Family trees often contain insights that others have already discovered. Tree Compare lets you view your family tree side by side with other public member trees that include the same ancestor. This makes it easier to spot differences, confirm details, and discover relatives or records you may not have yet.
Comparing trees can help you:
- Discover relatives who may be missing from your tree
- Find records, photos, and sources saved by other members
- Confirm names, dates, places, and family relationships
- Spot differences or possible mistakes in either tree
- Fill in gaps in your research
Tree Compare doesn’t automatically change your tree. You review the information and choose what to add.
Using Tree Compare
Tree Compare is available with an All Access membership.
It appears when a person in your tree is also found in other public Ancestry member trees.
You can compare your tree with up to 10 public member trees that include the same person.
Only one tree is compared at a time. The first tree shown is automatically selected based on how many people or sources it shares with your tree, but you can choose a different tree to compare.
To use Tree Compare:
- Go to your family tree and select a person you want to research.
- At the bottom of the person card, select Compare trees (if available).
- Your tree will appear next to another member’s tree.
- Review the information, sources, and relationships in the other tree.
- Add people or information to your tree if it matches your research.
While using Tree Compare
Some people may be labeled Similar or New. These labels help highlight possible discoveries while you compare trees.
- Similar
- Someone who may match a person already in your tree
- Review their details and sources to confirm whether they are the same person
- New
- Someone who is not currently in your tree
- Review their information and decide whether you want to add them
You can also open profiles in the other tree to review details such as:
- Facts and timeline events
- Sources and records
- Photos and other images
- Family relationships
Adding people or information to your tree
If you find information that fits your research, you can add it directly from the comparison view.
For example, you might add:
- A missing parent or child
- Records or sources
- Photos or other images
When you add a relative who connects to people already in your tree, you may see an option to update those relationships so your tree stays consistent. We recommend updating them when they match your research.
Choosing a different tree to compare
To compare your tree with a different tree:
- Select Pick a different tree.
- Review the list of trees that contain your ancestor.
- Select a different tree to compare.
Tips
- Review sources and records before adding information from another tree.
- Compare names, dates, and locations carefully to confirm a match.
- Use Tree Compare to identify research leads before adding information to your tree.
- Review more than one tree when possible to see patterns or differences.
Frequently asked questions
How many trees can I compare with mine?
You can compare your tree with up to 10 public Ancestry member trees that contain the same ancestor. Only one tree can be compared at a time.
Can I compare my tree with private trees?
No. Tree Compare only works with public trees.
Can I add people to my tree directly from Tree Compare?
Yes. If you find someone who fits your research, you can add them to your tree from the comparison view.
Should I verify information from other trees before adding it to my tree?
Yes. It’s best to review records, sources, and details before adding information to your tree. Other trees can provide helpful clues, but they may contain mistakes.
What if multiple trees show different information?
Compare the details, records, and sources to decide which information is most reliable. Looking at several trees can help you evaluate conflicting information.