.png)
You need to build a family tree to take full advantage of using the MyHeritage genealogy website for your family history research. Learn the three best ways to make your tree over on MyHeritage.
Why Build a Family Tree on MyHeritage
When you're climbing your family tree, you need to put information in an organized way. When you do this on MyHeritage, you kick in a research assistant who can help you climb your family tree while not doing genealogy, which is always a bonus.
You need to set up an account to build a family tree on MyHeritage.
New Genealogists Should Manually Build a Family Tree on MyHeritage
If you're new to genealogy, build your tree manually on MyHeritage.
MyHeritage will request you add your parents' names during the account registration process.
MyHeritage will walk you through adding additional grandparents to the family tree. Pay attention to the relationship names so you don't confuse your Mother's Mother with your Mother's Father or your Father's Mother.
After you have named your grandparents and included as much information as possible, you will receive a thank-you message saying, "Welcome; you have ___ many people in your tree."
Now, you have a little family branch rather than a tree.
Watch how to build a family tree on MyHeritage.
How to Add Another Relative to Your MyHeritage Family Tree
To continue adding people to your tree, click any "Add [Relative]" box to add a new relative.
In this video, I added a father to Emma Virginia Townsend by clicking "Add Father."
MyHeritage provides a profile pop-up form where you can add what you know about the relative. Fill in as much as you are able.
Please take advantage of a cool feature I've only seen on MyHeritage. Next to the date field, there is a drop-down menu with several options, including the following:
Exact
Before
Circa (meaning about)
Between
While entering place names, MyHeritage does not provide location standardization prompts. Instead, it offers a drop-down list of locations you have previously used.
To differentiate between a place name representing a city or a county, add the word ""County"" behind the location. For instance, I use Franklin County, Ohio, rather than Franklin, Ohio, to remind myself that I meant the county.
After completing the form, click "Okay."
Then, continue adding other relatives.
Experienced Genealogists Can Upload a GEDCOM file to MyHeritage
If you have built your family tree elsewhere, you build your family tree on MyHeritage by uploading a GEDCOM file. If necessary, you can create a GEDCOM file.
Click on FAMILY TREE in the website menu.
Click IMPORT GEDCOM
Browse your computer for the file.
Click upload.
You'll get this message that says, "it's being processed."
Once it's complete, you can begin working with your tree by:
Click on FAMILY TREE in the website menu.
Click MANAGE TREES.
Click VIEW beside the tree you uploaded.
↪️ Are you looking for more genealogy resources?
Grab your copy of these FREE Genealogy Research Guides.
Continue Building Your MyHeritage Family Tree Based on Records
No matter where you build your family tree, expand it based on records.
On MyHeritage, you can find Record Hints from an ancestor's profile page or from the prompt on the profile accessed from the Fan Chart View.
Not all record hints are created equal.
Some of the MyHeritage Records Hints are other family trees, such as the FamilySearch and Geni world trees. These trees have varying degrees of accuracy, so consult original documents like census records, newspapers, city directories, and more first.
Add New People To Your Tree From Records
After indicating a Record Match is relevant to your ancestor, you can click on "Extract information from [record]."
During this process, you can move new information from the record to your family tree, including adding new persons.
Building a FamilyTree on MyHeritage is Just the Beginning
After creating your initial tree on MyHeritage, you can review more record hints and search their collections for more discoveries. As you find new facts and people, you can add them to your family tree without leaving the MyHeritage website.
MyHeritage does offer free software to build your family tree. The corporate website has more information about the FamilyTree Builder program.
More About MyHeritage Website and Resources: