How do I merge two Family Tree Maker files?

Merging two Family Tree Maker (FTM) files can be a bit complex, but it is possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Backup Your Files

Before you start, make sure to backup both Family Tree Maker files. This ensures that you have a safe copy in case something goes wrong during the merge process.

Open the Primary Family Tree File

1. Launch Family Tree Maker.
2. Open the primary file (the file you want to merge another file into).

Import the Secondary FTM File

1. Go to the File menu.
2. Select Import and then Family Tree Maker File.
3. Navigate to the location of the secondary file (the file you want to merge into the primary file) and select it.
4. Click Open.

Match Individuals

1. Family Tree Maker will attempt to match individuals from the secondary file with those in the primary file.
2. Review the matches carefully. You can manually match individuals if the software doesn’t do it automatically.
3. For each match, you can choose to merge the information or keep them separate.

Resolve Duplicates

1. After matching, FTM will identify potential duplicates.
2. Review each duplicate and decide whether to merge them or keep them as separate entries.
3. When merging duplicates, you can choose which information to keep (e.g., notes, sources, media).

Review and Clean Up

1. Once the merge is complete, review your tree to ensure everything is correct.
2. Check for any inconsistencies or missing information.
3. Make any necessary adjustments manually.

Save the Merged File

1. Go to the File menu.
2. Select Save As to save the merged file with a new name. This ensures you retain the original files in their unmerged state.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully merge two Family Tree Maker files. If you encounter any issues please contact our customer service