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Writer's pictureDevon Noel Lee
3 min read

Utilizing FindMyPast Tree-to-Tree Hints for Genealogy Research


Findmypast tree to tree hints to build a family tree

Tree-to-tree hints on FindMyPast are a new tool to help you compare your tree with others. And although the ability to compare your trees with other researchers is not new in genealogy, Findmypast has a different take on things.


In this video, I walk you through all the steps to access the Tree-To-Tree hints and explain the current limitations of these research suggestions.



Accessing Tree-To-Tree Hints


After logging in, you can open FindMyPast and find these hints in a couple of ways.


The first way is that it might appear as a prompt on the home page.


Screenshot of FindMyPast home page with tree-to-tree hint.

The second way is to access it from your family tree.

  1. Click on FAMILY TREE from the top menu.

  2. Click on VIEW ALL TREES in the drop-down menu.

  3. Then, select a tree.

  4. From the family tree view, click on an individual with hints.


If the relative has a tree hint, you’ll find it with the tree icon, like the image below.


Sample tree-to-tree hint on FindMyPast

As you would expect in any tree-to-tree comparison option on online trees, the tree suggestion is on one side of the screen, and the information from your family tree is on the other side.


FindMyPast Tree-to-Tree Privacy Practices


The one thing that makes FindMyPast different is that it emphasizes privacy.


You must share your deceased ancestors with others to see tree-to-tree hints. You can allow this in the "Tree Settings" for each tree. (see image).

Screen shot of FindMyPast Tree Settings. Check mark beside "Share deceased ancestors."

Meanwhile, other FindMyPast subscribers must also allow the sharing of their deceased ancestors.


At the time of this filming, you can not see the sources and attached records for the member trees. You can also not view who created the recommended family tree as hints. (Read this post for more details about FindMyPast privacy and updates to Tree-To-Tree Hints.)


The current guidance from FindMyPast is to use the tree-to-tree hints as suggestions.


Video: Findmypast Tree-to-Tree Hints to Build a Family Tree

Accepting a FindMyPast Tree-to-Tree Hint


If the FindMyPast Tree tree-to-tree suggestions pan out, then accept it.

To do this, click the “Yes, Next Step” button.


Then, decide bit by bit which information you want to keep and which data to reject.


Avoid using the "Update All" option and review each information.


Screenshot of FindMyPast tree-to-tree hint acceptance screen.

You can:

  • Add new information

  • Add new people

  • Replace information

  • Edit information

  • Make information an alternative


When you have processed the tree-to-tree information, click the "Save changes to tree" button to complete the step.


After you make these changes, FindMyPast starts looking for new records that might be valuable to your research.


Give it a try. You might like it. Just be careful to consider FindMyPast tree-to-tree hints as clues.


Screen capture of FindMyPast Tree-to-Tree Hints with the title Building Your Tree on FindMyPast


Continue Learning About FindMyPast for Genealogy Research



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