To copy a tree from one account to another, download it as a GEDCOM file from one account and upload it to another account. 

GEDCOM files are a text-only files that contain all of the facts and information for a tree; photos, media, and similar items are not included. However, GEDCOM files created on Ancestry after November 2022 do hold information about where your media files are saved on Ancestry. If you re-upload the GEDCOM file to Ancestry later, we'll relink the media files to your family tree (if they're still available).

If you have DNA results, move your family trees (and any membership) to the account with your DNA results. Your DNA results can't be moved. For help moving your membership, contact us.

If you don't have DNA results, but one of your accounts has a membership, move your trees to the account with the membership--this will allow you to find and add sources to your tree.

Any trees downloaded from one account and uploaded to another will remain on the original account (unless manually deleted).

 

Downloading a tree

If you're moving a tree from another one of your accounts, sign in to the account with the tree you want to move. If someone else is sending you the tree file from their account, skip to the uploading a tree section.
 

1. From any page on Ancestry, click the Trees tab and select a tree.
2. In the toolbar on the left, click More (three dots) and choose Tree Settings.
3. On the right side of the Tree Settings page, under Manage your tree, click Export tree. If you see Download your GEDCOM file, skip to step 5.
4. Click Export. The button will begin spinning and say Generating a GEDCOM file.
5. When it stops spinning, click Download Your GEDCOM File. The file will be saved to your device. To open the GEDCOM file, you'll need an app or program that reads GEDCOM files.

 

Uploading a tree

To upload the GEDCOM file of a tree to Ancestry, the file must be less than 500MB.

1. Sign in to the Ancestry account you want to upload the tree to.
2. Click the Trees tab and select Create & Manage Trees. 
3. Under your list of trees, click Upload a GEDCOM file.
4. Click Choose File or Browse.
5. Select the GEDCOM file you want to upload and click Open.
6. Enter a name for your tree.
7. By default, all trees are listed as public. In public family trees, all information is viewable and searchable except for information about living people. To make the tree private, uncheck Make my family tree public.
8. Enter a description (optional). If the tree is public, the description will be public.
9. Check the box accepting the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement and click Upload.
10. The new tree will now appear in your Trees tab.

 

Merging trees and copying people from trees

It's not currently possible to merge trees on Ancestry, but strategies in this article may help: Unable to Merge Family Trees.

For help copying people between trees, see Copying People from Trees.