How to Upload GEDCOM to Ancestry and Transfer Family Tree Maker 2019 to Another Computer

Author : Family Tree Maker | Published On : 08 Jul 2026

Building a family tree takes patience, dedication, and years of research. Every birth record, marriage certificate, census document, and family story contributes to a larger picture of your ancestry. Protecting this information is just as important as discovering it. Whether you want to upload GEDCOM to Ancestry to continue your research online or transfer family tree maker 2019 to another computer, using the correct method ensures your data remains safe and complete.

At Family Tree Maker Helps, we understand how valuable your genealogy research is. This guide explains everything you need to know about transferring your family tree, uploading a GEDCOM file, avoiding common mistakes, and keeping your family history secure for years to come.

What Is a GEDCOM File?

A GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) file is the standard file format used for exchanging genealogy information between different family tree software programs. Instead of manually recreating years of research, you can export your existing family tree into a GEDCOM file and import it into another compatible genealogy platform.

Millions of genealogists rely on GEDCOM files because they provide a convenient and reliable way to move family history without losing essential information.

A properly created GEDCOM file can store years of carefully collected family records, making it one of the most important backup tools available for genealogy enthusiasts.

What Information Does a GEDCOM File Store?

A GEDCOM file usually contains the core details of your genealogy research, including:

Family member names
Birth, marriage, and death records
Parent and child relationships
Locations and historical events
Notes and source citations
Family connections across multiple generations

Although GEDCOM files preserve most genealogical information, photographs and attached documents may need to be backed up separately depending on the software you use.

Why Should You Upload GEDCOM to Ancestry?

Many researchers begin their genealogy journey using desktop software before deciding to upload GEDCOM to Ancestry. Uploading your existing family tree allows you to continue researching online while keeping years of work intact.

Having your family tree available online also makes it easier to collaborate with relatives who may have additional information or historical documents to contribute.

Another advantage is the ability to receive historical record suggestions that may help expand your family tree. These discoveries often lead researchers to new ancestors, forgotten relatives, and valuable historical records.

Benefits of Uploading GEDCOM to Ancestry

Choosing to upload GEDCOM to Ancestry offers several important advantages:

Access your family tree from almost any device.
Receive record hints that may expand your genealogy research.
Share your family tree with relatives.
Create an additional backup of your genealogy data.
Continue researching without starting over.

These benefits make uploading your family tree a practical step for both beginner and experienced genealogists.

How to Upload GEDCOM to Ancestry

The upload process is straightforward when your genealogy data is organized correctly.

First, review your family tree before exporting the GEDCOM file. Check that names, relationships, dates, and locations are accurate. Removing duplicate individuals before the upload can help create a cleaner family tree.

Next, sign in to your Ancestry account and locate the option for importing an existing family tree. Select your saved GEDCOM file from your computer and begin the upload process.

Depending on the size of your genealogy database, the upload may take several minutes. After the process finishes, carefully review every section of your imported family tree to ensure that relationships and records appear correctly.

Taking a few extra minutes to verify your data can prevent future research problems.

How to Transfer Family Tree Maker 2019 to Another Computer

Upgrading to a new computer does not mean losing years of genealogy work. With proper preparation, you can successfully transfer family tree maker 2019 to another computer without losing valuable family records.

The most reliable method is to create a complete backup using Family Tree Maker before installing the software on your new computer. Once the program has been installed, restore the backup instead of copying folders manually.

This approach preserves family relationships, reports, media links, notes, and other important genealogy information.

After restoring your backup, browse through different branches of your family tree to ensure every person, photograph, and source transferred successfully.

Best Practices Before Transferring Family Tree Maker 2019 to Another Computer

Before moving family tree maker 2019 to another computer, follow these important recommendations:

Create a complete backup of your family tree.
Include all media files in the backup.
Save an additional copy on an external drive.
Verify the software version before restoring.
Review your restored family tree after the transfer.

These simple precautions significantly reduce the risk of accidental data loss.

Can One Name Lead You to Your Family History?

Many genealogy journeys begin with only a single family name. Although it may seem like a small clue, one name can uncover generations of historical information when combined with census records, birth certificates, immigration documents, military records, and newspaper archives.

Can One Name Lead You to Your Family History? In many cases, the answer is yes. A surname or even a first name connected to the right location and time period can reveal parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended relatives who were previously unknown. Each new discovery creates another branch in your family tree and opens the door to additional historical records.

Successful genealogy research is often built one record at a time. What starts as a single name may eventually become a detailed family history spanning several centuries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many genealogy users accidentally create problems during transfers because they skip the backup process or fail to verify their files afterward.

Another common mistake is assuming that every photograph and document is included in the GEDCOM file. While the genealogy information usually transfers successfully, attached media often requires separate backup procedures.

Taking the time to organize your files before beginning any transfer can save hours of troubleshooting later.

Why Choose Family Tree Maker Helps?

Managing genealogy software can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when transferring years of valuable family history. Family Tree Maker Helps provides reliable guidance to help users safely back up, restore, and organize their genealogy projects.

Whether you need assistance with software installation, file transfers, backups, GEDCOM exports, or troubleshooting, having accurate information makes the entire process much easier. Following proven methods helps ensure that your family's history remains protected for future generations.

Conclusion

Family history is much more than names and dates. It represents the stories, traditions, and experiences that connect generations of families. Protecting that information should always be a priority.

Creating regular backups, organizing your genealogy files, and knowing how to upload GEDCOM to Ancestry or transfer family tree maker 2019 to another computer gives you confidence that years of research will remain safe.

With proper planning and reliable guidance from Family Tree Maker Helps, you can continue expanding your family tree while preserving your genealogy research for future generations.