09 May 2025
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Here we’re going to look at some of the key dos and don’ts when it comes to creating your online family tree. With the right approach and avoiding pitfalls, your can ensure that your family tree has strong roots in solid research.
When first starting your online tree, follow the advice that is covered in our 'How to create a family tree' guide. This means starting with yourself, and working backwards in time, gradually adding details to your tree, as and when you have found clues and evidence. We advise you do this, so that you can be sure that the details you’re adding really are those of your ancestor (not just someone with the same name etc).
Best practices for creating your family tree
Use the quick links below to jump to the relevant section
Here's what you should (and should not) do when creating your family tree online…
Create your family tree slowly
It can be really tempting to use the auto-prompts (aka the ‘hints’), which may be provided with the website you use, to grow your tree rapidly. However, you will thank yourself and avoid a muddle if – rather than accepting every hint – you progress carefully, ensuring that each piece of information is correct before adding another detail to your tree.
Do your own research
It can also be tempting to copy information from other people’s online trees – especially if it seems that there are numerous people all with that same information on their tree.
While of course it can be interesting to look at other people’s family trees, we advise conducting your own research for several reasons, so that:
- You can ensure it is correct
- You have proof of which source provided you with the clue
- You grow your own family history knowledge and search skills, by doing it yourself
You can always reach out to other people, with whom it seems you share ancestors, and ask whether they are happy to share research insights with you. Two heads may be better than one, and together you can solve problems on your family trees. Plus you have the enjoyment of a new friend and/or relation.
Always consider your sources
Sources are the proof of your research, providing evidence of your research steps and deductions.
When you are searching for your ancestor online you may see that the search results return a mixture of items:
- Some will be original records for you to follow up (such as census entries)
- Others will be entries in other people’s family trees
Both items are valuable and interesting to look at, but if you skip the original records and solely rely on other people’s trees you not only risk unwittingly including errors in your own tree, you also miss the pleasure and satisfaction of studying the original documents yourself.
By studying the originals you may spot additional clues of interest that the other people haven’t noted in their research.
A witness’s name on a marriage certificate, for example, or one of the neighbour’s names on a census page may be that of someone you know to be another relation. It really is worth studying the original records yourself and making that connection.
Keep good family history notes
You will hopefully make many discoveries as you search for and build your tree online. Keeping great notes and adding them to your tree is the most time-efficient, effective and thorough way to work.
How can you keep great notes?
- Save a copy of the digitised document that has provided you with the information. You can save it to your online tree and/or to a folder on your computer.
- Make a note to yourself of where you found the information. This will enable you, and anyone with whom you share your research, to track down the record again.
- Write down why you think your finding is correct. These notes really are worth the effort!
Should you choose a public or private tree?
We would always advise that it is good etiquette not to publish the details of living people in your online family tree without their permission. Most websites will privatise these details automatically if someone is marked as 'living'.
Sharing your tree publicly allows others to see your research, collaborate, find distant kin, or share photos. But if you want to protect your research, consider publishing only part of it online or using privacy settings available on your platform.
Do add media and memories to your tree
Photos, documents, and even audio/video files enhance your tree and bring your ancestors’ stories to life. Some platforms call these 'memories' (like FamilySearch).
If your tree is public, expect others to access and potentially copy your media. If reusing others’ photos in external projects (e.g., books or blogs), ask for permission and provide credit where due. Think copyright and courtesy.
Do create a back-up copy of your family tree
Even if your research is online, we recommend downloading regular backups to your computer. Some websites like MyHeritage send these monthly, but you can set reminders for manual downloads too.
Do be 'GEDCOM savvy'
GEDCOM is a universal file format for genealogy data. It allows you to export and move trees between software and websites. Learn how to export/import GEDCOM files depending on your provider – it will save you time and make printing family tree charts much easier.
Link your tree to your DNA
If your DNA testing site allows, link your family tree to your DNA profile. This helps matches understand your connections and can speed up collaboration and discoveries.
For more DNA guidance, check out our comprehensive 'DNA Discoveries' guide.
Create more than one family tree
There are many reasons to create more than one online family tree:
- ‘Quick trees’ for DNA matches
- A surprise tree gift for a relative
- A tree for someone you’re researching (house history, biography, etc.)
Many platforms allow this—just be sure to stay organised as your research grows.
If you’re brand new to family history, start with our beginner’s guide to building your tree.
And don't forget to sign up to the Family Tree newsletter for more guides.