FAMILY TREE FILE
SAFETY GUIDEBOOK

Trusted companion product for Family Tree Maker users.

Guide for FTM 2019 & FTM 2024

Digital PDF • Printable

Instant guide download

FAMILY TREE FILE
SAFETY GUIDEBOOK

Trusted companion product for Family Tree Maker users.

Guide for FTM 2019 & FTM 2024

Digital PDF • Printable

Instant guide download

FAMILY TREE FILE
SAFETY GUIDEBOOK

Trusted companion product for Family Tree Maker users.

Guide for FTM 2019 & FTM 2024

Digital PDF • Printable

Instant guide download

eBook guide

MADE FOR FAMILY TREE MAKER USERS

A Simple Plan to Keep Your research Safe

A Simple Plan to Keep Your research Safe

This guide explains the structure of your Family Tree Maker file, the meanings of different file and backup types, and where your tree data and media are stored, and how to protect them more reliably.

This guide explains the structure of your Family Tree Maker file, the meanings of different file and backup types, and where your tree data and media are stored, and how to protect them more reliably.

FAMILY TREE FILE
SAFETY GUIDEBOOK

Protect your tree, media files, and years of research with a clear, step-by-step guide.

Guide for FTM 2019 &

FTM 2024

Guide for FTM 2019 & FTM 2024

Digital PDF • Printable

Instant download

• For Mac and Windows users

40%

OFF

$24.00

REG.

$40

Backup Basics

Safe Sync

Recovery Tools

Safety Checklist

*14-days money back guarantee.

ORDER THE GUIDE

FAMILY TREE FILE
SAFETY GUIDEBOOK

Protect your tree, media files, and years of research with a clear, step-by-step guide.

Guide for FTM 2019 &

FTM 2024

Guide for FTM 2019 & FTM 2024

Digital PDF • Printable

Instant download

• For Mac and Windows users

40%

OFF

$24.00

REG.

$40

Backup Basics

Safe Sync

Recovery Tools

Safety Checklist

*14-days money back guarantee.

ORDER THE GUIDE

FAMILY TREE FILE
SAFETY GUIDEBOOK

Protect your tree, media files, and years of research with a clear, step-by-step guide.

Guide for FTM 2019 &

FTM 2024

Guide for FTM 2019 & FTM 2024

Digital PDF • Printable

Instant download

• For Mac and Windows users

40%

OFF

$24.00

REG.

$40

Backup Basics

Safe Sync

Recovery Tools

Safety Checklist

*14-days money back guarantee.

ORDER THE GUIDE

  • Safety Checklist

  • Automatic Backups

  • Media Files

  • Dedicated Support

  • Safety Checklist

  • Automatic Backups

  • Media Files

  • Dedicated Support

  • Safety Checklist

  • Automatic Backups

  • Media Files

  • Dedicated Support

  • Recover Tree

  • Preserve History

  • Secure Files

  • Save The Research

  • Recover Tree

  • Preserve History

  • Secure Files

  • Save The Research

  • Recover Tree

  • Preserve History

  • Secure Files

  • Save The Research

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What You’ll Learn Inside the guide

What You’ll Learn Inside the guide

Each chapter builds on the one before it, giving you a clear, practical plan to protect your tree, media, and research for the long run.

Each chapter builds on the one before it, giving you a clear, practical plan to protect your tree, media, and research for the long run.

I. INTRODUCTION.
WHY FILES DISAPPEAR

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Why Data Is Lost
1.3 Physical Failure & Human Error

II. UNDERSTANDING YOUR FILES

2.1 What You Are Really Protecting

2.2 The .FTM File Explained

2.3 The Media Folder Explained

2.4 Where Your Data Lives

V. RECOVERY TOOLS & HOW TO RESTORE

If something goes wrong — what do you actually do?


5.1 Understanding TreeVault

5.2 The Antenna Tree Explained

5.3 Creating An Antenna Tree

5.4 Restoring Your Tree With TreeVault

III. BACKUP FUNDAMENTALS

3.1 What a Backup Really Is

3.2 Automatic Backups in Family Tree Maker

3.3 Manual Backups — Step-by-Step

3.4 Finding and Restoring Backup Files

VI. ANCESTRY SYNC SAFETY

6.1 How Sync Works

6.2 Where Sync Risks Appear 6.3 Safe Sync Checklist

VII. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

7.1 Your Legacy — Why It Matters

7.2 The Next of Kin Feature In FTM

7.3 Organizing Your Files for Others

IV. EXTERNAL SAFETY & OFF-SITE PROTECTION

4.1 Why Off-Site Protection Matters

4.2 The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

4.3 A Simple Real-Life Setup

4.4 Using USB Drives Safely

4.5 Cloud Storage for Backups

VIII. FINAL CHECKLISTS & SAFETY MAP

A simple safety map to help you remember the key parts of protecting your tree.


