Most people don’t think about downloading a copy of their family tree until something unexpected happens.
When they switch to a new laptop or they want to try a different genealogy program, they might realize that years of family history are sitting inside one online account with no proper backup saved elsewhere.
That’s usually when people start searching for GEDCOM files. Ancestry gives users the option to export their family tree as a GEDCOM file, which can later be stored safely, shared with relatives, or imported into genealogy software like Family Tree Maker.
And honestly, even if you never plan to move away from Ancestry, keeping a backup copy of your tree is still one of the smartest things you can do.
What is a GEDCOM File?
A GEDCOM file allows genealogy programs to exchange data without forcing users to rebuild their tree manually every time they switch. So if you ever move your ancestry tree into another program, the GEDCOM file is what carries the information over.
A GEDCOM ancestry file includes the following:
- Names and family relationships
- Birth and death records
- Marriage details
- Notes and family events
- Citations and source references
- Basic family tree structure
One important thing to know is that a GEDCOM file mainly stores genealogy information such as names, dates, relationships, and notes.
Standard GEDCOM files mainly contain genealogy data and references to media files, not the actual photographs or documents themselves. If the related media folders are not transferred separately, image links may stop working after import.
Why Do People Export GEDCOM Files?
There isn’t only one reason for exporting the GEDCOM file. Some users are moving into another genealogy platform, while others want a backup copy sitting safely on their computer. And some people simply feel more comfortable knowing their family history exists in more than one place.
Considering how much time usually goes into genealogy research, that makes sense.
Family trees rarely get built overnight; a few names slowly turn into years of records, notes, relationships, and stories connected over time.
Common reasons people export GEDCOM files include:
- Creating a backup of ancestry research
- Moving a tree into Family Tree Maker
- Sharing genealogy information with relatives
- Uploading family tree data elsewhere
- Saving offline copies of research
- Protecting years of work
Even people who stay with Ancestry long-term still export a GEDCOM file once in a while just to be safe.
How Do I Get a GEDCOM File from Ancestry?
Start by signing into your Ancestry account and opening the family tree you want to save. After the tree opens, look near the upper-left side of the screen for the tree name. Clicking it opens a small menu where you will find an option called Tree Settings.
Inside the settings page, Ancestry shows a section labeled “Export Tree.”
Clicking that option starts preparing the GEDCOM ancestry file.
Smaller trees are usually ready quickly. Larger trees with years of records sometimes take longer, so don’t worry if the export does not appear immediately.
Once the file is ready, Ancestry displays a button labelled, download your GEDCOM file
Click the button and save the file somewhere easy to locate later.
Many users keep one copy on their computer and another in cloud storage or on an external drive. It’s a small precaution, but one that can save a lot of frustration later.
What Information Gets Included in the GEDCOM File?
A GEDCOM file transfers most genealogy data properly, but it may not duplicate everything exactly the same way it appears online.
Here’s the type of information that usually transfers successfully:
- Birth and death records
- Marriage details
- Name and family relationships
- Notes and citations
- Family events
If your ancestry tree contains important photographs or scanned documents, it’s always smart to keep copies of those files.
Importing and Exporting GEDCOM Files in Family Tree Maker
After downloading a GEDCOM file from Ancestry, many users move their family tree into Family Tree Maker to continue working on their research offline.
The process usually begins by creating a new tree inside Family Tree Maker and selecting the option to import an existing GEDCOM file. Once the saved .ged file is selected, the software automatically starts organizing the family tree data.
The time it takes to finish the import can vary from a few minutes to several, depending on the size of the tree.
Most names, relationships, records, notes, and events are usually transferred without much trouble. However, users sometimes notice small formatting differences after import, especially with notes or source citations.
Family Tree Maker also allows users to export GEDCOM files later if they want to move their research into another genealogy program or create additional backups.
This flexibility is one reason many genealogy researchers continue using Family Tree Maker when managing large family history projects.
Problems Users Sometimes Run Into
Most GEDCOM exports work without major issues, but there are a few problems that show up fairly often. These are:
Photos Missing After Import
This is often surprising for first-time users because GEDCOM files transfer genealogy data rather than actual image files.
Duplicate Relatives Appearing
Occasionally another genealogy program creates duplicate family members during import. Usually such duplication happens because different programs organize relationships and source information a little differently behind the scenes.
Notes or Formatting Looking Different
Users may notice that notes, spacing, or citations change after they move a tree between genealogy programs. This usually happens because genealogy programs handle GEDCOM data differently.
Most of the core information still transfers correctly, but small formatting differences are fairly common.
Large Trees Taking Longer to Process
If your ancestry tree contains thousands of records, exporting the GEDCOM file can take additional time. A lot of users assume something froze when the export simply needs a few more minutes to finish processing.
Tips To Upload GEDCOM Files
Before moving your tree into another program, a few simple precautions can make the process smoother. These are:
- Keep more than one backup copy
- Save photographs separately
- Rename GEDCOM files using dates
- Review privacy settings for living relatives
- Test imports before deleting original trees
How Can Family Tree Makers Support Help?
Genealogy software is helpful, but it can also become frustrating when something suddenly stops working.
Some users run into GEDCOM import problems. Others experience syncing issues between Ancestry and Family Tree Maker. There are also situations where backups fail, files become corrupted, or users simply are not sure whether their export completed correctly.
That’s where Family Tree Makers Support can help.
Their team assists users with GEDCOM import and export issues, Family Tree Maker setup problems, tree syncing errors, backup and restore support, file recovery assistance, and general genealogy software troubleshooting.
Final Thoughts
Family trees usually grow slowly over time. A few records eventually turn into years of stories, relatives, research, and connections that would be difficult to rebuild from scratch.
That’s why downloading a GEDCOM file from Ancestry is important. Whether you plan to upload GEDCOM files into Family Tree Maker Support, create an offline backup, or simply keep your genealogy research protected, exporting your ancestry tree every once in a while is a smart habit.
It only takes a few minutes, but it gives you far more control over your family history data.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a GEDCOM ancestry file?
Answer: A GEDCOM ancestry file is a file used to transfer family tree information between genealogy programs and genealogy websites.
2. How do I get a GEDCOM file from Ancestry?
Answer: After opening your family tree settings in Ancestry, you will find an option called “Export Tree.” That option prepares the GEDCOM file so it can be downloaded and saved on your computer.
3. Can I upload GEDCOM files into Family Tree Maker?
Answer: Yes, Family Tree Maker supports GEDCOM imports, which allow users to move existing ancestry tree data into the software.
4. What do importing and exporting a GEDCOM file mean?
Answer: It simply means moving genealogy information from one program to another using a GEDCOM file.
5. Does a GEDCOM file include photos?
Answer: A GEDCOM file transfers genealogy information such as names, dates, relationships, and notes. Photographs and media files are generally not included inside the GEDCOM itself and usually need to be transferred separately.
6. Can I upload GEDCOM files back into Ancestry?
Answer: Yes, Ancestry allows users to upload GEDCOM files and create family trees from previously exported genealogy data.
Disclaimer:
Family Tree Maker is officially available only for Windows and Mac operating systems. It is not officially supported on Linux.