sync Family Tree Maker 2019 to Ancestry

How to Sync Family Tree Maker 2019 to Ancestry?

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Keeping your family tree up to date becomes much easier when your desktop software and your Ancestry tree stay connected. Without synchronization, changes made in one place won’t automatically appear in the other, leaving you with two different versions of the same research.

If you use Family Tree Maker 2019, the built in FamilySync feature helps solve that problem by linking your desktop tree with your Ancestry tree. Once you connect them, you can synchronize supported changes whenever you need to. It often happens after adding new relatives, attaching historical records, or correcting dates. Before long, you are looking at two versions of the same tree and wondering which one is current.

The good news is that you don’t have to maintain two separate trees. Family Tree Maker 2019 includes FamilySync, a feature that connects your desktop tree with a matching tree on Ancestry. Once the connection is in place, you can move supported changes between both trees instead of repeating the same work twice.

This blog explains how Family Tree Maker syncs with Ancestry, what you should do before starting, what happens during the first synchronization, and how to avoid the problems that most users encounter.

Why Use FamilySync?

Before FamilySync, keeping two trees up to date often meant exporting and importing GEDCOM files whenever you made changes. It was time consuming and increased the risk of working with outdated information.

FamilySync simplifies the job by creating a permanent link between one Family Tree Maker file and one Ancestry tree. After they’re connected, supported updates can travel in either direction whenever you choose to synchronize.

It’s important to understand that this feature doesn’t compare unrelated trees or combine them into one. Instead, it keeps a matched pair of trees working together. That’s why choosing the correct tree before the first sync is so important.

For many researchers, this approach provides the advantages of both options. You can continue working offline in Family Tree Maker 2019 while still keeping an online copy available through Ancestry.

Things To Note Before You Connect Your Trees

Before you connect your trees, make sure to complete the following:

  • First, ensure that you are logged into the Ancestry account that owns the tree you want to use. If you have multiple accounts, please ensure that you are linking the correct one.
  • Next, create a backup of your Family Tree Maker file. Even though FamilySync is designed to transfer information safely, a backup gives you a reliable restore point if something unexpected interrupts the process.
  • One step that’s often overlooked is running Compact File. As you work on your tree, unused space builds up inside the database. Compacting the file reorganizes that data and helps keep the tree in excellent condition. Software MacKiev recommends doing this especially before major synchronization tasks.
  • Finally, choose a time when your internet connection is stable and you won’t need to shut down your computer. The first synchronization transfers much more information than later ones, so it may take a while to finish.

Which Tree Should You Sync?

If you have been working mainly in Family Tree Maker 2019, upload that desktop tree to Ancestry. If you have been making changes on the Ancestry website instead, download that tree to Family Tree Maker.

Trying to sync two different versions that you have both edited separately usually creates unnecessary confusion. Before linking the trees, decide which one contains your most accurate and complete research. That should become your primary tree.

How to Sync Family Tree Maker 2019 to Ancestry

Follow these steps to synchronize your tree:

  1. Once you are ready, open your tree in Family Tree Maker 2019 and sign in to your Ancestry account.
  2. If your desktop tree is the version you want to keep, choose the option to upload it. You will either create a new online tree or replace an existing one during the process. Read each screen carefully before confirming your choice, particularly if several trees already exist in your account.
  3. If your Ancestry tree is already up to date, select the option to download it instead. Family Tree Maker will display the trees linked to your account. Choose the correct one and save it to your computer.
  4. When the process finishes, FamilySync creates the connection automatically. From that point forward, you no longer need to upload or download the entire tree each time you make a change. Future synchronizations will only transfer supported updates between the linked trees.

What To Expect During the First Sync?

Don’t be surprised if first synchronization takes longer than expected. Unlike future syncs, the software isn’t simply checking for recent edits. It has to establish the relationship between both trees before it can exchange information.

The amount of time depends largely on your tree. A small project containing a few hundred people may finish fast, while a tree with thousands of individuals, attached photographs, and historical records naturally takes longer.

During this stage, leave Family Tree Maker open and allow the process to finish. If you close the program too early, it can interrupt synchronization and may require you to start again.

Once the first sync is complete, later updates are typically much faster because only new or modified information needs processing.

Manual or Automatic Sync?

Most experienced family historians prefer manually reviewing the latest research before they update the linked tree. Automatic synchronization is better if you frequently switch between Family Tree Maker 2019 and Ancestry. The software checks for available updates and lets you know when synchronization is possible.

