Most of the time, syncing your family tree works flawlessly. Occasionally, however, something may prevent it from completing. When Family Tree Maker syncs with Ancestry is working as expected, keeping your family tree up to date is simple. You can make changes in Family Tree Maker or on your linked Ancestry tree and then synchronize those updates between both copies.
The process does not always go smoothly, though. A sync may stop halfway through, refuse to start, or display an unexpected error. Sometimes no error appears at all, but the changes you made never reach the other tree.
The good news is that most synchronization problems have a clear cause. Often, the issue is related to an outdated version of Family Tree Maker, a problem with the linked Ancestry account, a damaged tree file, or an interrupted internet connection. Working through a few basic checks is often enough to restore normal syncing.
This guide explains how Family Tree Sync works, why it can stop responding, and the practical steps recommended by Software MacKiev and Ancestry to help you get your trees synchronized again.
How Does Family Tree Maker Sync with Ancestry Work?
Before you try to fix a synchronization problem, it’s important to find out what happens in the background.
TreeSync links one Family Tree Maker file to one Ancestry online tree. During each synchronization, the software compares both copies and determines what has changed since the last successful sync. New people, updated facts, photographs, and other supported changes are then transferred between the desktop file and the online tree.
Because TreeSync depends on an active connection between two copies of the same tree, everything involved in that connection must stay available. Make sure your Ancestry account is signed in, the linked tree still exists, the software is up to date, and you are using a stable internet connection.
If any part of that chain is interrupted, synchronization may fail or stop unexpectedly.
Common Reasons Family Tree Maker Won’t Sync with Ancestry
A small number of issues cause most TreeSync problems. Rather than making random changes to your computer, it is better to check each possibility one at a time.
An Unstable Internet Connection
TreeSync exchanges information with Ancestry while the synchronization is running. If your internet connection drops, even briefly, the process may not complete successfully.
Before starting another sync, ensure you are using a stable connection. It is also a good idea to avoid putting your computer to sleep while synchronization is in progress.
A stable connection may seem minor, but it is one of the most common reasons synchronization fails.
Family Tree Maker Needs an Update
Running an older build of Family Tree Maker can also prevent successful synchronization. MacKiev releases maintenance updates that improve compatibility with Ancestry and resolve known TreeSync issues. Installing the latest update is one of the first checks worth completing before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting.
After installing an update, restart Family Tree Maker and try another synchronization. If you have postponed operating system updates, install those as well, since they can affect how the software communicates with online services.
The Linked Tree Has Changed
TreeSync only works when your desktop file remains connected to its original Ancestry tree.
Problems can appear if the online tree has been deleted, replaced with another copy, or restored from an older backup. In those situations, Family Tree Maker may no longer recognize the connection that was created when the tree was first linked.
Open the tree connection settings and confirm that the desktop file is still associated with the correct Ancestry tree before attempting another synchronization.
Sign In Problems
It is surprisingly simple to overlook an account issue. If you recently changed your Ancestry password, signed out of your account, or use more than one Ancestry login, Family Tree Maker may no longer be connected to the correct account.
Signing out of Ancestry within Family Tree Maker and then signing back in often refreshes the connection. While doing this, verify that you are using the same account that owns the linked tree.
Compact the Tree File
Not every synchronization problem is caused by the internet or your Ancestry account. Sometimes the Family Tree Maker file itself needs routine maintenance. The Compact File features reorganized the internal database and helped remove any inconsistencies that may develop over time. This feature should be used as part of normal maintenance, especially before troubleshooting TreeSync problems.
Create a backup of your tree first, run Compact File, and then repeat the process two or three times before reopening the file. Although it only takes a few moments, this step often resolves issues that are difficult to explain otherwise.
An Interrupted Synchronization
TreeSync works best when it is allowed to finish without interruption. Closing Family Tree Maker, restarting your computer, or losing your internet connection while synchronization is still running may cause the desktop and online trees to become inconsistent with each other.
