Frequently Asked Questions

 

How is AppleTree.com different from other family history and genealogy websites?

AppleTree.com has a few key differences from other online family history websites. Our website is free to use, and a subscription is not required to collaborate with other users in growing the tree. The website is open to the public, and anyone can edit and update information making it more accurate over time.

 

How do I make my data private?

The content on AppleTree.com is open to public. We believe this is an important part of the collective work of building the world's family tree.

 

What kind of content can I upload for free?

In addition to photographs, you are free to upload scans of your vital records documents like birth and death certificates, draft cards, newspaper articles, obituaries, deeds, census records, etc., by selecting the upload image from the profile gallery page. We will also be adding options to add video and audio recordings in the near future.

 

What is a Gedcom file?

A Gedcom file is a file that is saved to your hard disk that contains all of your genealogical information in a format that allows it to be exchanged and/or shared with other genealogy applications. The name Gedcom comes from the GEnealogical Data COMmunication standard introduced by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and used by many developers and users of genealogical software. If you are using a desktop computer program like Family Tree Maker, Reunion, PAF, or others, you have the ability to create a GEDCOM file. Simply follow the instructions in the program you are using to details about how to make one.

 

Is there a size limit for uploading a Gedcom file?

We invite you to upload as large a Gedcom file as you have. Larger files will sometimes be put into a queue for importing to prevent any disruption in the service of the website. You will be notified via email once large files have been imported into the tree.

 

What do I do if someone changes my information?

We employee a system of email notifications to keep users informed about changes and updates to content that they have contributed or collaborated upon. If you receive a notification that information has been changed, simply click on the link in the notification email to return to the website, and review the change. As a registered user, you have the freedom to accept the change by doing nothing, revert the change to the prior information, or send the collaborator a message looking for clarification.

 

How much does the service cost?

The website is, and will continue to be free of charge. We offer some higher level functionality that requires a paid subscription, but the subscription is not required to interact with the global tree and collaborate with other users.

 

Am I liable for the information I publish?

We request that all our users exercise good judgment when contributing information to the website. As a shared website, it's important that information not make claims that are erroneous or defamatory as such contributions may lead to potential issues.

 

Will I ever be charged for using AppleTree.com?

AppleTree.com offers its service at no charge. It is our belief that requiring payment for development of the family tree would only delay our efforts, and limit the participation in the community. Our Pro Users make subscription payments to enable the full features of the website for their family history work, however such a subscription is not required to collaborate on the global family tree.

 

Can I delete content from AppleTree.com?

Once it's been contributed, content cannot be deleted from AppleTree.com, however it can be modified to be made more accurate. If you have a dispute with the information in the tree, please email us at dispute (at) appletree (dot) com

 

Someone has published something about me that is not accurate. How do I change it?

If you discover content that you believe is not accurate at AppleTree.com, modifying the information is very simple. Sign up as a free user, and click the edit button or link associated with the inaccurate information. Update the information to be accurate, and offer sources and documentation wherever possible. The more sources attributed to the information, the more accurate the tree becomes, and the less likely others are to revert the change.

 

What is the difference between a public and private tree?

AppleTree.com is a public family tree, and does not currently include private family trees. Private family trees are available through various desktop software solutions and give you features and to customize a reports and charts for your ancestral tree that AppleTree.com does not currently support. AppleTree seeks to make it easy and free to collaborate with others online to discover new relatives even if your primary database is on your desktop.

 

Why is the information about living individuals made public?

Genealogy is a huge field of interest, and focuses largely on the ancestral trail in our lives. Living individuals are typically filtered or eliminated altogether from such user experiences. AppleTree.com is a family history website that relies on the contribution of living individuals to make connections in the global family tree, and to record the stories of those still living so those important life milestones are not lost. Our dream of having a single human family tree is larger than the genealogical landscape - it's a landscape of memories, photos, and stories to be recorded for generations to come. We include the living in our tree as public to allow access and collaboration on their stories.

 

Can I move information from another genealogy website to AppleTree.com?

Moving genealogy information from one genealogy website or desktop software to AppleTree is easy. Simply download or export your Gedcom file and upload to AppleTree.com.

 

What file formats does AppleTree.com support for uploads?

We currently support Gedcom, PAF, and FTM file formats. AppleTree.com is also a supporter of OpenGen.org a foundation currently working to create a single standard for genealogy information interoperability.

 

If information I've added to the tree gets changed, how will I know?

AppleTree.com uses an email notification system to alert users when information in the tree has been changed. Users who have contributed or previously collaborated on the information receive emails with information about the change, and a link to review the edit that has been made. Users can modify their preferences for receiving these notifications through their dashboard settings.

 

How do I download photos from the website?

Photo and media downloads are an AppleTree.com Pro User feature. When you subscribe with one of our payment plans, the download buttons will be enabled along with many other great features.

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