A family tree service is an online platform that helps you build, store, and share your genealogical family tree, often with access to historical records and DNA matching. These services range from free tree-building tools like FamilySearch and WikiTree to subscription-based genealogy sites like Ancestry and MyHeritage.
What a Family Tree Service Actually Does
At its core, a family tree service provides a digital space to record your ancestors and relatives, connecting them in a visual tree. You enter names, dates, and places, and the software links parents to children, spouses, and siblings. Most services also offer:
- Record hints: Algorithms scan digitized records (censuses, birth certificates, marriage licenses) and suggest documents that may match people in your tree.
- Collaborative trees: Some platforms let multiple family members edit the same tree in real time, while others use a single shared tree model where everyone contributes to one global family.
- DNA integration: If you take an at-home DNA test through the same company, the service can link your genetic matches to your tree, helping you identify shared ancestors.
- Story and photo storage: Many services allow you to attach photos, documents, and written stories to individual ancestors, turning a bare chart into a family archive.
How the Big Services Differ
The major players in family tree services have different strengths and models. Ancestry.com is the largest, with over 30 billion searchable records and a massive user base, but its tree-building feature requires a paid subscription for most advanced tools. MyHeritage offers similar features with a strong international focus, particularly in Europe and Israel, and has a free basic tree with paid record access. FamilySearch is completely free, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and uses a single shared tree—meaning you don’t own your branch; you contribute to a global tree that anyone can edit. WikiTree also uses a single shared tree but is volunteer-run and emphasizes sourcing and collaboration. Findmypast specializes in British and Irish records, while Geneanet (now owned by Ancestry) is popular in continental Europe.
How to Choose a Service
Your choice depends on your research goals, budget, and geographic focus. Start by asking what records you need—if your family is from the UK, Findmypast may be better than Ancestry; if you have immigrant ancestors from Eastern Europe, MyHeritage has strong continental collections. Consider whether you want a private tree or are comfortable with a collaborative model. FamilySearch is excellent for beginners because it’s free and has a huge record collection, but the shared tree means you may find your ancestors already entered—sometimes with errors you’ll need to correct. If you plan to take a DNA test, choose a service that offers both, as Ancestry and MyHeritage do, because linking DNA matches to your tree is far easier when both are on the same platform.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent issue with family tree services is duplicate people. When multiple users enter the same ancestor with slightly different spellings or dates, the system can’t automatically merge them. On shared-tree platforms like FamilySearch, you’ll see a list of possible duplicates that you can merge manually—but be cautious: merging the wrong records can create a tangled mess. Another problem is unsourced information. Many trees contain errors copied from other trees, so always verify a fact against an actual record before accepting it. A third issue is privacy: on private-tree services, you control who sees living people, but on shared trees, living individuals are usually hidden from public view, yet deceased relatives are visible to all. Finally, be aware of the “shaky leaf” hint system—these are suggestions, not confirmations. A hint might point to a person with the same name but a different birth date, so always review the source before adding it.
Costs and Free Options
Pricing varies widely. Ancestry’s subscription tiers range from about $20 to $50 per month, depending on access to U.S., international, or all records. MyHeritage offers a free basic account with up to 250 names, but record access requires a subscription (often $15–$30 per month). FamilySearch and WikiTree are entirely free, funded by the church or donations, and they provide access to millions of records without charge. Findmypast has similar pricing to Ancestry, with a focus on British collections. If you’re just starting, try a free service first—you can always export your tree as a GEDCOM file (a standard genealogy format) and upload it to a paid service later. Many services offer free trial periods, but be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be charged.
Safety and Privacy Considerations
When using a family tree service, you’re sharing personal information about living relatives, so privacy matters. Most services let you mark living people as private, meaning they won’t appear in search results or be visible to other users. However, if you add a living relative without their consent, that person’s name, birth date, and location could be exposed to anyone viewing your tree. Before adding living people, ask their permission. Also, be cautious about sharing your tree publicly—some users make their trees public to attract cousins, but that also means anyone can copy your research. Use the service’s privacy settings to restrict viewing to people you invite. For DNA tests, understand that your genetic data is stored by the company and may be used for research or shared with law enforcement in certain cases, depending on the company’s policy (most require a warrant for law enforcement requests).
Alternatives to Online Services
If you prefer not to use a commercial service, there are other ways to build a family tree. Desktop software like Gramps (free) or Family Tree Maker (paid) lets you store your data locally on your computer, giving you full control and no subscription fees. You can also use a simple spreadsheet or even paper charts, though these lack the record-hint features. Another alternative is to work with a professional genealogist who can research your family and provide a written report, but this is expensive (often $50–$100 per hour). For collaboration without a platform, you can share a GEDCOM file via email or cloud storage, though you’ll lose the interactive tree view. Finally, many local libraries and historical societies offer free access to genealogy databases like Ancestry Library Edition, so you can search records without a home subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth paying for a family tree service?
It depends on your research stage. If you’re just starting and your family is from the U.S. or UK, a free service like FamilySearch may be enough to build a solid tree. Paid services become valuable when you hit a brick wall and need access to digitized records like census, immigration, or military documents. Many users start free, then subscribe for a month or two when they need record access.
Can I transfer my tree between services?
Yes, most services allow you to export your tree as a GEDCOM file, which you can then import into another service. However, not all data transfers perfectly—photos and source citations may be lost or reformatted. It’s best to export a GEDCOM before canceling a subscription, and always keep a backup on your computer.
How accurate are the record hints?
Record hints are automated suggestions, so they’re not always correct. A hint might match a name but have the wrong birth year or location. Always open the actual record and compare it with what you know about your ancestor. If it matches, attach it as a source; if not, ignore it. Over time, the algorithms improve, but they still require human judgment.
Are my family tree data safe from being sold?
Most major services do not sell your personal tree data, but they may use it to improve their services or share aggregated, anonymized data with partners. Read the privacy policy of each service carefully. DNA data is treated separately and often requires explicit consent for research use. If privacy is a top concern, choose a service with a strong privacy policy or use desktop software instead.
What is a GEDCOM file?
GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) is a standard file format for exchanging genealogical data. It contains names, dates, places, and family relationships in a plain-text format. Almost all family tree services can import and export GEDCOM files, making it the universal way to move your tree between platforms.
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