You can keep your information private on Ancestry by adjusting your privacy settings. To do this, go to the Settings page of your tree and select the Privacy Settings tab. Here, you will see the option to choose between a Public Tree or a Private Tree.
If you select Public Tree, it means that anyone can view your tree and its contents. This includes other Ancestry members as well as people who find your tree through searches on Ancestry or search engines like Google. Keep in mind that even with a Public Tree, living individuals’ information will be hidden to protect their privacy.
On the other hand, if you want to keep your tree private and restrict access to only certain individuals, you can choose the Private Tree option. This means that only people you invite to your tree can view it. To invite someone, you will need their Ancestry username or email address.
Additionally, if you want to go a step further and prevent your tree from being found in searches altogether, you can check the box that says “Also prevent your tree from being found in searches” in the Private Tree section. This ensures that your tree remains hidden from both Ancestry and external search engines.
It’s important to note that even with a private tree, individuals you invite will still be able to see the full details of living people in your tree. Therefore, it’s crucial to be mindful of who you invite and consider their level of trustworthiness.
In my own experience, I have chosen to keep my tree private on Ancestry. I value the privacy of my family’s information and prefer to have control over who can access it. By making my tree private, I can share the details with only those I trust and feel comfortable sharing with.
Ancestry provides options to keep your information private. You can choose between a Public Tree or a Private Tree, depending on your preferences. If you opt for a private tree, you can further restrict access by inviting specific individuals and prevent your tree from being found in searches. It’s important to carefully consider your privacy settings and choose what makes you feel comfortable and secure.