“Ancestry does allow users to download their family trees, but you won’t get everything you hoped for. The included backup works by converting the tree into a GEDCOM and – while GEDCOMs include all of the data, text and source citations from a family tree – the format doesn’t support media, such as digital records or pictures. These must be downloaded separately one by one – even if you have hundreds or thousands of files. This means that if you only back up your files via Ancestry’s download then you lose the attached records in the process.”
The paragraph above was taken from this Family History Daily article, which describes how to overcome this limitation by using the RootsMagic genealogical software program’s FREE Essentials edition. Although there isn’t a free version, the procedure also works with the Family Tree Maker genealogy software.
RootsMagic Essentials is free forever but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the paid version. From now through Monday, May 26, 2025, you can get RootsMagic 10 at a special discounted price using code MEMORIAL2025 at checkout.
🔹 New users: $24.95 (regularly $39.95)
🔹 Upgrading users: $20.00 (regularly $29.95)
Disclaimer: The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society does not endorse, warrant, or have any vested interest in RootsMagic. Mention of the software is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an official recommendation or guarantee of its performance.
Submitted by Robin McCarthy
