If you are researching your family history, you might have come across both Family Tree Maker 2017 and Ancestry.
Usually, people assume both tools perform the same tasks, but this is not true. Both involve family trees, but they serve different purposes.
This confusion is common, especially among beginners. Someone starts a tree on Ancestry, finds a few records, and everything seems simple. A year later, that same tree may contain hundreds of relatives, dozens of photographs, and years of research. That’s usually when questions start to appear: do I need Family Tree Maker 2017, or can I use both? What happens if my Ancestry subscription ends? How does FamilySync work?
The answers become much clearer once you understand what each platform was designed to do.
What Is Ancestry?
Ancestry is an online genealogy platform built for research; it helps users find information about their ancestors through historical records and family connections.
Using Ancestry, researchers can search census records, birth records, marriage records, death records, military records, immigration records, newspaper archives and DNA matches.
One reason Ancestry became so popular is that it makes genealogy more accessible. You can find most of the information in one place, so you don’t have to search multiple databases or spend hours in archives. It also gives hints that may connect your family tree to relevant historical records.
For someone just beginning their genealogy journey, that’s a huge advantage.
What Is Family Tree Maker 2017?
Family Tree Maker 2017 is desktop genealogy software that runs on your computer. Instead of focusing on record discovery, it focuses on managing and preserving your family history.
Ancestry helps you find information, whereas Family Tree Maker helps you organize it. With Family Tree Maker 2017, users can build detailed family trees, store photographs and documents, manage source citations, create charts and reports, maintain local backups and synchronize with Ancestry.
Unlike an online platform, your tree is stored on your computer. That difference becomes important as your research grows.
Family Tree Maker 2017 VS Ancestry
The easiest way to understand the difference is to look at where your data lives.
With Ancestry, your tree is stored online, but with Family Tree Maker 2017, it is stored on your computer. At first, that may not seem critical. But a common situation we see is when a researcher spends years building a tree and suddenly starts thinking about backup protection.
After investing hundreds of hours in family history research, many people become uncomfortable relying on a single location for their data.
That’s the main reason Family Tree Maker remains popular: it provides a local copy of your work.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Family Tree Maker 2017 | Ancestry |
| Platform | Desktop Software | Online Website |
| Internet Required | Not for daily usage | Yes |
| Historical Records | Through Ancestry Integration | Yes |
| Local Storage | Yes | No |
| Backup Control | Full Control | Limited Control |
| DNA Matching | Organization only | Yes |
| FamilySearch Integration | Yes | No |
| Reports and Charts | Yes | Basic |
| Subscription Requirement | One-time software purchase | Yes, to access some records |
Why FamilySync Is Important
If there is one feature that changed the relationship between Family Tree Maker and Ancestry, it is FamilySync. Many long-time users remember TreeSync, which connected Family Tree Maker and Ancestry in earlier years.
Software MacKiev then introduced FamilySync in Family Tree Maker 2017. FamilySync allows users to synchronize their desktop tree with their online Ancestry tree.
The benefit is you don’t have to maintain two separate trees manually.
Imagine spending an evening on Ancestry reviewing hints and attaching records to family members. If synchronization wasn’t possible, every change would need to be entered again into your desktop software. FamilySync helps eliminate that extra work; it requires an Ancestry account and an internet connection when synchronization is performed.
FamilySync is available only for trees that have been linked between Family Tree Maker and Ancestry.
Why Many Researchers Keep a Local Copy of Their Tree
This scenario is where Family Tree Maker often proves its value. A situation that comes up frequently involves computer upgrades. Someone purchases a new computer and suddenly realizes they aren’t entirely sure where all of their genealogy data is stored.
Another user may accidentally delete files or lose access to an older device. Sometimes researchers just want to feel secure.
Having a local copy means:
- Your research remains accessible offline.
- You can create your own backups
- You control where the data is stored.
- Your work isn’t dependent on a single platform.
For family historians who have spent years building their trees, that extra control is often worth having.
FamilySearch Integration Was a Major FTM 2017 Feature
FamilySearch integration is one feature that users often overlook. Family Tree Maker 2017 introduced the ability to search FamilySearch records directly from within the software.
Users can review possible matches, compare information, and merge selected records into their trees.
The FamilySearch searching, matching, and merging workflow is designed to work in a similar way to the Ancestry workflow inside Family Tree Maker.
