If you’re looking to delete a family tree on Ancestry, the process is straightforward but worth some careful consideration since deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. People often create family trees to trace their lineage, explore historical connections, or collaborate with relatives. However, there can be several reasons for wanting to delete a tree, such as incorrect data, starting fresh with new research, or privacy concerns. Here’s a guide on how to delete a family tree on Ancestry and some things to keep in mind before you proceed.
First, make sure you’re logged into your Ancestry account. From the homepage, locate the “Trees” tab at the top of the page. This will show a dropdown list of all the family trees you’ve created or have access to. Choose the specific tree you want to delete. Once you’re in the selected tree, navigate to the top left corner of the screen where the tree name is displayed. Click on the tree name, and a dropdown menu will appear. In this menu, you’ll find an option labeled “Tree Settings.”
After clicking on “Tree Settings,” you’ll be directed to a new page where all the management options for your family tree are housed. Scroll down to the bottom of this page, and you’ll see the “Delete Your Tree” option. When you click this button, Ancestry will prompt you with a warning that this action is irreversible. You’ll be asked to confirm whether you truly want to delete the family tree. It’s crucial to ensure that you have saved any important information elsewhere before taking this step, as all associated data, including names, records, and media, will be permanently lost. Once you confirm, the family tree will be deleted from your account and Ancestry’s platform entirely.
One important note on how to delete a family tree on Ancestry is that this action only affects your own access to the tree if you’re the owner. If you’ve shared your tree with others, they will also lose access once it’s deleted. However, if you are not the owner but just have access to a tree that was shared with you, you won’t be able to delete the tree; only the owner has that authority. In such cases, you can remove your access, but the tree will remain available to others who have permission to view it.
Lastly, consider why you’re deleting the tree. If you’re concerned about privacy, Ancestry allows you to make trees private instead of public, which may be a good option if you don’t want others to view your research but don’t want to lose all your work. Deleting a family tree is a final decision that cannot be undone, so make sure you’re certain before proceeding. By following these steps on how to delete a family tree on Ancestry, you can ensure that the process is completed smoothly and efficiently.