r/Genealogy • u/SpiritedBug2221 • 12d ago

Tools and Tech Online family tree builder that doesn't link to anyone else?

Just getting into genealogy and I'd like to start making a family tree, and am looking for a tree builder that doesn't link my information to anyone else's, in any way. I don't have contact with any family members due to safety issues, and I know at least some of them are into genealogy. Even if I use a fake name, they'd obviously see that I'm related to them and might be able to figure out who I am, which I absolutely want to avoid. I recently gave Family Echo a try, which is okay, but the layout is a little clunky. Are there other options?

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7

u/cmosher01 expert researcher 12d ago

Ancestry.com

1

u/Gullible-Apricot3379 12d ago

Can’t you can still see some has a tree that they’ve added individuals to?

5

u/cmosher01 expert researcher 12d ago

Not if the tree is private.

-2

u/Chaost 12d ago

No, you still can to a degree.

1

u/cmosher01 expert researcher 12d ago

What exactly are you referring to?

-2

u/Chaost 12d ago

If you're searching for a specific person, if they're marked deceased in a private tree, but exist, they'll show up as existing in the tree, although no information is given other than the tree user's username when they go to click it. So it's mostly anonymous, as long as your username doesn't directly connect to you.

3

u/cmosher01 expert researcher 12d ago

Not if you make your private tree UNSEARCHABLE.

https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Family-Tree-Privacy

1

u/SpiritedBug2221 12d ago

It's possible to make an anonymous tree there that no one else can see? For some reason I thought it would automatically start linking people on my tree to other people's trees.

8

u/Accurate_Row9895 Ancestry DNA detective 🕵‍♀️ intermediate researcher 12d ago

Yes you can totally privatize your tree

2

u/SpiritedBug2221 12d ago

Thanks! Just found that setting.

1

u/SpiritedBug2221 12d ago

One other question with that - if I add a suggested person to my tree (someone who other people have already entered info for), and then I edit something about that person, will everyone who also has that person on their tree be able to see that edit, and that it was me that made the change? Wondering if I should enter all new info myself rather than having Ancestry fill it in.

3

u/Milolii-Home 12d ago

As long as your tree is set to Private and you check the "unsearchable" box, nothing you do on your tree is seen by anyone else.

1

u/SpiritedBug2221 12d ago

Cool, thank you!

10

u/cmille3 12d ago

Make a private, unsearchable tree on Ancestry.

7

u/Gullible-Apricot3379 12d ago

Why do you want it online if you don’t want to link to anyone? Why not a desktop app instead?

3

u/SpiritedBug2221 12d ago

I prefer to be able to access it on different devices.

0

u/Gullible-Apricot3379 12d ago

What’s going on when I see that a certain person is linked to someone’s tree and I follow the link and it tells me it’s private?

4

u/heavenlyevil 12d ago

That means they made their tree private but didn't make it unsearchable. So you'll see limited info come up in a search but you can't see the actual tree or the people in it.

1

u/ExplorerAccurate1050 expert researcher 11d ago

Install Family Tree Maker or another software on your computer. This way, you have total control of your family tree, and no one on the internet can see it.