How to Update Your Family Tree Settings on Ancestry (Name, Description, & Home Person)

As your research grows, the generic name you originally gave your family tree—like “My First Tree” or “Smith Family Tree”—might no longer fit. Perhaps you have discovered a new branch, or maybe you want to add a description so distant cousins know exactly which “John Smith” lineage you are tracing.

Updating your tree’s “metadata” (the settings behind the scenes) is crucial for keeping your research organized. It also helps Ancestry’s algorithms suggest better hints. This guide covers how to rename your tree, update its description, and change the “Home Person” to ensure your view is always centered on the right ancestor.

How to Rename Your Family Tree on Ancestry

If your tree name is vague, it is harder for you to distinguish it from other trees in your account. Renaming it does not break any links or delete any people; it simply changes the label.

1. Go to Your Tree: Log in and click the Trees tab in the main navigation. Select the tree you want to update.
2. Open Settings: Click the tree name in the top-left corner (next to the home icon) and select Tree Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. Edit the Name: In the first tab labeled “Tree Info,” look for the “Tree Name” field.
4. Type the New Name: Be specific (e.g., “Johnson Family of Ohio – 1800s” is better than just “Johnson Tree”).
5. Save: Click the green Save Changes button at the bottom.

How to Update Your Ancestry Tree Description (And Why It Matters)

Right below the name field, you will see a box for “Tree Description.” Most users leave this blank, but filling it out is a powerful way to attract the right research partners.

• What to write: List the main surnames, the geographic region (e.g., “Yorkshire, England”), and the time period.
• The Benefit: When other users find your tree in search results, this description helps them decide if you are a relevant match before they message you.

How to Change the Home Person on Ancestry

When you open your tree, does it start on a random great-aunt instead of you? This happens if the “Home Person” is set incorrectly. Updating this ensures the tree always opens on the correct primary individual.

1. Stay in the Tree Settings > Tree Info tab.
2. Look for the “Home Person” section on the right side.
3. Click Change.
4. Select the Correct Person: Type your name (or the main ancestor you are researching) and select them from the list.
5. Save: Now, every time you open this tree, it will center on that individual.

Pro Tip: If your tree has become too messy to fix and you want to start over with a clean slate, you might find it easier to simply remove the entire family tree and upload a fresh GEDCOM file instead.

Ancestry Tree Privacy and Sharing Settings

While you are in the settings, it is a good time to review who can see your work. If you are making significant changes or correcting major errors, you might want to temporarily hide your work from the public.

You can check the “Privacy Settings” tab to restrict who can view your research. This allows you to work in “Private Mode” until your updates are complete and you are ready to share again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Keeping your tree settings updated is about more than just organization—it is about discoverability. By using a clear name and a detailed description, you increase the chances that a distant cousin with valuable photos or bible records will find your tree and reach out to share them.