Print Your Family Tree from Ancestry.com: A Step-by-Step Guide for All Generations

Unlocking Your Ancestry: A Humorous (and Helpful) Guide to Printing Your Family Tree

So, you’ve jumped into genealogy. You’ve dug out relatives and family secrets. You have many names and dates. Now you’re wondering, “How do I print this family tree? Without a huge printer?”

Don’t worry! Printing your family tree isn’t just for techies. It’s easy. Ancestry may not have a “Print Entire Tree” button. But consider this your help guide to getting your digital tree onto paper. We’ll cover printing from Ancestry and some clever workarounds.

Printing Directly from Ancestry.com: Embrace the Sectional Approach

Let’s face it. Ancestry.com doesn’t allow you to print an entire tree at once. Yes, it’s true. You can’t click and print your whole family story. Why? Because it would need tons of paper. And likely a magnifying glass!

So, Ancestry suggests a *segmented* method. You print sections. It’s a chapter-by-chapter approach. Less “epic saga” and more “serialized novel.” But hey, serialized novels can be good too!

Printing Sections: Dots, Clicks, and Voila! (Sort Of)

Printing a part of your tree is simple once you find where to look. Ancestry hides the print function in the “More” menu, symbolized by three little dots (…). Yes, those dots hold the key to printing. Here’s how:

1. Go to the family tree you want to print.
2. Check the left toolbar for “More” (those three dots). Click on it.
3. A menu appears. Select “Print.”
4. A new print window opens with options. Click the “Print” button in the top-left corner.
5. Your browser’s print dialog box will appear. Select your printer and settings. Finally, click “OK” or “Print.” A section of your family tree will appear.

It’s not the whole tree, but it’s a start. For small branches or family groups, this method works well. Think of it as printing excerpts from your family saga.

Exploring Print Options: Beyond the Basic Tree View

But wait! Ancestry has more printing options. You can generate different formats focusing on specific people or family units. Let’s explore these alternative paths:

Family Group Sheets: The Classic Family Portrait (on Paper)

For a structured report, try the Family Group Sheet. It focuses on a family – parents and children – showing vital information in an organized way. It’s like a snapshot of a family unit.

To access the Family Group Sheet:

1. Go to your family tree.
2. Check the top-left corner for the tree name menu. Click it.
3. Select “Family Group Sheet” from the dropdown.
4. A Family Group Sheet will be made based on the current individual. Navigate to others if you want sheets for different families.
5. Find the print option (often in the top-left corner). Click “Print,” and follow the prompts.

Family Group Sheets give detailed info on specific families. They work well for sharing genealogical data with relatives who prefer traditional formats.

Profile Printing: Focusing on an Individual’s Story

Sometimes you want to print a specific ancestor’s biography – their life story from your research. Ancestry lets you do just that with profile printing.

Here’s how to print a profile:

1. In your tree, click on the person whose profile you want to print.
2. Select “Profile” from the menu that appears.
3. Make sure you’re on the “Facts” tab. This contains vital events and details.
4. Go to the top-right corner. Click the “Tools” menu.
5. Select “Print” from the menu. A print preview will open.
6. In the preview page, find “Customize” in the top-left corner. Click it.
7. Choose the information to include in the printed profile – facts, notes, sources, media, etc.
8. Once you’ve customized the profile, click “Print” and follow your browser’s prompts.

Profile printing creates mini-biographies of your ancestors. They are perfect for sharing at family gatherings or personal history projects.

Downloading and Exporting Your Tree: GEDCOM – The Genealogical Rosetta Stone

While printing directly from Ancestry has limits, you can download and export your tree as a GEDCOM file. GEDCOM stands for Genealogical Data Communication. It’s the universal format for genealogy data.

GEDCOM Files: Text-Based Treasure Troves (Minus the Photos)

GEDCOM files are text-only. They contain essential genealogical data – names, dates, places, relationships, facts – but no photos or media files. Think of it as the skeleton of your family tree.

Despite lacking media, GEDCOM files are valuable for many reasons:

• Backup: Downloading a GEDCOM backs up your work on Ancestry. This way, you have a local copy if Ancestry faces issues.
• Transferring Trees: Want to copy your tree to a different account? GEDCOM allows you to download from one account and upload into another.
• Using Genealogy Software: GEDCOM files work with genealogy software. Programs like Family Tree Maker can import GEDCOM files, allowing offline work, detailed reports, and beautiful charts.

