To search your family tree on MyHeritage, go to the Family Tree tab, select a person, and use the Search Records button to find historical documents and family trees that match your ancestors. This article explains how the search works, how to get better results, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What MyHeritage Search Actually Covers
MyHeritage is a genealogy platform with billions of historical records, including census records, birth, marriage, and death indexes, immigration and travel documents, military records, and newspaper archives. It also hosts over 100 million family trees submitted by users worldwide. When you search, the engine looks across these collections and ranks matches based on name similarity, dates, places, and family relationships you have already entered.
The search is not limited to your own tree. By default, MyHeritage searches all public records and other users’ trees, which is how you can discover distant relatives or documents you did not know existed. However, the quality of results depends heavily on how complete and accurate your own tree is before you search.
How to Run a Search from Your Tree
Start by building a basic tree with at least three generations: yourself, your parents, and your grandparents. Then follow these steps:
- Open the Family Tree tab and click on a person you want to research.
- Click the Search Records button in that person’s profile page.
- Review the automatically filled fields: name, birth year, birth place, death year, and death place. Correct any errors before searching.
- Click Search. The results page shows matches from records and other trees.
- For each result, click Review Match to see why it was suggested and to attach it to your tree if it is correct.
You can also use the global Search tab at the top of the site, which lets you type a name and add filters like event type, location, and year range without starting from a tree person.
Tips for Better Search Results
Most failed searches come from too many or too few filters. Here are practical adjustments that improve results:
- Use a broad year range (e.g., 1850–1900) instead of an exact year, because records often contain errors.
- Try alternate spellings of surnames. For example, search “Schmidt” and “Smith” separately if you have German ancestors.
- Leave the place field empty if you are unsure of the exact town; select only the country or state.
- Search for women by their maiden name and also by their married name.
- Use the “Soundex” or “phonetic” match option if the site offers it, to catch names that sound alike but are spelled differently.
If you get too many results, add a spouse’s name or a child’s name as a filter. If you get too few, remove the death date or broaden the location to a neighboring county.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
One common issue is attaching the wrong person to your tree because two people share the same name and birth year. Always verify a record by checking parents’ names, spouse’s name, and residence address. If a census record lists a family that matches your tree exactly, it is likely correct, but if only the name matches, do not attach it.
Another problem is that MyHeritage sometimes suggests “Smart Matches” from other users’ trees that are incorrect. These are automated comparisons, not verified facts. Before accepting a Smart Match, compare the birth dates, places, and family members in both trees. If they differ, reject the match and note why.
Also, many users forget that records are not always indexed perfectly. A handwritten census page might be transcribed as “Jno” instead of “John,” or “Wm” for William. If you cannot find a person, try searching by initials or by the first name only.
Costs and Free vs. Paid Features
MyHeritage offers a free basic account that lets you build a tree of up to 250 people and search some record collections. However, viewing full record images and using advanced features like Record Matches, Instant Discoveries, and DNA tools require a paid subscription. Prices vary by plan and length, and the site frequently offers discounts, so check the current pricing page.
If you only want to search for a few ancestors, you can use the free trial period (usually 14 days) to access everything, but remember to cancel before it ends if you do not want to pay. For ongoing research, a subscription may be worth it, but many records are also available free on FamilySearch.org, so compare before paying.
DNA Testing and Family Tree Integration
MyHeritage also sells DNA kits that analyze your ethnicity and match you with genetic relatives. If you take a DNA test, your results are automatically compared to other MyHeritage users, and the site suggests possible family relationships. You can link your DNA results to your family tree, which helps you identify which matches descend from which ancestor.
DNA matches are not the same as record matches. A DNA match shows that you share a common ancestor, but it does not tell you who that ancestor is. You must use the shared matches and your tree to figure out the connection. This is especially useful for breaking through brick walls where paper records are missing.
Privacy and Safety Considerations
By default, your family tree on MyHeritage is private, meaning only you can see it. However, you can choose to make it public so that other users can find you and share information. If you make it public, living people are hidden from other users, but deceased relatives’ names and dates are visible. Be cautious about adding sensitive information about living relatives without their consent.
When you accept a Smart Match or attach a record, you are not sharing your tree with the other user; you are only copying information into your own tree. But if you message another user, your name and email address are revealed. Do not share passwords or personal details beyond what is necessary for genealogy.
Alternatives to MyHeritage Search
If MyHeritage does not have the records you need, try these other free or paid genealogy sites:
- FamilySearch.org – free, run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with billions of records and a large user-contributed tree.
- Ancestry.com – paid subscription, with a massive record collection and DNA service.
- Findmypast.com – strong for British and Irish records, paid subscription.
- National Archives websites – free for many government records like censuses and military files.
Each site indexes different sources, so a record that is missing on MyHeritage may be on FamilySearch or Ancestry. It is common to use multiple sites for the same ancestor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search my family tree on MyHeritage? Go to the Family Tree tab, click on a person, then click Search Records. The site will automatically fill in the person’s details and search across its record collections and other users’ trees.
Is MyHeritage search free? Basic tree building and some record searches are free, but viewing full record images and using advanced matching features require a paid subscription. A free trial gives temporary access to everything.
Why can’t I find my ancestor on MyHeritage? The record may not be digitized, or the name may be misspelled in the index. Try alternate spellings, broaden the year range, or search on other sites like FamilySearch.
How do I know if a record match is correct? Compare all available details: parents’ names, spouse, children, residence, and occupation. If multiple records agree, it is likely correct. If only the name matches, do not attach it.
Can I search other people’s family trees? Yes, MyHeritage includes user-submitted trees in its search results. You can view them and contact the tree owner, but you should verify the information before adding it to your own tree.
Does MyHeritage have DNA search? Yes, if you take a MyHeritage DNA test, you can search your DNA matches and link them to your family tree. DNA matching is separate from record searching.
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