Trace Your Family Tree

Transferring your tree

I've already started my tree somewhere else; can I transfer my tree to continue building it in Ancestry.co.uk?

The answer's yes. If you've already started your research and have your family tree stored on another family website or in family history software package, you can easily export your family tree, saving the need to re-enter a lot of the information you've already gathered.

Why should I transfer my tree over to Ancestry.co.uk?

There are literally millions of potential reasons why, transferring your tree across to Ancestry.co.uk will be one of the best steps you'll likely to ever take when researching your family's history. Firstly you'll be using the UK's leading online family tree building and records service. We have over 820 million records for you to search freely online to help both build and further your understanding of known ancestors within your family tree. With millions of records available to you, we've had to ensure that your search is made as easy as possible. We do this by providing you with a range of search tools for both beginners to advanced researchers to enable you to locate those records that matter to you.

You'll also have the opportunity to connect with millions of other people developing their family trees both home and abroad and will be sure to find links to those with common ancestors who will be only too willing to help you in your family history research. Once you've built your family tree you'll be able to publish it as a book through My Canvas.

How do I do this?

In order to transfer your tree, all you'll need to do is follow this simple 2 step process:

• Step 1: Export your Tree

  You'll first need to select the ‘export your tree' option from your software package or online tree provider. This should be easy to locate as people export their trees frequently to enable them to continue their research. Your tree will still remain on that website or in the software package too so you'll always be able to go back and refer to it at a later date, if need be. You'll need to export your tree as a GEDCOM file. GEDCOM (meaning GEnealogical Data COMmunication) is the standard format for importing and exporting family trees from one place to another, whether from one website to another, a software package to a website or vice-versa.

• Step 2: Import your Tree

  To import your tree, simply click on the Family Tree tab in the navigation bar towards the top of the homepage. Then, select the "Upload an existing family tree option" radio button to begin your import. You'll be provided with easy to follow instructions in order to allow you to import your tree and continue your family history research.

What next?

What you do next after you've imported your tree into Ancestry.co.uk is entirely up to you. We'd recommend you take a look round, so you can take full advantage of all the services and features we offer. For example, in our Learning Centre, you'll find information and links to a whole host of interesting research tools and articles to assist you in your family history research as well as your tree building exploits. Why not take a look here now?