How to Create and Export a GEDCOM File from Ancestry

A GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) file is the universal standard for sharing family trees. Think of it as the “PDF” of genealogy—it allows you to move your family history between different websites (like MyHeritage or FamilySearch) and software programs.

However, before you export your data, you must understand one critical limitation: GEDCOM files are text-only. They contain names, dates, places, and relationships, but they do not contain your photos, census images, or attached documents.

This guide covers how to export your tree from Ancestry to save a backup, and how to upload a GEDCOM file to start a new tree.

Part 1: How to Download (Export) a GEDCOM File from Ancestry

You do not need a paid subscription to download your own tree, but you must be the owner of the tree to perform this action. “Editors” and “Guests” cannot export data.

1. Go to Your Tree: Log in to Ancestry and click the Trees tab in the top menu. Select the tree you want to download.
2. Open Tree Settings: Click the name of your tree in the top-left corner (next to the home icon) and select Tree Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. Export the File: On the right-hand side of the “Tree Info” tab, you will see a green button labeled “Export Tree”. Click it.
4. Wait for Processing: Ancestry will begin generating the file.
   • Note: If you have a massive tree (10,000+ people), this may take a few minutes. The button will spin or say “In Progress.”
5. Download: Once the file is ready, the button will change to “Download Your GEDCOM File.” Click it to save the .ged file to your computer.

Pro Tip: If you click “Download” and nothing happens, or if your browser tries to open a page full of code, Right-Click the button and select “Save Link As…” to force it to save to your desktop.

Part 2: How to Upload a GEDCOM File to Ancestry

If you are moving your research from another program (like RootsMagic or Family Tree Maker) to Ancestry, you can upload a GEDCOM to instantly create a new tree.

1. Go to Trees: Click the Trees tab in the main menu and select “Create & Manage Trees” at the bottom of the list.
2. Select Upload: Click the button labeled “Upload a GEDCOM file” (usually next to “Create a new tree”).
3. Choose Your File: Click “Choose File” and select the .ged file from your computer.
4. Name the Tree: Give your new tree a name (e.g., “Smith Family 2026”).
5. Set Privacy: You must decide immediately if this tree will be public or private.
   • If you uncheck “Allow others to see my tree,” it will be hidden. You can always change this later if you decide to make your Ancestry tree private or public after reviewing the data.
6. Upload: Click the button. Ancestry will process the text and populate your new tree structure.

What Happens to Photos and Documents After Uploading a GEDCOM

As mentioned, the GEDCOM file will not transfer your family photos or scanned documents. It only transfers the text citations.

After you upload your GEDCOM to Ancestry, you will need to manually upload photos and documents again to the relevant profiles. If you are trying to create a full backup including images, you cannot do this via the website alone; you would need to sync your tree to desktop software like Family Tree Maker or RootsMagic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Creating a GEDCOM file is the best way to safeguard your years of hard work against data loss. We recommend downloading a fresh GEDCOM copy of your tree every few months and storing it on an external hard drive or cloud storage, ensuring that your research belongs to you, not just the website.