How to Export a GEDCOM File from Ancestry

Ancestry.com makes it straightforward to download your family tree as a GEDCOM file. Once exported, you can upload it to TreeAlive to see your ancestors' migrations come alive on an animated map. The whole process takes about five minutes.

Step-by-step instructions

Go to ancestry.com and sign in with your account credentials.

Open your family tree

Click "Trees" in the top navigation bar, then select the family tree you want to export.

Open Tree Settings

Click the gear icon (⚙) in the upper-right corner of the tree page. You can also find this under Tree Pages → Tree Settings.

Find the Export option

Scroll down to the "Manage your tree" section on the settings page.

Click Export Tree

Click the "Export tree" button. Ancestry will begin preparing your GEDCOM file — this may take a moment for larger trees.

Download your file

When the file is ready, click "Download your GEDCOM file." Save the .ged file somewhere easy to find, like your Desktop or Downloads folder.

Tip

Ancestry trees with thousands of people may take a few minutes to prepare. You'll see a progress indicator while it works. The exported file includes all individuals, dates, places, and relationships.

See what you'll create

🎬 Watch a sample video Watch an ancestry journey unfold across the map over hundreds of years. Watch video →

🗺️ Explore the Time Machine Click any ancestor to see their world on a real historical map from their era. Explore example →

Ready to see your ancestors' journey?

Upload your GEDCOM file and watch their migrations come alive on the map.

Upload Your GEDCOM Free · No account needed · Nothing stored