Well, to understand the limitations of FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019, you should first know that most family tree content, including core genealogy data, syncs successfully between Family Tree Maker and Ancestry. FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019 allows users to synchronize names, facts, relationships, sources, citations, repositories, and most media files between their desktop tree and online Ancestry tree.
However, because Family Tree Maker and Ancestry use different database structures, some information is unique to either platform and cannot be transferred through FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019.
For this reason, you should never consider your Ancestry tree a complete backup of your Family Tree Maker tree. Instead, it is highly recommended that you create regular backups to protect important genealogy data that cannot be synchronized.
How FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019 Works
The purpose of FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019 is to keep your Family Tree Maker tree and Ancestry tree updated with the latest changes. Most facts, people, sources, citations, and relationships sync automatically. However, certain features remain exclusive to either Family Tree Maker or Ancestry and are not included during synchronization.
What Family Tree Maker Data Does Not Sync Through FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019?
Private Data
The following private information does not sync to Ancestry:
- Private facts
- Private notes
- Private media
- Elements linked to private data
Sources
The following source-related information is not synchronized:
- Source citations not linked to a fact
- Source citation ratings
- Source media
- Links to different individuals within a single citation
Source Data from Templates
Some source template information entered in Family Tree Maker is unavailable on Ancestry and therefore cannot sync.
Media
The following media information does not sync:
- Media captions
- Media categories
- Audio media items
- Video media items
- Web page archives
Notes
Several note types remain exclusive to Family Tree Maker:
- Research notes
- Fact notes
- Media notes
- Relationship notes
- Reference notes
Places
Place-related information that does not sync includes:
- Short place names
- GPS location coordinates
Facts and Identifiers
The following items are not transferred through FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019:
- Shared facts of detached spouses
- Ancestral File Numbers
- Person IDs
- Relationship IDs
Other Family Tree Maker Data
Additional Family Tree Maker features that do not sync include:
- Tasks
- Saved Charts
- Saved Reports
- Saved Books
- Person Web Links
- Color Coding
What Ancestry Data Does Not Sync to Family Tree Maker?
Although FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019 transfers most family tree information, some Ancestry-specific features cannot be downloaded into Family Tree Maker.
These include:
- Comments
- Military Pages
- DNA Results
- Photo Tags
- Web Links
- Media Types and Description Data
- Location Information
- Original Uploader Information
- Document Transcriptions
Important Changes and Limitations of FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019
Paragraph Formatting
Paragraph breaks may disappear in Citation Detail text after synchronization.
Home Person
The Home Person setting does not update on Ancestry. Changes must be managed through Family Tree Maker.
Media Linked to Relationships
Media linked to relationships in Family Tree Maker may become attached to both individuals after syncing.
Resolving Conflicts
The Resolve Conflict dialog may not display conflicts when information has been modified in both Family Tree Maker and Ancestry.
This may occur with:
- Repositories
- New Persons
- Pictures attached to the same individual
In some situations, deleted facts, citations, or media items may disappear after the next synchronization.
Facts and Data Differences
Most fact names, dates, places, and descriptions synchronize correctly. However, some fact labels may appear differently on Ancestry.
For example:
- Physical Description in Family Tree Maker may appear as Description in Ancestry trees.
Person, Fact, Citation, and Relationship Media
When using FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019, media files are handled differently between Family Tree Maker and Ancestry.
Important points include:
- Media captions in Family Tree Maker become picture names on Ancestry.
- Relationship media is uploaded as personal media attached to each individual.
- Ancestry records merged into Family Tree Maker are not re-uploaded.
- Documents are uploaded only in PDF, DOCX, TXT, and RTF formats.
Supported Image Formats
Images must be in one of the following formats:
- BMP
- JPEG
- PNG
- TIF
File Size Limits
- Photos larger than 15 MB may be resized during upload.
- PDF files cannot exceed 20 MB.
Sources, Citations, and Repositories
Family Tree Maker and Ancestry manage source citations differently.
Family Tree Maker allows a single citation to be linked to multiple individuals. Ancestry creates separate citations for each person. As a result, citation structures may appear different after synchronization.
Understanding these differences is important when using FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019 for large genealogy projects.
Smart Stories and FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019
Smart Stories created in Family Tree Maker become RTF text files when uploaded to Ancestry.
Although these files can be downloaded and viewed, they cannot be edited directly within an Ancestry tree. Instead, they must be opened in a compatible word-processing program.
Best Practices for Using FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019
To protect your family tree data, follow these recommendations:
- Create regular Family Tree Maker backups.
- Store backups on external drives or cloud storage.
- Verify synchronization results after each sync.
- Keep Family Tree Maker updated.
- Review source citations and media files regularly.
- Do not rely on Ancestry as your only backup.
Following these steps will help prevent accidental data loss and ensure a smoother synchronization experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Does FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019 sync all Family Tree Maker data?
Answer:- No. Several items such as research notes, media captions, GPS coordinates, color coding, saved reports, and tasks do not synchronize with Ancestry.
Question: Why is FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019 important?
It helps users keep their Family Tree Maker and Ancestry trees synchronized, reducing the need for manual updates.
Question: Can Ancestry be used as a complete backup of Family Tree Maker?
No. Because some Family Tree Maker features do not sync, you should maintain regular backups of your tree files.
Question: What should I do before syncing my tree?
Create a complete backup of your Family Tree Maker file to protect important data that may not sync.
Conclusion
FamilySync in FTM 2017 and 2019 is an excellent feature for synchronizing family tree data between Family Tree Maker and Ancestry. While most genealogy information transfers successfully, some elements such as research notes, media captions, GPS coordinates, color coding, saved reports, and other advanced Family Tree Maker features do not sync.
Understanding the limitations of FamilySync can help you avoid data loss and manage your genealogy research more effectively. To keep your family tree secure, always create regular backups and verify synchronization results after every sync.
If you encounter synchronization issues, backup problems, or Family Tree Maker errors, you can connect with our Family Tree Maker support experts through live chat for professional assistance and guidance.
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