If a sync is interrupted, reopen the program, confirm that everything is connected correctly, and start another synchronization. Avoid making additional changes until the process completes successfully.
Family Tree Maker 2017 and Ancestry
Many people continue using Family Tree Maker 2017 and Ancestry every day, and TreeSync remains supported for users running the latest available updates.
If you are still using Family Tree Maker 2017, make sure every official update from Software MacKiev has been installed. Older builds may still have issues that maintenance releases have already corrected.
After updating the software, check that your tree is still linked to the correct Ancestry account before you start the synchronization. Taking a few minutes to verify these details can prevent unnecessary troubleshooting later.
Free Family Tree Maker for Ancestry
Searches for Free Family Tree Maker for Ancestry are common, but there is often confusion about what is officially available. Family Tree Maker is developed by Software MacKiev. Existing customers may qualify for upgrade pricing, while new users usually purchase a licensed copy through official channels.
If you come across websites that are providing free FTM versions, be cautious. Buying from official sources will ensure you get access to official resources whenever you require them without any hassle at all.
Printing Family Tree from Ancestry
After your tree has synchronized successfully, you may want to create a printed copy for your records or to share with family members. Although printing a family tree from ancestry is possible using Ancestry’s built in print options, many users prefer the additional charts and reports available in Family Tree Maker. The desktop software offers greater flexibility when choosing layouts, formatting, and print sizes.
Before printing, make sure the latest synchronization has completed successfully. That simple check helps ensure the information in your printed charts matches the most recent version of your research.
Family Tree Makers Support
If you have tried troubleshooting steps but still TreeSync isn’t working, Family Tree Makers Support can assist you with the problem. Whether the issue is with the synchronization, software updates, installation, or your tree file, having the correct version details and any error messages available will make the troubleshooting process much easier.
Final Thoughts
A sync problem does not mean something is wrong with your family tree. Sometimes issues can be very simple, such as an outdated version of Family Tree Maker, an interrupted internet connection, or a sign in problem with your Ancestry account.
Rather than trying several fixes at once, work through the basics first. Check if your software is fully updated and if the correct Ancestry account is connected, run the Compact File tool, and allow TreeSync to finish without interruption. Checking routinely will solve many issues easily without the need for advanced help.
If the problem continues after completing every recommended step, connect with the support team to identify the issue.
Keeping both your desktop tree and your online Ancestry tree synchronized is one of the best ways to protect your research. A successful TreeSync ensures that your latest discoveries remain available wherever you choose to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why won’t my Family Tree Maker sync with Ancestry?
Answer: The main reason behind the issue can be an unstable internet connection or an outdated FTM version. There can be a problem with the Ancestry tree sign in as well. Checking each of these areas usually identifies the source of the problem.
2. Does Family Tree Maker 2017 still work with Ancestry?
Answer: Yes, Family Tree Maker 2017 and Ancestry continue to work together when the software has been updated to the latest supported build released by Software MacKiev. Older builds may cause synchronization problems that Software MacKiev has already corrected.
3. How often should I use a Compact File?
Answer: Compact File is recommended as part of regular maintenance, especially before troubleshooting TreeSync issues. Many users also run it after making significant changes to a tree or before creating a backup. It reorganizes the database without changing your research data.
4. Is there a free version of Family Tree Maker for Ancestry?
Answer: There is no official Free Family Tree Maker for Ancestry that provides the full desktop software. Family Tree Maker is licensed by Software MacKiev, and new users normally purchase the program through official sources. Never download from websites that don’t look legitimate.
5. Can I print my Ancestry tree using Family Tree Maker?
Answer: Yes, after your tree has synchronized successfully, you can use Family Tree Maker’s reporting and chart tools to create printed family trees in a variety of layouts. Many users choose this option because it offers more customization than the standard printing family tree from ancestry features available on the Ancestry website.
Disclaimer
Please note that Family Tree Maker 2024 is designed for use only on Windows and macOS systems.