Help Using Ancestry.com

Which Ancestry Membership is Best for You in 2026?

By far the most popular paid genealogy membership site out there, Ancestry has a huge number of records, tools and resources to help researchers at any level. But with several levels of access it can be hard to know which Ancestry membership is best for your needs.

Should Your Ancestry Tree Be Public or Private?

Public or private? This is one of the first decisions Ancestry.com asks you to make when you create your family tree. Indicating your preferred sharing status is as simple as checking a box, but it’s not a trivial decision.

7 Expert Ancestry Hacks You Need to Try Today

No matter how many years you’ve spent building your family tree on Ancestry, there’s always something new to learn. Whether it’s a brand new feature that’s just been introduced or a hidden gem you’ve never noticed, there are plenty of ways to improve your searches. Here are 7 tactics the experts use to get the most out of Ancestry.com.

The 10-Minute Solution for Downloading Your Ancestry Tree and Records

Many of us keep our trees on Ancestry, even if we don’t always subscribe to their somewhat pricey record subscription service. Because Ancestry’s online family tree is easy and free, it’s a great alternative to paid programs. But backing up that tree, along with its attached records and other media, can be a major challenge – despite how important it is to do so.