Why linking your DNA to a tree matters
Your AncestryDNA test results can exist in your account without being attached to anyone in a family tree. Linking tells Ancestry which person in your tree you are. That link is what allows tree-based features to work, including the tool described in our guide to how Ancestry ThruLines work. It also helps your matches see how your tree might connect to theirs.
Before you start
- Sign in to the Ancestry account that holds the DNA test.
- Make sure you have a tree that you own, and that you appear in it as a person. If you do not, create a tree and add yourself first.
- Know which person in the tree represents the test taker. If you are managing someone else’s kit, that is the person you will link.
Ancestry’s interface changes from time to time, so button names below may differ slightly from what you see.
Steps to link your DNA test to your tree
- Log in to Ancestry and open the DNA menu at the top of the page.
- Choose your DNA results summary. If you manage more than one test, select the correct one.
- Open the Settings for that test, usually found near the top right of the results page.
- Find the section on DNA and family tree linking, and choose the option to link the DNA to a tree.
- Pick the family tree from the list. You can generally only link to a tree you own, not one that is merely shared with you.
- Ancestry may suggest a person in the tree. If it picks the correct one, confirm it. If not, search for the right person by name and select them.
- Save or confirm the link.
After linking, your tree-based DNA features may take some time to update, so you may not see changes right away.
Link a DNA match to a person in your tree
Once your own test is linked, you can also record how a particular match fits in your tree:
- Open your DNA match list and click the match.
- Look for an option to connect the match to your tree.
- Search for the person in your tree who corresponds to the match and select them.
This marks the profile and helps you keep track of known cousins. Only connect a match when you are confident who the person is, as wrong connections can mislead you later.
If you are linking a family member’s test
If you manage a test for a relative, link their DNA to their own profile in your tree, not to yourself. If your parent, spouse or child took a test that you manage, check that the right person is chosen.
Spouses sometimes ask whether they can share one Ancestry account. In general, each person’s DNA test is tied to the account that manages it, and it is clearer to give each person their own sign-in or to share access rather than mix results. For options on sharing, see linking AncestryDNA results to another account.
Tree privacy settings and linking
A linked tree can only help your matches if it is visible to them. Tree privacy options generally include public, private and searchable, and private. Features that compare trees tend to rely on trees that can be found. Think about how much information you want to share, particularly about living people, which Ancestry typically hides in public view.
Troubleshooting
- I do not see the link option. Check you are signed in to the account that owns the test, and that the test results are complete.
- The tree I want is not in the list. You may only have viewing access to it. Ask the owner for a copy, or create your own tree.
- I linked to the wrong person. Go back to the same settings area and change the link to the correct person.
- My DNA is linked but nothing new appears. Give it some time, and check that the tree has enough generations and detail to be useful.
- I am not sure which tree to use. Choose the tree that is best researched and that you want to share with matches. Keep one main tree rather than several overlapping ones.
Tips after linking
- Add your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents with dates and places. See how to add a person to your Ancestry tree.
- Include siblings and their descendants of your ancestors. They help connect you to cousins.
- Cite your sources so you can tell the confirmed from the unconfirmed. The guide to citing census records in Chicago style shows the elements to capture.
- Review ThruLines carefully. They are hints, not proof; see are ThruLines accurate.
A note on the Ancestry lawsuit question
Some readers search about lawsuits involving Ancestry DNA. This article is about account and tree linking only, and it does not cover legal matters. Read Ancestry’s current privacy statement and terms if you have questions about how your DNA data is used.