Habits That Keep Sync Running Smoothly

Following these habits will help ensure successful synchronization:

  • Sync your tree regularly because smaller updates complete easily and are easier to troubleshoot if something doesn’t look right.
  • Work with one active copy of your linked Family Tree Maker file. Editing duplicates often creates uncertainty about which version is connected to Ancestry. You should also create backups before large editing sessions. Whether you are importing records, adding photographs, or updating hundreds of relatives, having a recent backup means you can recover your work if needed.
  • Finally, remember that routine maintenance is important. Running Compact File every so often and allowing each synchronization to finish before closing the program helps keep your tree healthy and ready for the next update.

Common Mistakes That Can Interrupt Sync

Avoid these common mistakes:

  • FamilySync is generally reliable, but many problems arise long before you click the Sync button. A small oversight can leave you wondering why changes aren’t appearing where you expect them. One mistake to avoid is checking the email address before linking a tree.
  • Another issue is working with more than one copy of the same Family Tree Maker file. One copy is stored on your desktop while another sits in a backup folder. Editing both files over time makes it difficult to know which one is actually linked to Ancestry.
  • Patience also matters during the first synchronization. It’s tempting to close the program if the progress bar seems slow, but the initial sync has much more work to do than later updates. Let it finish before shutting down your computer or closing the software.
  • Finally, don’t skip routine maintenance. A recent backup and an occasional Compact File take only a few minutes but can prevent hours of troubleshooting later.

Can You Merge Family Trees on Ancestry?

If you have created separate trees on Ancestry over the years or imported information from different sources, you will first need to decide which tree should become your primary copy. Thereafter, compare the remaining information and manually add any missing people, photographs, or facts.

Although the process takes a little extra time, it gives you complete control over what becomes part of your family history.

Once you have finished cleaning up the information, link your chosen tree to Family Tree Maker. From then on, you will maintain one desktop tree and one matching Ancestry tree, rather than trying to manage several versions.

Is There a Free Family Tree Maker for Ancestry?

Ancestry lets you build and edit family trees on its website, but Family Tree Maker is separate desktop software and requires its own license.

The advantage of using both together is flexibility. Your research remains available on your computer even when you’re offline, while FamilySync makes it easy to keep your online tree up to date whenever you’re connected to the internet.

If you are specifically searching for a Free Family Tree Maker for Ancestry, remember that Family Tree Maker itself isn’t free, even though it works alongside your Ancestry account.

When Should You Troubleshoot Sync?

Occasional delays don’t always mean something is wrong. A large tree, a slow internet connection, or temporary server activity can all increase synchronization time. But if the process keeps stopping, never finishes, or reports an error, you should start with simple checks.

  • See if the internet connection is stable.
  • Verify you are signed into the correct Ancestry account.
  • Run Compact File and restart the program before trying again.
  • Software MacKiev also provides Sync Weather, which reports known synchronization issues. If other users are also experiencing the same problem, it may be temporary rather than caused by your computer.
  • Should the problem persist after these steps, restore your latest backup and follow the official troubleshooting guidance before attempting another synchronization.

Need Assistance?

If you still can’t complete the process successfully, Family Tree Makers Support can help you identify the cause. Whether you are linking a tree for the first time, recovering after a failed sync, or resolving an unexpected error, experienced technicians can guide you through the next steps.

Final Thoughts

Keeping two copies of the same family tree updated doesn’t have to become another research project. Once you link your desktop tree and Ancestry tree correctly, FamilySync does the hard work of transferring supported changes between them.

The key is starting with the right tree, creating regular backups, running Compact File occasionally, and syncing before hundreds of changes build up. Those simple habits help keep your research accurate while reducing the chance of future sync problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I sync more than one Family Tree Maker tree with Ancestry?

Answer: Yes, each Family Tree Maker file can be linked to its own Ancestry tree.

2. Will syncing remove my Ancestry tree?

Answer: No, FamilySync updates the linked tree rather than deleting it.

3. Why is my first sync taking longer than expected?

Answer: The first synchronization creates the connection between the desktop tree and the Ancestry tree while transferring supported data. Once that’s complete, later syncs usually finish much faster.

4. Can I use Family Tree Maker without an internet connection?

Answer: Yes, you can edit your tree while offline, but you need an internet connection to sync it.

5. What should I do if FamilySync doesn’t complete?

Answer: Check your internet connection, confirm you are using the correct Ancestry account, run Compact File, and restart Family Tree Maker. If the issue continues, review Software MacKiev’s official troubleshooting resources or contact support for assistance.

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