Exporting Steps: Unleashing the GEDCOM Power

Exporting your GEDCOM file from Ancestry is straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your family tree on Ancestry.
2. Check the left toolbar for “More” (yes,
3. Those three dots are back!
4. Select “Tree Settings” from the “More” menu. You will go to your current tree’s settings page.
5. On the right side of “Tree Settings,” find the “Manage your tree” section. You will see a “Export tree” link or button. Click it.
6. A pop-up window appears with a message about exporting to GEDCOM. Click the simple “Export” button.
7. Ancestry will prepare your GEDCOM file. Depending on your tree’s size, this may take a moment.
8. When the export is done, a message indicates that your GEDCOM file is ready. Follow the prompts to download the file. It will save with a “.ged” extension. Remember its location!

Congratulations! You have successfully exported your family tree as a GEDCOM file. You now have a portable, shareable, backup-able version of your genealogical work.

Copying Trees: Duplication and Account Transfers Made Easy

GEDCOM files simplify tree duplication and transfers. Want to create a duplicate tree on Ancestry? Maybe for different research paths or a “private” version of a public tree? GEDCOM is your solution!

To create a duplicate tree on Ancestry:

1. Follow the export steps to download a GEDCOM file from the tree you want to duplicate.
2. Once you have the GEDCOM file, return to your Ancestry account.
3. Go to your “Trees” page where all family trees are listed.
4. Look for “Create a new tree” or “Upload GEDCOM.” The wording may vary, but find a way to import a GEDCOM file.
5. Select “Upload GEDCOM” and choose the GEDCOM file you just downloaded.
6. Ancestry will create a new family tree based on your GEDCOM data. This will be separate from your original, allowing modifications without affecting the source.

To copy a tree from one Ancestry account to another:

1. Export a GEDCOM file from the source Ancestry account using the export steps.
2. Log in to the destination Ancestry account.
3. In that account, follow the import/upload steps to upload the GEDCOM file.
4. The tree will now copy over to the second Ancestry account.

GEDCOM is not just for printing; it is for wrangling genealogical trees!

Converting to PDF: Digital Paper for Your Digital Tree

PDF is the Portable Document Format. It is the digital equivalent of paper. It can be viewed on almost any device and works well for sharing and archiving. Converting your family tree to PDF offers an easy way to create digital “printouts” for emailing, storing, or offline viewing.

Saving as PDF from Print Preview: The Quick and Easy Route

The simplest method to create a PDF of your Ancestry tree or selected section is to use your browser’s “Save as PDF” feature. This works well with Ancestry’s print preview option.

Here’s the PDF conversion shortcut:

1. Print a section of your tree from Ancestry until you see the print preview page in your browser.
2. Instead of choosing a physical printer, look for a “Printer” dropdown menu or a “Destination” option.
3. Select “Save as PDF” from the printer options (or a similarly worded option depending on your system and browser).
4. Click “Print” or “Save.”
5. You will choose a location to save your PDF file. Select a folder and name your PDF descriptively.
6. Click “Save.” Your browser will then generate a PDF of the print preview, capturing your tree section electronically.

This method is quick and effective directly from Ancestry’s printing interface. It is perfect for creating PDFs of tree sections, family group sheets, or individual profiles.

Converting GEDCOM to PDF: Graphical Tree Layouts and Beyond

For more sophisticated PDF outputs, consider converting your GEDCOM file to PDF using genealogy software or online tools. These tools allow you to:

• Graphically Lay Out Your Entire Tree: Visualize your family tree in various chart formats (ancestor charts, descendant charts, fan charts, etc.). This is often more comprehensive and visually appealing than printing sections directly from Ancestry.
• Customize Layout and Content: Control displays for each individual, select fonts and colors, add titles and captions, and customize how your tree looks.
• Export to PDF: After crafting your ideal layout, tools typically provide an easy “Export to PDF” option, generating a polished, print-ready document of your entire tree or chosen branches.

