How to Import Genealogy to Family Tree Maker

Through the use of other Family Tree Maker files or GEDCOM files, you can quickly build your family tree based on the research of other people in your extended family. GEDCOM files are offered on many genealogy websites and are free to download and use for your own research. Family Tree Maker makes it a simple task to merge or append the GEDCOM or FTW (Family Tree Windows) files into your own database in the program.

Things You'll Need

• FTW or GEDCOM files

Instructions

1. Locate or download the FTW or GEDCOM file you wish to import into your copy of Family Tree Maker. Make a note of the location on your computer.

2. Open the Family Tree Maker program. Click on "File" from the text menu at the top of the screen.

3. Choose the option "Append or Merge" from the menu.

4. Select "Yes" when the program asks you if you wish to backup your existing data before the merge.

5. Navigate to the directory where you have the file stored that you wish to import. Choose the file type from the drop down box next to Files of Type option. Double click on the file when you locate the file you want.

6. Select the options on the next screen that you wish. You can choose to keep the first or last part of location names if the fields in the file are longer than allowed in Family Tree Maker. You can also choose which facts to import, such as birth, death, name and gender. Click "OK" when you are done choosing options.

7. Click "OK" from the bottom of the import screen. Family Tree Maker will automatically read the file.

8. Follow the onscreen instructions to place the new names into your family tree database.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all information found in FTW or GEDCOM files online has been verified. Although the files may give you new names in your family tree, you should research each name for accuracy.

• Ancestry.com and Rootsweb.com are two places where downloaded files are readily available for your use in researching your family tree.

• After the first two weeks, you will have to pay in order to continue to access files at Ancestry.com. Many of the same files are available free at Rootsweb.com.

References

• Family Tree Maker Online

Resources

• Ancestry.com
• Rootsweb