How to Restore a Backup in Family Tree Maker: Protect Your Ancestral Legacy

If you’ve ever worried about losing years of meticulous genealogy research, knowing how to restore a backup in Family Tree Maker is essential. Whether you’re recovering from a software glitch, transferring data to a new device, or undoing accidental changes, this guide provides a clear, original process to retrieve your family tree safely.

Preparing to Restore Your Backup

Before diving into the restoration, ensure you:

• Locate your backup file (typically ending in .ftmb or .ftm).
• Close Family Tree Maker to prevent conflicts.
• Note the backup’s date to avoid overwriting recent updates.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restore a Backup in Family Tree Maker

Follow these exclusive steps tailored for Family Tree Maker 2019 and newer versions:

1. Launch the Software: Open Family Tree Maker and navigate to the “File” menu.
2. Access Backup Options: Select “Restore from Backup” (Windows) or “Import from Backup” (Mac).
3. Locate Your File: Browse to your saved backup (default locations include Documents\Family Tree Maker\Backups or iCloud for Mac users).
4. Confirm Restoration: Double-click the backup file. A prompt will ask if you want to replace your current tree. Click “Yes” if you’re certain.
5. Verify Success: Check that all media, citations, and notes reload correctly.

Pro Tip: Rename backups with dates (e.g., SmithTree_Jan2023.ftmb) for easier identification.

Troubleshooting Common Restoration Issues

• Unsupported File Version? Older backups (pre-2019) may require using a legacy version of Family Tree Maker first.
• Missing Media? Ensure linked photos or documents are stored in the same relative file paths.
• Corrupted Backup? Try restoring from a secondary backup or use the “Compact File” tool under “Tools” > “File Operations.”

Best Practices After You Restore a Backup in Family Tree Maker

• Create a Fresh Backup: Immediately save a new backup post-restoration.
• Sync with Ancestry: Re-link your tree to Ancestry.com if you use cloud syncing.
• Audit Data: Verify relationships and sources for consistency.

FAQs: Restoring Backups Made Simple

Q: Can I restore a backup to a different computer?

A: Yes! Transfer the .ftmb file via USB or cloud storage and follow the same steps.

Q: Will restoring a backup delete my current tree?

A: Yes—it replaces the active tree. Always back up your current work before restoring.

Q: How often should I back up my data?

A: After every major update or monthly, whichever comes first.

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