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Family-tree software · 11 min read

How to back up Family Tree Maker with media

Create a restorable Family Tree Maker backup with media before an update, computer move, merge or major cleanup. Includes Ancestry and GEDCOM safeguards.

By , Wiserta founder · Updated

A laptop, external drive, family photographs and archival folders arranged as a careful genealogy backup workspace.
A family archive is safer when the working tree, portable file, media and backup each have a clear role.

The short answer

Open the trusted master tree, finish or pause major changes, compact the file, then create a full manual Family Tree Maker backup with media. If the tree is linked to Ancestry and the option is available, allow the restored file to resume syncing. Keep a second copy away from the computer and verify that the backup can be restored.

A synced Ancestry tree, an automatic backup, a manual Family Tree Maker backup and a GEDCOM export protect different parts of the archive. The safest routine uses more than one of them instead of assuming that a single copy contains everything.

This guide follows Software MacKiev's current instructions for Family Tree Maker 2017, 2019 and 2024. Menu names and available options can vary by version.

Use this checklist before a risky change

Make a fresh full backup before:

  • installing a Family Tree Maker update;
  • moving the tree to another computer;
  • merging another tree or importing a GEDCOM;
  • changing many names, relationships or places;
  • reorganizing the media folder;
  • relinking or troubleshooting an Ancestry tree;
  • starting a large report, book or cleanup project.

First identify the copy that contains the newest trusted work. Record its filename, location, Family Tree Maker version, last successful sync date and approximate number of people and media items. If more than one person edits the tree, pause changes while the backup is created.

→ Build a complete backup, sync and GEDCOM system

Confirm that the media is really available

A backup can include only media files the computer can reach. Before creating it, open photographs or documents from several different families and folders at full size.

Investigate red links, missing thumbnails and cloud files that are still online-only. If an external drive normally holds part of the collection, connect it first. Avoid renaming or moving the live media folder immediately before the backup.

Family Tree Maker's missing-media tools may help locate files, but do not apply a large automatic relink until you have preserved the current tree and tested the correction on a small sample.

→ Find and relink missing Family Tree Maker media safely

Compact the working tree

Software MacKiev recommends compacting before important updates and other significant changes. Open the trusted tree and use Tools → Compact File. Let the process finish without interruption.

Compacting is maintenance, not a replacement for a backup. Create the manual backup after the compact operation has completed.

Create the full manual backup

Use File → Backup and choose a destination. In the backup options:

  1. select Media files;
  2. include historical events and web favourites if they are part of your workflow;
  3. if the tree is linked to Ancestry, select Allow restored file to resume syncing when the option is available;
  4. choose a filename that identifies the tree, date and software version;
  5. complete the backup and confirm that Family Tree Maker reports success.

A useful filename is:

`Carter-Family_master_FTM2024_2026-08-30.ftmb`

Do not repeatedly overwrite the same undated file. A dated sequence makes it possible to return to a known state when a problem is discovered later.

Check the file before trusting it

Find the new backup in Finder or File Explorer and confirm that:

  • the filename and date are correct;
  • the file is not zero bytes or implausibly small;
  • it is outside the active tree folder;
  • it can be copied to another location without an error;
  • the destination copy has the same file size as the source.

The extension is normally `.ftmb` for current versions. A Family Tree Maker backup is a native restore file; it is not designed to open in unrelated genealogy software.

Keep a second copy away from the computer

A backup beside the working tree can disappear in the same disk failure, theft or accidental deletion. Keep at least one additional copy on a separate external drive or in a secure cloud location.

If the destination uses cloud storage, confirm that the upload has completed. A filename visible in a synced folder is not proof that the full file is stored remotely.

Keep a short text note beside the backup with:

  • Family Tree Maker version and operating system;
  • backup date;
  • whether media was included;
  • whether resume-sync information was included;
  • last successful Ancestry sync date;
  • known missing media or unresolved warnings;
  • location of the separate GEDCOM and media archive.

Make a separate GEDCOM too

Export a GEDCOM from the same trusted tree after the manual backup. The GEDCOM is not a second version of the `.ftmb` file. It is a portable exchange copy of the supported people, relationships, facts, notes and sources.

Media files normally do not travel inside the GEDCOM itself. Keep the media archive separately and record which program and version created the export.

→ See what a GEDCOM preserves and what it leaves behind

Test a restore without replacing the master

The strongest evidence that a backup works is a controlled restore. Copy the backup to an internal drive, restore it under a clearly temporary name and keep it separate from the working tree.

Check:

  1. the starting person and immediate family;
  2. one complex set of relationships;
  3. names with accents or non-English characters;
  4. source citations and notes;
  5. photographs and documents from different folders;
  6. a report or chart you regularly use;
  7. the person and media counts;
  8. the restored file and media locations.

Do not reconnect or sync a temporary test tree by accident. The goal is to prove that the archive restores, not to create another active master.

Do not treat Ancestry sync as the only backup

Ancestry is useful for online access, record discovery and collaboration. It is not interchangeable with the complete native Family Tree Maker backup. Some local program information and media context may not reconstruct from the online tree alone.

Keep a manual backup before a major sync and review the proposed changes before accepting them. If the local and online trees disagree unexpectedly, preserve both states before troubleshooting.

→ Back up an Ancestry tree without assuming media is included

A practical backup rhythm

After a major merge or import: back up immediately before and after the change.

After an important research session: make a dated manual backup when the new evidence would be difficult to reconstruct.

Monthly: copy one verified backup and GEDCOM to separate storage.

Twice a year: restore a test copy and inspect a sample of relationships, citations and media.

Before an update or computer move: create a fresh full backup, GEDCOM and short archive note.

Moving to another computer next?

Do not copy only the visible working-tree file. Transfer the full backup, restore it from the new computer's internal drive, verify media and sources, then reconnect online services carefully.

→ Move Family Tree Maker to a new computer safely

Official references

Wiserta is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Software MacKiev, Family Tree Maker, Ancestry or TreeVault. Product and company names belong to their respective owners.

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