If you are moving your family tree from Ancestry to Family Tree Maker, one question usually comes first: can I download my Ancestry Tree to Family Tree Maker for free?
The answer is yes, but only if you understand what “free” actually includes.
Ancestry allows you to export your family tree as a GEDCOM file at no cost. That file contains your family tree’s core information, such as names, relationships, and life events, and it can be imported into Family Tree Maker.
However, a GEDCOM is not a complete copy of your Ancestry tree.
If your tree includes family photographs, historical record images, that information won’t be included in a standard GEDCOM export.
That’s why many Family Tree Maker users choose to download their tree directly through the software instead of relying on a GEDCOM alone. This method creates a richer desktop copy of your research and allows you to continue using Family Tree Maker Sync with Ancestry to keep both trees updated.
In this blogpost, you will learn:
- What you can download from Ancestry for free?
- What a GEDCOM file includes and what it leaves behind?
- When Family Tree Maker the better option?
- How to download your tree correctly?
- Whether you should Sync Family Tree Maker 2019 to Ancestry?
- If a Family Tree Maker 2019 upgrade or the FTM 2024 25.0.2 Update is worth considering
By the end, you will know which method best protects your family history and avoids common mistakes.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can download your Ancestry tree for free as a GEDCOM file and import it into Family Tree Maker. However, a GEDCOM only transfers your family tree data. If you want your attached photos, historical records, source citations, and ongoing synchronization, downloading your tree directly through Family Tree Maker is the better option.
GEDCOM vs. Family Tree Maker Download: What’s the Difference?
Before downloading your tree, it’s important to understand the difference between a free GEDCOM export and downloading your tree through Family Tree Maker.
| Feature | Free GEDCOM Export | Family Tree Maker Download |
| People and Family Relationships | ✅ | ✅ |
| Facts (Birth, marriage & death) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Notes | ✅ | ✅ |
| Photographs | ❌ | ✅ |
| Images of Historical Records | ❌ | ✅ |
| Attached Documents | ❌ | ✅ |
| Future sync | ❌ | ✅ |
| Best for | One-time export | Long term backup |
If your goal is to move your family tree to another genealogy program, a GEDCOM may be enough. If your goal is to preserve years of research, photographs, and attached records, downloading directly into Family Tree Maker is better.
Support Tip:
If your Ancestry tree contains years of attached photographs, census records, military records, or scanned documents, avoid relying on a GEDCOM as your only backup. Downloading your tree directly into Family Tree Maker preserves much more of your research and makes future synchronization much easier.
Can You Download Your Ancestry Tree for Free?
Yes, every Ancestry user can export their family tree as a GEDCOM (.ged) file. This is the standard file format used by genealogy software and is designed to transfer family tree information between different programs.
A GEDCOM includes individual names, relationships, birth, marriage, and death information, and basic notes.
The export process is simple and doesn’t require Family Tree Maker.
Why Doesn’t a GEDCOM Include Everything?
When you look at your Ancestry tree online, everything appears together, family members, photographs, census records, military records, newspaper articles, and personal documents.
It’s natural to assume that downloading your tree means downloading everything you see.
Unfortunately, that’s not how the GEDCOM format works. GEDCOM was created as a universal way for genealogy programs to exchange family tree information. Its purpose is to transfer people, relationships, and events and not large collections of digital media.
If preserving your media is important, you will need a different approach.
Important:
A GEDCOM is designed to transfer genealogy data, not every type of media attached to your online tree. Missing photos or historical record images after importing a GEDCOM usually indicate a limitation of the file format, not a problem with Family Tree Maker.
Why Do Many Users Choose Family Tree Maker?
Family Tree Maker connects directly to your Ancestry account. Instead of importing only a GEDCOM, it downloads a much more complete version of your family tree.
Depending on the information attached to your Ancestry tree, this can include the following:
- Family members
- Relationships
- Events
- Notes
- Source citations
- Family photographs
- Historical record images
- Attached documents
- Other supported media
This feature creates a desktop copy that is much closer to what users see on Ancestry.
It also means you don’t have to rebuild your research manually after importing a GEDCOM.
Another advantage is ownership.
While your Ancestry tree lives online, Family Tree Maker stores a copy on your own computer. Many researchers appreciate having local access to their work, especially when traveling or working without an internet connection.
How Do You Download Your Ancestry Tree into Family Tree Maker?
Below are the steps to download your Ancestry Tree into Family Tree Maker:
Step 1: Install Family Tree Maker
First, install a supported version of Family Tree Maker on your Windows or Mac computer.
If you are using an older version, install the latest available updates before connecting to Ancestry.
Step 2: Sign In to Your Ancestry Account
Open Family Tree Maker and choose the option to connect to Ancestry. After this, sign in using the same account that contains your family tree.
Step 3: Choose the Tree You Want to Download
If your account contains multiple family trees, select the one you want to download.
Step 4: Download the Tree
Family Tree Maker will begin copying your tree to your computer. The initial download may take a few minutes or longer for large trees.
Step 5: Save Your Desktop Copy
Once the download is complete, save your Family Tree Maker file. You now have a local copy of your family tree that you can continue editing and back up regularly.
What Is Family Tree Maker Sync with Ancestry?
One of the biggest advantages of Family Tree Maker is that it keeps your desktop tree connected to your online Ancestry tree. This feature is called Family Tree Maker Sync with Ancestry. It lets you synchronize changes instead of exporting and importing a new GEDCOM every time you update your research.
Think of it as maintaining two copies of the same family tree, one online and one on your computer.
