When you visit websites like Ancestry®, your browser stores information in its cache and cookies to make future visits faster and easier. However, if these aren’t regularly cleared, your browser might load outdated pages and encounter errors. Clearing your cache and cookies can fix these problems, helping Ancestry pages load and display correctly.

If you experience slow loading, errors, or trouble signing in (or staying signed in), try using an incognito/private window, which doesn’t use saved cache and cookies:

• Chrome: In the top-right corner, click the three vertical dots > New Incognito Window
• Safari & Firefox: In the top-right corner, click the three lines > New Private Window

If the problem is resolved in incognito/private mode, clear the cookies from Ancestry or all cache and cookies.

Clear cookies from Ancestry®

Clearing cookies from Ancestry will sign you out of Ancestry.

For help clearing cookies from Ancestry®, select your browser:

Google Chrome

1. In Chrome’s top-right corner, click the three vertical dots and select  Settings.
2. Go to Privacy and security and choose Third-party cookies.
3. Click See all site data and permissions.
4. In the top-right search field, search for “Ancestry”.
5. To the right of Ancestry, click the trash can .
6. To confirm, click Delete.

Mozilla Firefox 

1. Open Firefox and go to Ancestry.
2. While on Ancestry, click the padlock to the left of the address bar.
3. Select Clear cookies and site data and then click Remove.

Apple Safari

1. Open Safari, then choose Safari > Settings.
2. Select Privacy and click Manage Website Data.
3. In the top-right search field, search for “Ancestry”.
4. Select Ancestry and click Remove.
5. Click Done.

Clear all cache and cookies

Clearing all cache and cookies may sign you out of any sites that remember you, and your saved preferences for those sites could be deleted.

For help clearing all cache and cookies, select your browser:

Google Chrome

1. In Chrome’s top-right corner, click the three vertical dots and select Delete browsing data.
2. Set the Time range to All time.
3. Check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
4. Click Delete data.

Mozilla Firefox 

1. In Firefox’s top-right corner, click the three lines and select Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security.
3. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Data.
4. Set When: to Everything.
5. Check Cookies and site data and Temporary cached files and pages.
6. Click Clear.

Apple Safari

1. Open Safari, then choose Safari > Settings.
2. Select Privacy and click Manage Website Data.
3. Click Remove all, then Remove Now.
4. Click Done.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if my browser isn’t listed? 
Only Ancestry recommended browsers are listed. If you’re using a different browser, switch to one of our recommended browsers for the best experience on Ancestry.

Does clearing my browser history clear my cache and cookies? 
No. Clearing your browser's history does not automatically clear your cache and cookies. Use the instructions above to clear your cache and cookies.

I still have problems in a private/incognito window; is Ancestry down? 
You can check the status of Ancestry® and its services at any time. For help, read Is Ancestry® Down?