PROS: This is definitely a more secure and private option, assuming that you safeguard and regularly back up your computer data.Īlso, using family history software gives you greater flexibility to research across several genealogy websites.

You can also choose a family history software program that lives on your own computer. You don’t want scattered tree branches! You want them all together in one tree that is attached to your DNA test results, so you can more easily identify your cousins from all different parts of your lineage.

Then you may one day realize that different branches of your tree are spread across different websites (and thus different tree-building platforms). You may want to post copies of your tree on other websites to make your research there more efficient. If you start researching on multiple genealogy websites (as many people do), it gets trickier to keep everything you learn together.

Of course, you can minimize risk by periodically downloading a backup copy of your tree and by not including sensitive information about living or recently living people in your tree. Data breaches and loss do occasionally happen. And as your tree continues to grow, changes you make will automatically reflect in your DNA matching experience.ĬONS: If you keep your family tree on a genealogy website, it’s potentially less secure and private. If you build your tree on Ancestry or MyHeritage AND you take a DNA test there, you can easily link your tree to your DNA test. The automated hinting tools alert you to records that may be about your family. You can easily copy data and images from old records right into your tree. PROS: When you research your family tree on one of the big genealoy websites (, , or ), it’s super convenient to build your family tree there, too. When it comes to building a family tree, you have two different options, and here are their general pros and cons: 1) Use tree-building tools on one of the big genealogy websites Building and Syncing an Online Family Tree A DNA-friendly tree is better at helping you identify where your autosomal DNA matches fit on your tree.Ī question was asked about the best place to build a family tree-and which software allows syncing to Ancestry and/or FamilySearch. In a recent session of Diahan Southard’s DNA Skills Workshop, students learned strategies for building a DNA-friendly family tree. Family history software that syncs with online trees-especially those linked to your DNA test results-can keep your genealogy research organized and, well, in synch.

The best free family tree software