You can add a new ancestor in Family Tree Maker and sync the change to Ancestry, attach a family photograph on Ancestry and download it to your desktop tree. You can correct dates, places, or notes in either location and keep both copies up to date.
You can continue researching offline, then synchronize your changes when you’re connected to the internet again.
For active researchers, this workflow is much easier than repeatedly importing GEDCOM files.
Expert Tip: Use GEDCOM exports for one-time transfers between genealogy programs. If you regularly update your Ancestry tree, syncing through Family Tree Maker is the more efficient and reliable option.
Can You Still Sync Family Tree Maker 2019 to Ancestry?
Yes, many researchers continue to Sync Family Tree Maker 2019 to Ancestry without any issues.
If your software is properly installed and updated, you can:
- Download an existing Ancestry tree
- Upload a new Family Tree Maker tree
- Synchronize approved changes between your desktop and online trees.
- Continue building your family history without repeatedly exporting GEDCOM files.
If you are already using Family Tree Maker 2019 and everything is working well, you don’t necessarily need to change your workflow. However, keeping your software updated is still recommended for the best compatibility and performance.
Should You Upgrade from Family Tree Maker 2019?
A Family Tree Maker 2019 upgrade isn’t always essential, but it can be worthwhile depending on your setup. Consider upgrading if you:
- Purchased a new Windows or Mac computer
- Updated your operating system
- Want the latest compatibility improvements
- Experience synchronization or performance issues
- Prefer ongoing software support and maintenance updates
If Family Tree Maker 2019 is stable and meets your needs, there’s no need to rush. But for users who rely on their genealogy software regularly, staying reasonably current helps avoid compatibility problems as technology evolves.
What Does the FTM 2024 25.0.2 Update Include?
The FTM 2024 25.0.2 Update focuses on improving the reliability and overall performance of Family Tree Maker. The update doesn’t introduce major new features but focuses on improved stability, better synchronization reliability, performance enhancements, bug fixes and compatibility improvements for current versions of Windows and macOS.
Installing the latest available update helps ensure your software continues to work smoothly, especially if you regularly synchronize with Ancestry.
Which Option Should You Choose?
The best method depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
A Free GEDCOM Is Best If You
- Want a basic copy of your family tree
- Need to move your tree to another genealogy program
- Have very few attached photographs or documents
- Don’t need ongoing synchronization
Family Tree Maker Is Best If You
- Want to preserve as much of your research as possible
- Have hundreds of attached records or family photos
- Prefer working on your computer
- Want Family Tree Maker Sync with Ancestry
- Need reports, charts, and other desktop features
- Want a dependable backup of years of genealogy research
For many casual researchers, a GEDCOM is enough. For anyone who has spent years building a detailed family history, Family Tree Maker provides a much more complete solution.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before downloading your tree, keep these simple tips in mind:
Don’t Assume a GEDCOM Is a Complete Backup
A GEDCOM is excellent for transferring genealogy data, but it doesn’t preserve most attached media.
If your photographs and historical records matter, download your tree directly into Family Tree Maker.
Create a Backup Before Major Changes
Even if you are synchronizing your tree, it’s good practice to keep a separate backup of your Family Tree Maker file on an external drive or trusted cloud storage service.
Keep Your Software Updated
Using the latest version of FTM reduces compatibility or sync problems and benefits you from ongoing improvements.
Final Thoughts
A GEDCOM is ideal if you only need your family tree’s core information. If your tree contains years of photographs, historical records, source citations, and detailed research, downloading your tree directly into Family Tree Maker gives you a much richer desktop copy and the ability to continue using Family Tree Maker Sync with Ancestry.
Whether you are planning to Sync Family Tree Maker 2019 to Ancestry, considering a Family Tree Maker 2019 upgrade, or installing the latest FTM 2024 25.0.2 Update, keeping your software current and maintaining regular backups will help protect your family history for years to come.
Your genealogy research represents countless hours of discovery. Choosing the right download method today will make it easier to preserve that work for future generations.
If preserving years of genealogy research is important to you, downloading your tree directly into Family Tree Maker is usually the safest long-term approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I download my Ancestry tree to Family Tree Maker for free?
Yes, you can download your Ancestry tree to Family Tree Maker for free but just keep in mind that a GEDCOM doesn’t include photos or historical record images.
2. Does a GEDCOM file include family photographs?
No, a GEDCOM file doesn’t include any media.
3. What’s the difference between a GEDCOM and Family Tree Maker Sync with Ancestry?
A GEDCOM is a one-time export of your genealogy data. Family Tree Maker Sync with Ancestry keeps your desktop tree and online tree connected, so you can synch approved changes over time.
4. Can I still Sync Family Tree Maker 2019 to Ancestry?
Yes, Family Tree Maker 2019 still supports it if the software is properly installed.
5. Do I need an Ancestry subscription to use Family Tree Maker?
Both are different products; you can use FTM without an Ancestry subscription but access to Ancestry’s subscription-only records depends on your Ancestry membership.
6. Can I work offline in Family Tree Maker?
Yes, you can work offline in Family Tree Maker.
7. Is Family Tree Maker a reliable backup for my Ancestry tree?
Yes, Family Tree Maker is a good backup for an Ancestry tree, as it stores a local copy of the research carried out.
8. How often should I synch my tree?
You can sync your tree whenever you have many changes to it.
9. Can I download someone else’s Ancestry tree?
You can only download a tree you own or one shared with you with the appropriate permissions.
Disclaimer: Family Tree Maker is only available for Windows and macOS. It does not support Linux-based operating systems.