This method allows for greater control over final outputs, ideal for visually rich family tree charts. Many genealogy software options and online GEDCOM viewers enable GEDCOM-to-PDF conversion.

Using Family Tree Maker (FTM): The Syncing Savior for Offline Tree Tinkering

If you prefer a desktop genealogy experience, Family Tree Maker (FTM) is a popular option. FTM isn’t just standalone software. It can sync with your Ancestry.com tree for online research and offline management.

Downloading and Syncing: Bridging the Online-Offline Divide

You can download your Ancestry.com family tree to Family Tree Maker and sync them. This lets you work on your tree online (on Ancestry) and offline (in FTM), with changes flowing between them when synced. It’s like having both aspects at once – online convenience and offline power.

Here’s how to download and sync the Ancestry-to-FTM tree:

1. Install Family Tree Maker on your computer (versions 2017 and 2019 are commonly used for syncing).
2. Launch Family Tree Maker.
3. Go to the “Plan” workspace within FTM (look for “Plan” or “New Tree” depending on your version).
4. In the “New Tree” tab, look for a button or option labeled “Download from Ancestry.” Click it.
5. FTM will prompt you to log in to Ancestry.com (within FTM). Enter your Ancestry username and password.
6. Once logged in, FTM shows a list of your family trees on Ancestry.com. Choose the tree you want to download to FTM.
7. Click “Download” or a similar confirmation button.
8. Family Tree Maker will then download your selected tree to your computer, linking it to a new tree in FTM. This creates synchronization between your online Ancestry tree and local FTM tree.

After the initial download and sync, you can edit your tree in both Ancestry.com or Family Tree Maker. Changes in one will sync to the other. This creates genealogical harmony.

Exporting Branches from FTM: Selective Tree Snippets

Family Tree Maker allows control over exporting parts of your tree. If you want to export a specific branch (like descendants of an ancestor), FTM has an “Export Branch” feature.

To export a branch in FTM:

1. Open your synced Ancestry tree in Family Tree Maker.
2. Go to the “People” workspace in FTM (where you view your family tree).
3. Select the “root” person of the branch for export (e.g., your great-grandfather).
4. Right-click on the chosen person. A context menu appears.
5. Choose “Export Branch” from this menu.
6. FTM will prompt to configure options (file format, info to include, etc.). You can select GEDCOM or others.
7. Set your export preferences and click “Export.”
8. Select where to save your branch file (like a GEDCOM file).
9. Click “Save.” FTM will
10. Export the branch of your tree to a file.

This “Export Branch” feature is useful for creating GEDCOM files of specific family lines. You can share them or focus your research.

FTM Compatibility: Versions and Syncing

Ancestry syncing with Family Tree Maker mainly supports FTM versions 2017 and 2019 for Windows and Mac. Older FTM versions may lack direct syncing with Ancestry. Always check your FTM version for compatibility. Using compatible versions allows for direct downloads and better linking with your Ancestry tree, ensuring functionality.

Alternative Programs and Websites: Enhancing Genealogy

Ancestry.com and Family Tree Maker are significant. However, they are not the only options. Many alternative genealogy programs exist, each with unique strengths. Exploring them can expand your genealogical toolkit. They may provide better printing and tree management solutions.

Genealogy Software: Free and Feature-Rich Options

If you want desktop genealogy software alternatives, many excellent platforms offer free versions. These free options provide solid features for tree building, research, and reporting, including GEDCOM import/export. Some notable free genealogy software includes:

• Ancestral Quest Basics (Free): A free version of Ancestral Quest, a respected desktop program with user-friendly features.
• MyHeritage (Free Basic Plan): MyHeritage has a free basic plan for building family trees online and using some features. They provide tools to create charts and books too.
• Gramps (Free and Open Source): Gramps is a powerful, open-source genealogy program, known for its flexibility and features.
• RootsMagic Essentials (Free): This is a free version of RootsMagic, a popular desktop genealogy program with good features.
• Legacy Family Tree Standard (Free): The free version of Legacy Family Tree provides a solid foundation for managing your family tree.

These free options are excellent for those needing offline access to tree data or advanced reporting features. Many can import GEDCOM files from Ancestry, allowing you to transition your data smoothly.