AncestryDNA in FTM 2017
DNA testing and DNA matching are provided through the Ancestry platform. Family Tree Maker 2017 does not perform DNA testing and does not provide DNA matching services.
Researchers who use AncestryDNA may update their FTM 2017 tree using information obtained through their genealogy research. Family Tree Maker 2017 can store individuals, relationships, notes, sources, photographs, and other family tree data within the software.
DNA results and DNA matches continue to be accessed through Ancestry, while Family Tree Maker 2017 is used for maintaining and managing family tree information on a desktop computer.
Is Family Tree Maker owned by Ancestry?
Many users are surprised to learn that the answer is no. Family Tree Maker was originally associated with Ancestry. However, when Ancestry decided to discontinue the software, Software MacKiev acquired the Family Tree Maker product line and continued development.
The products work closely together, but they are developed by different companies. Today, Family Tree Maker continues to integrate with Ancestry through FamilySync, while it remains a separate product.
Is Family Tree Maker 2017 a Free Family Tree Maker for Ancestry?
People often search for a Free Family Tree Maker for Ancestry because they want a way to protect their family tree outside of Ancestry.
Family Tree Maker 2017 is not free software. When a tree contains years of research, photographs, documents, and family stories, having a local copy becomes valuable. The goal isn’t to replace Ancestry but to complement it.
Common Problems Users Experience
No genealogy platform is perfect. Occasionally users run into technical issues. Some of the most common include the following:
- FamilySync Errors: Large trees or interrupted connections can sometimes create synchronization problems.
- Missing Media Files: Photos and documents may appear disconnected after moving files between computers.
- Duplicate Individuals: Merging records from different sources can occasionally create duplicate relatives.
- Login and Subscription Issues: Some users need ancestry account support when dealing with account access, billing questions, or subscription-related concerns.
- Tree Migration Challenges: Moving Family Tree Maker 2017 to a new computer sometimes creates confusion about backups and file locations.
The good news is that most of these issues can be resolved with the right guidance.
How Family Tree Makers Support Can Help
Most people would rather spend time researching their ancestors than troubleshooting software. That’s where Family Tree Makers Support can help. Some support requests are basic. A user may need help installing Family Tree Maker 2017 on a new computer.
Others are more urgent, such as when the synchronization process stops unexpectedly. A tree file refuses to open. Media files appear to be missing. When years of research are involved, those situations can feel stressful.
Family Tree Makers Support can assist with Family Tree Maker installation, FamilySync troubleshooting, Tree migration, Backup and restore procedures, Media recovery, ancestry account support concerns, Software updates, and general troubleshooting.
Having experienced assistance available can make a difficult situation much easier to manage.
Final Thoughts
The debate between Family Tree Maker 2017 and Ancestry often starts with the wrong question. It isn’t about which one is better. It’s about what each one does best.
Family Tree Maker 2017 is an excellent management tool. It helps users organize, protect, back up, and preserve everything they discover. Ancestry is an excellent research platform. It helps users discover records, DNA matches, and historical information.
For researchers who are serious about preserving their work, that combination is hard to match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Ancestry and Family Tree Maker 2017?
Answer: Ancestry is an online genealogy platform focused on records and research. Family Tree Maker 2017 is desktop software designed to organize, manage, and preserve family history data.
2. Can Family Tree Maker 2017 sync with Ancestry?
Answer: Yes, FamilySync allows users to synchronize their Family Tree Maker 2017 tree with their Ancestry tree.
3. Can I use AncestryDNA in FTM 2017?
Answer: DNA testing and matching occur on Ancestry. Family Tree Maker helps organize and document discoveries made through DNA research.
4. Is Family Tree Maker owned by Ancestry?
Answer: No, Family Tree Maker is developed and maintained by Software MacKiev and not Ancestry.
5. Why do researchers use both Family Tree Maker and Ancestry?
Answer: Many researchers use Ancestry for finding records and Family Tree Maker for backups, organization, reporting, and long-term preservation.
6. Where can I get help with Family Tree Maker issues?
Answer: Family Tree Makers Support can assist with installation, synchronization, migration, backups, troubleshooting, and ancestry account support concerns.
Disclaimer: Please note that Family Tree Maker is available for use only on Windows and macOS systems.
FTM is incompatible with Linux-based operating systems. Users planning to install or upgrade should ensure their device meets the supported system requirements.