8.1 Bringing It All Together

8.2 Safety Map Overview

8.3 Final Closing

I. INTRODUCTION.
WHY FILES DISAPPEAR

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Why Data Is Lost
1.3 Physical Failure & Human Error

II. UNDERSTANDING YOUR FILES

2.1 What You Are Really Protecting

2.2 The .FTM File Explained

2.3 The Media Folder Explained

2.4 Where Your Data Lives

III. BACKUP FUNDAMENTALS

3.1 What a Backup Really Is

3.2 Automatic Backups in Family Tree Maker

3.3 Manual Backups — Step-by-Step

3.4 Finding and Restoring Backup Files

IV. EXTERNAL SAFETY & OFF-SITE PROTECTION

4.1 Why Off-Site Protection Matters

4.2 The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

4.3 A Simple Real-Life Setup

4.4 Using USB Drives Safely

4.5 Cloud Storage for Backups

V. RECOVERY TOOLS & HOW TO RESTORE

If something goes wrong — what do you actually do?

5.1 Understanding TreeVault

5.2 The Antenna Tree Explained

5.3 Creating An Antenna Tree

5.4 Restoring Your Tree With TreeVault

VI. ANCESTRY SYNC SAFETY

6.1 How Sync Works

6.2 Where Sync Risks Appear 6.3 Safe Sync Checklist

VII. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

7.1 Your Legacy — Why It Matters

7.2 The Next of Kin Feature In FTM

7.3 Organizing Your Files for Others

VIII. FINAL CHECKLISTS & SAFETY MAP

A simple safety map to help you remember the key parts of protecting your tree.


8.1 Bringing It All Together

8.2 Safety Map Overview

8.3 Final Closing

I. INTRODUCTION.
WHY FILES DISAPPEAR

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Why Data Is Lost
1.3 Physical Failure & Human Error

II. UNDERSTANDING YOUR FILES

2.1 What You Are Really Protecting

2.2 The .FTM File Explained

2.3 The Media Folder Explained

2.4 Where Your Data Lives

IV. EXTERNAL SAFETY & OFF-SITE PROTECTION

4.1 Why Off-Site Protection Matters

4.2 The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

4.3 A Simple Real-Life Setup

4.4 Using USB Drives Safely

4.5 Cloud Storage for Backups

VI. ANCESTRY SYNC SAFETY

6.1 How Sync Works

6.2 Where Sync Risks Appear 6.3 Safe Sync Checklist

VII. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

7.1 Your Legacy — Why It Matters

7.2 The Next of Kin Feature In FTM

7.3 Organizing Your Files for Others

III. BACKUP FUNDAMENTALS

3.1 What a Backup Really Is

3.2 Automatic Backups in Family Tree Maker

3.3 Manual Backups — Step-by-Step

3.4 Finding and Restoring Backup Files

V. RECOVERY TOOLS & HOW TO RESTORE

If something goes wrong — what do you actually do?


5.1 Understanding TreeVault

5.2 The Antenna Tree Explained

5.3 Creating An Antenna Tree

5.4 Restoring Your Tree With TreeVault

VIII. FINAL CHECKLISTS & SAFETY MAP

A simple safety map to help you remember the key parts of protecting your tree.


8.1 Bringing It All Together

8.2 Safety Map Overview

8.3 Final Closing

ABOUT US

Created by People Who Care About Family History

Our team is not large, but includes genealogists and data safety specialists who have personally experienced the fear of losing years of research. That is why we built the guide we wish we had ourselves.

Clear steps. Practical protection. A calm, reliable plan.

WHY WE CREATED THIS GUIDE

Our mission is simple: to help you protect the work that matters. We create clear, easy-to-follow guides for dedicated family historians. No technical overwhelm. No unnecessary complexity.

GET THE SAFETY GUIDE

REVIEWS

Peace of Mind From Real Users

Family historians who now feel confident about their work.

I’ve used Family Tree Maker for over 15 years. I thought I was safe — until I read this guide. Now I know I really am."

client pic

Margaret T.

Ohio

I’ve used Family Tree Maker for over 15 years. I thought I was safe — until I read this guide. Now I know I really am."

client pic

Margaret T.

Ohio

"The 3–2–1 explanation finally made sense to me. Clear, calm, and easy to follow."

client pic

Robert L.

Arizona

"I wish I had this before I lost my first tree years ago."


client pic

John M.

Florida

"I wish I had this before I lost my first tree years ago."


client pic

John M.

Florida

GET THE SAFETY GUIDE

  • company logo
  • company logo
  • company logo
  • company logo
  • company logo
  • company logo
  • company logo
  • company logo

FAQ'S

Got a quick question?

We're here to help you make the right decision. Explore our frequently asked questions and find answers below.

Are you related to Family Tree Maker?

We are an independent publisher. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Software MacKiev or Ancestry. We provide independent educational guidance.

Is this guide technical?

Do I need TreeVault?

Is this a subscription?

What format is the guide?

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY TREE TODAY

FAMILY TREE FILE
SAFETY GUIDEBOOK

FAMILY TREE FILE
SAFETY GUIDEBOOK

Because digital files don’t protect themselves.

This guide gives you a simple safety system —

so your research stays safe today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

Because digital files don’t protect themselves.

This guide gives you a simple safety system —

so your research stays safe today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

ORDER THE GUIDE

40%

OFF

$24.00

Reg

$40

Guide for FTM 2019 & FTM 2024

Guide for FTM 2019 & FTM 2024

Digital PDF • Printable

Digital PDF • Printable

Instant download

Instant download

Get Guide