MyHeritage: Charts, Books, and GEDCOM Export

MyHeritage isn’t just a website. It also offers genealogy software and tools for visualizing family history. You can create family tree charts and books on MyHeritage:

1. Hover over the “Family Tree” tab in the navigation bar, click “More.”
2. Select “Print charts & books.”
3. Choose a family tree chart format.
4. Select a style for your chart.
5. Customize your chart as desired.
6. Print your creation.

MyHeritage also allows easy export of your tree as a GEDCOM file. To export from MyHeritage:

1. Hover over the “Family tree” tab, select “Manage trees.”
2. Locate the tree you want to back up.
3. Click “Export to GEDCOM” in the Actions column.

You can then import this GEDCOM file into other genealogy programs or websites, such as FamilySearch Family Tree.

FamilySearch: GEDCOM Transfers and Collaborative Genealogy

FamilySearch Family Tree is a large, collaborative platform maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is free to use and offers a shared approach where users contribute to a global family tree. While it differs from Ancestry, FamilySearch is valuable for genealogical research.

To move information from Ancestry.com to FamilySearch, the GEDCOM file acts as a bridge. You can export a GEDCOM file from Ancestry.com then upload this data to FamilySearch Family Tree.

GEDCOM Viewers and Converters: Enhancing GEDCOM Utility

There are various GEDCOM viewers and converters that enhance your GEDCOM workflow:

• BegatAll (Free GEDCOM Viewer):BegatAll offers a free version that allows you to read GEDCOM files and generate reports, trees, and map views. It’s useful for exploring GEDCOM data without a full genealogy program.
• Family TreeXcel (GEDCOM to Excel Converter): If you prefer spreadsheets, Family TreeXcel converts GEDCOM data into Excel spreadsheets. This helps analyze genealogical data in a familiar environment.

These specialized tools extend GEDCOM files’ utility and provide alternative ways to work with family tree data.

Printing DNA Results: A Genetic Snapshot on Paper?

The text does not cover printing DNA results from AncestryDNA. However, the process is similar to printing records or tree sections. AncestryDNA results are displayed online with various reports. You may want a hard copy of your DNA results. You can likely use browser printing functionalities.

AncestryDNA result pages probably have print options through your browser’s menu (File > Print or right-click > Print). You might print:

• Sections of your DNA results: You could print the visible part of your DNA results page.
• Specific reports or views: They may offer specific reports within your results that are printable. Look for print icons on relevant pages.
• Zoomed views or whole-page printing: Browser zoom controls help you manage how much of your DNA results page prints.

Try your browser’s print options when viewing your AncestryDNA results pages to find printable outputs available. You could capture key aspects of your genetics on paper.

Additional Considerations: Membership, Limits, and Troubleshooting

Before we finish our printing expedition, let’s cover additional considerations regarding your Ancestry account and family trees.

Ancestry Membership: Trees in Limbo (Not Deleted)

If you want a break from Ancestry, canceling your membership does not delete your family trees, DNA results, or account. You switch to “free registered guest” status with limited access. Your trees remain intact, waiting for your return via GEDCOM export. It’s like pausing your genealogical research, not erasing it.

Tree Limits: Build as You Please

You do not need to worry about digital forest rangers imposing tree limits! There is no limit to the number of family trees on Ancestry. Create and explore as many trees as your ancestral muse inspires!

Privacy: Tree Duplication and Selective Deletion

When duplicating trees with GEDCOM, you create an independent copy. This is useful for privacy. After creating a duplicate, you can delete individuals you do not want in the new tree. This helps create a more focused version of your family history for sharing or projects. It’s like pruning branches for different audiences.

Troubleshooting: Missing Trees and Account Confusion

If your tree is missing from the “Trees” tab, the most common issue is an account mix-up. If you reach the “Trees” tab and do not see your tree, double-check you are signed into the correct Ancestry account. You may have multiple accounts, often true for passionate genealogists, so logging into the correct account should bring back your tree.

Family Tree Books: From Digital to Tangible

To preserve and share your family history, consider making a printed family tree book. Ancestry has partnered with MyCanvas to assist in this process. MyCanvas integration lets you transform Ancestry family tree data into nicely designed printed history books. This is a full upgrade from printing sections—a complete, bound heirloom transforming digital data into the tangible world.