Why It’s Important To Keep Your Family Tree Offline

When it comes to genealogy, having your research online is convenient. However, relying solely on having an online family tree can be risky. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s important to also keep a copy of your family tree offline.

Accurate genealogy research demands that we stay focused and organized. Whether you’re just starting out or you think you’re in need of a genealogy make-over, there are things you can do to be confident in what you have. If you need a reboot, read this blog post to get started.

I have a family tree online at Ancestry, but I also keep a copy offline. Let’s look at why it’s important to have both.

The 4 Big Genealogy Sites

The four major genealogy sites all have the ability to create a family tree:

1. Ancestry

Ancestry allows you to create both public and private family trees. Public trees can be viewed by others, while private trees are only visible to people you invite. Everyone who has an account with Ancestry has their own tree.

2. MyHeritage

MyHeritage offers both public and private family tree options. You can invite family members to view or edit your tree, and control the privacy settings. Everyone who has an account with MyHeritage has their own tree.

3. Findmypast

Findmypast trees can be both private and public. You can invite others to view or edit your tree. Everyone who has an account with Findmypast has their own tree.

4. FamilySearch

FamilySearch is different as it offers one kind of tree, one that is public and collaborative. There is only one universal tree, so others can see and contribute information, whether you want them to or not.

Reasons To Keep A Family Tree Offline

1. Protecting Against Data Loss

Even the most reliable online sites can have technical issues. Servers crash, websites shut down, and data can become corrupted. If you have only an online copy of your family tree, you risk losing years of research in an instant. An offline version makes sure that you have a backup, protecting your valuable information.

2. Preserving Your Research

Technology changes quickly. What is accessible today may not be tomorrow. Think about floppy disks and old software programs—many of which are now obsolete. By keeping an offline version of your family tree, your research is preserved in a way that can be passed down through generations.

3. Avoiding Cyber Threats

Online data is vulnerable to hacking and other cyber threats. Personal information, including names, dates of birth, and family connections, can be valuable to identity thieves. If you are worried about a cyber threat, keeping a family tree offline means worrying less about “sharing” sensitive information.

4. Gaining Access During Internet Outages

Internet outages can happen unexpectedly (and usually at the worst time). This leaves you without access to your online family tree. Natural disasters, technical issues, or even planned maintenance can disrupt your internet connection. Having an offline version means you can continue your research without the need for internet access.

5. Complementing Online Research

An offline family tree doesn’t have to replace your online research—it can complement it. Use online tools to discover new information, but document your findings offline. This way, you benefit from the best of both worlds.

6. Providing A Backup

Even if you consistently back up your data online, issues can still come up. Sometimes, updates or changes to an online site can cause data to be lost or become inaccessible. By keeping an offline version, your research remains safe regardless of any issues with your software.

7. Simplifying Sharing With Relatives

Not all family members are comfortable with technology. Some might find it hard to navigate online family trees. Having an offline version makes it easier to share your research with those who prefer “old-school” methods.

8. Preparing For The Future

I believe one of the biggest reasons to keep an offline family tree is to prepare for the future. If a company hosting your online tree were to sell or go out of business, there’s a risk you could lose everything you’ve saved including documents and your family tree. By keeping an offline version of your genealogy, you reduce the risk because you own and control it. This fact alone should give you peace of mind that your work is safe.

Now that we’ve covered why keeping an offline family tree is important, let’s discuss how to create one using software programs. Here are some practical steps to get you started, along with a list of companies that offer offline family tree software.

Popular Offline Family Tree Software

1. Family Tree Maker – One of the most popular genealogy programs, loved by beginners and advanced genealogists alike.
2. Legacy Family Tree – Offers wonderful tools and report capabilities. This is my choice for software.
3. RootsMagic – A popular choice by many levels of genealogists.
4. Ancestral Quest – An older software program that is still a highly regarded choice. It can be used on a PC or Mac.
5. Reunion (for Mac) – A family tree program for Mac users only.

Steps To Create Your Offline Family Tree

1. Choose Your Software

Decide which software is best for you. You should consider things like ease of use, learning curve, available features, and compatibility with your computer’s operating system.

2. Install the Software

Once you’ve chosen your software, install it on your computer. Follow the installation instructions provided by the software. Most programs offer a user-friendly guide to help you get started.

3. Import Your Data

If you have already started your family tree online, you can easily import your data into your offline software. Most genealogy software supports GEDCOM files, a standard file format for genealogical data. Export your data from your online database in GEDCOM format and import it into your offline software.

4. Organize Your Data

After importing your data, take some time to organize it. Most genealogy programs offer tools to help you structure your information in a way that works for you. You can add details such as birth, marriage, and death dates, upload photos, and include notes and sources.

5. Backup Your Data

Even though your primary goal is to create an offline version, it’s wise to create backups. Most offline genealogy software includes the ability to back up your data. Save copies of your family tree files on external hard drives or USB sticks.

6. Print Your Family Tree

One of the benefits of using offline genealogy software is the ability to print detailed family trees and reports. You can create printed charts, books, and reports that organize your data and make it easy to share.

7. Share With Family

Sharing your family tree with relatives is easy using offline software. Most programs allow you to create shareable files and printed reports. Show off what you’ve learned at a family reunion or create printed copies to give as gifts.

Finally

In today’s digital world, it’s important to have an offline copy of your family tree. This helps protect your research from data loss, preserves it for future generations, and gives you peace of mind that your work is safe. Don’t overlook this valuable step in building your family tree.

Genealogy tip: Using genealogy software should be included in your workflow process. It’s important to keep your offline family tree as up-to-date as possible.

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