cMy Family Tree\u201d<\/p>\n 2. Click on \u201cImport a tree\u201d then \u201cbrowse\u201d to find the file on your computer. Select the file.<\/p>\n 3. Click \u201cUpload\u201d your GEDCOM.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 1. Log in to your account.<\/p>\n 2. Click on the \u201cFamily Tree\u201d tab.<\/p>\n 3. Click \u201cManage Trees.\u201d<\/p>\n 4. Click \u201cExport to\u00a0GEDCOM.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n (See the full tutorial with screen captures on the FAQ page of their website here.)<\/p>\n To import a GEDCOM to MyHeritage<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Create a family tree on MyHeritage by heading to the homepage and creating an account or setting up a free trial if you would also like free record access for 14 days.<\/p>\n 2. Once logged in, click \u201cFile\u201d menu and select \u201cImport GEDCOM.\u201d<\/p>\n 3. Click \u2018Browse\u2019 to choose the file that you want to import.<\/p>\n 4. Click \u201cUpload.\u201d<\/p>\n (See the full tutorial with screen captures on the FAQ page of their website here.)<\/p>\n Also read:\u00a0How I Finally Solved a 10-Year-Old Genealogy Mystery in 10 Minutes With MyHeritage<\/p>\n The steps for other programs and websites are usually pretty similar: each software or site usually has a \u201cHelp\u201d or \u201cFAQ\u201d section where you can find the most updated instructions. As an example, to import a GEDCOM to Legacy Family Tree, follow these instructions from their website. To export a GEDCOM file from Legacy Family Tree follow these instructions. If you use Family Tree Maker, see instructions here to import and export GEDCOM files. WikiTree has instructions here and RootsFinder here.<\/p>\n You can sometimes also find additional information on these help pages about moving part<\/strong> of your tree if you want to only export or import a branch of your research. MyHeritage has a helpful tutorial on how to do this\u00a0here.<\/p>\n As you can see, it\u2019s much easier than you might have thought to move your family tree from one program to another. Don\u2019t forget to also use this information to back up your research and happy hunting!<\/p>\n You might also like:<\/strong><\/p>\n Find Your Best Family Tree: Our Guide to the Top Choices<\/p>\n Are You Sure They\u2019re Your Ancestors? This Genealogy Blunder is More Common Than Ever<\/p>\n Kimberly Tucker<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is a faculty member at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. Kim taught a four-week beginning genealogy class at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of South Florida in Tampa and also wrote a series of columns for the Association of Personal Historians about how to incorporate genealogical research in personal histories.\u00a0Prior to being a full-time genealogist and personal historian, Kim was a Communications Director, Designer, and Managing Editor at the University of South Florida and worked in film and television production, primarily for PBS. Find her at\u00a0www.rootstories.com.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How to Easily Move Your Family Tree From (or To) Ancestry, MyHeritage or FindMyPast Last Updated December 30, 2023 Ancestry 50% Off Gift Memberships for Black Friday (Gift to Anyone, Even Yourself!) We\u2019ve been talking a lot about family tree programs lately. We recently published a guide to finding the best family tree program for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2],"class_list":["post-495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genealogy-guides","tag-db"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=495"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":510,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495\/revisions\/510"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nHow to Download Your Tree from Ancestry.com<\/h2>\n
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\nHow to Download your Tree from FindMyPast<\/h2>\n
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\nHow to Download Your Family Tree from MyHeritage<\/h2>\n
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<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\nWhat about other family tree sites or software?<\/h3>\n