How to Attach a Record Image or Photo to a Source in Ancestry

A source citation tells people where you got your information (e.g., “1940 US Census”). But a citation is much more powerful if you attach the actual image of the document to it.

By attaching a photo or scanned record directly to the source, you allow other researchers to verify your work with a single click, rather than just taking your word for it.

This guide explains how to link media files—whether they are already in your gallery or new uploads from your computer—to specific sources in your tree.

Step 1: Locate the Source Citation

You generally cannot attach media to a source from the main profile overview. You must go into the detailed “Facts” view.

1. Open the Profile: Navigate to the person’s page in your family tree.
2. Go to Facts: Click the Facts tab (next to “Gallery”).
3. Find the Source: Look at the “Sources” column on the left (or bottom, depending on your view).
4. Open Source Details: Hover your mouse over the specific source (e.g., “U.S. Find a Grave Index”) and click the View button that appears.

Step 2: Access the Media Section

A popup window will appear showing the citation details.

1. Look at the menu on the left side of the popup.
2. Click the Media tab.
3. Check Current Media: If an image is already attached (like a census page provided by Ancestry), it will appear here. If it is empty, you need to add your own.

Step 3: Add the Image

You have two options here: uploading a new file or using one you already have.

Option A: Upload a New File Use this if the image is on your computer (e.g., a scanned PDF of a will).

1. Click “Add media to source.”
2. Drag and drop your file or click Choose Files.
3. Enter the title and details, then click Done.

Option B: Select from Gallery Use this if you already uploaded the photo or document to the person’s profile but forgot to link it to the source.

1. Click the plus sign (+) next to the existing image in the list.
2. This links that specific gallery image to this specific source citation.

Pro Tip: If you are building a citation from scratch and don’t have a source yet, you should first add the fact or event (like “Graduation”), create the citation, and then follow the steps above to attach the diploma image.

Why Can’t I Add Media to Some Sources?

Sometimes you will see a source where the “Add Media” button is missing or grayed out.

• Ancestry-Owned Records: If the source comes directly from an Ancestry database (like the “1950 Census”), the image is usually permanently attached by Ancestry. You often cannot add extra user-uploaded images to these official citations.
• The Fix: Create a new, separate source citation (e.g., “User Copy of Census”) and attach your high-resolution scan to that version instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Attaching media to your sources creates a “professional-grade” family tree. It ensures that when someone questions a date or name, the proof is right there attached to the citation, leaving no room for doubt.