Ancestry ancestry.co.uk How to delete a family tree on Ancestry
On the website, open the Trees tab, pick the tree, then More, Tree Settings, and use the Delete your tree link. In the app, go to your profile icon, Manage tree, select the tree and choose Delete Tree. Deletion is permanent.
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- ancestry.co.uk
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- Delete an account
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Step by step
- 1
Download a copy first
Ancestry recommends saving your tree to your computer as a GEDCOM file before you delete it. Deleted trees can't be recovered.
- 2
Open the Trees tab and pick your tree
Sign in on the website and open the Trees tab. Select the tree you created.
- 3
Open Tree Settings
Choose the three-dot More menu in the left toolbar, then Tree Settings.
- 4
Select Delete your tree
The Delete your tree link sits in the bottom-right corner, and Delete confirms it.
- 5
Check what is deleted with it
Ancestry says deleting a tree also permanently deletes any connected networks.
Watch out for
- A tree you created or uploaded is permanently deleted from Ancestry and can't be recovered.
- Facts or media that were on the site before you attached them may stay. So may anything that came from a tree that was ever public.
- The tree name can keep showing in search results until the next indexing.
- Removing a tree that someone shared with you only drops it from your list. It doesn't delete the owner's tree.
- Deleting one tree leaves your account and other trees in place. Deleting the account is a separate action.
Other ways to do it
- 1
Delete a tree in the Ancestry app
Tap your profile icon, go to Manage tree and select the tree. Then choose Delete Tree and confirm. Ancestry warns this is permanent.
What stays out there
Deleting a tree removes it from Ancestry. It doesn't undo anything that was public while the tree was live. A public tree can list names and birth dates, and sometimes living relatives. People-search sites and old search results can hold copies. Serus finds where your details are listed and removes them.
Frequently asked
Can I get a deleted Ancestry tree back?
No. Ancestry says a deleted tree can't be recovered, so download a GEDCOM copy first if you may want it.
Does deleting a tree delete my Ancestry account?
No. Your account and any other trees stay. Ancestry treats deleting the account as a separate action.
Why does my tree name still show in search?
Ancestry says the tree name may still appear in search results until the next indexing.
What if the tree was shared with me?
Removing a shared tree only removes it from your list. The owner's tree is not deleted.
Sources
Related guide Guide: How to Delete Yourself from the Internet Something changed? If these steps no longer match what you see, tell us and we'll re-check it.
