Learn how to create an Ancestry account, sign in, start a free trial, choose a membership, recover a forgotten password, troubleshoot login problems, cancel a membership and permanently delete an Ancestry account.
Ancestry combines family trees, historical records, hints and research tools to help you discover and document your family history.
What Ancestry is, what an account provides, and why a membership may be useful for family-history research.
Ancestry is an online genealogy and family-history service. You can create family trees, search historical records, review Ancestry Hints and connect information about relatives and ancestors.
A free Registered Guest account provides access to selected free records, research guides, charts and forms, support resources and family-tree features. Paid memberships provide broader access to record collections and other member features.
Core activities commonly used by family historians.
Add names, dates, places, relationships, photographs, stories and sources to organize your research.
Search available collections such as census records, vital records, immigration records and other historical documents.
Hints can suggest records and possible connections that may help you extend or verify your family tree.
AncestryDNA users can access DNA-related features according to their account, membership and current product terms.
Depending on your account and membership, you can communicate with other Ancestry members and collaborate on family history.
The Ancestry app is free to download, while memberships purchased through the app are managed through the relevant app store.
Ancestry supports several sign-in methods. Choose the method associated with your account.
Visit Ancestry and select Sign in from the top-right area of the website.
Enter your Ancestry email address or username and password, then select Sign in.
If your account uses Google or Apple sign-in, select the corresponding button and complete the provider's verification steps.
If two-step verification is enabled for your Ancestry account, enter the verification code when prompted and choose whether to remember the device.
You can create a free Registered Guest account without immediately purchasing a membership.
Ancestry states that passwords are case-sensitive and should be at least 8 characters, containing at least one number and one letter or special symbol.
Ancestry also allows a new account to be created using Google or Apple. Follow the identity provider's sign-in and verification prompts and then complete the requested Ancestry account information.
An email address can generally be associated with only one Ancestry account. If the email is already in use, sign in to the existing account or use a different email address.
Ancestry currently advertises a 14-day free trial for eligible users.
Select an available membership and the billing duration offered for the trial. Ancestry currently lists U.S. Discovery, World Explorer and All Access as its three main membership types.
Use your existing Ancestry account or complete the New Account process if you are new to Ancestry.
Ancestry requires a valid payment method for the free trial. The payment method may include an accepted card, PayPal or Apple Pay depending on the available checkout options.
The trial can automatically convert into the selected paid membership unless it is canceled within the trial period. Keep the cancellation confirmation for your records.
A free trial is not the same as a free account. Ancestry says the selected membership becomes paid after the two-week trial unless canceled. Check the checkout screen for the exact renewal amount, duration, taxes and terms shown for your location before starting the trial.
Common sign-in problems and practical checks before contacting support.
If you recently changed your password and it is not accepted, clear your browser cache and cookies, close the browser and try signing in again.
Try signing in with the email address associated with your Ancestry account. If you still cannot identify the username, use Ancestry's account-recovery help.
If your membership or tree is missing, you may be signed into a different Ancestry account. Sign out and sign back in with the account that owns the membership or tree.
Check the latest verification message and enter the current code. If you use Google or Apple sign-in, follow the verification process for that provider.
Refresh the page, try a private/incognito window, clear browser data, disable problematic extensions and try a current browser.
Confirm you are using the same sign-in method as your account. If the membership was purchased in an app, billing is handled through the relevant app store.
Use Ancestry's password-recovery process rather than creating a second account.
Open Ancestry's official Forgot Password page and enter the username requested there.
Follow the password-reset instructions sent for the account. Check spam or junk folders if you do not immediately see the message.
Use a strong, unique password that meets Ancestry's current requirements and avoid reusing a password from another service.
If the new password still does not work, Ancestry recommends clearing browser cache and cookies and trying again.
These are two different actions and should not be confused.
Canceling a membership stops automatic renewal. It does not delete your Ancestry account, family trees or DNA results. After the paid membership expires, the account can become a free Registered Guest account.
Go to Account Settings → Membership, select Cancel membership or Cancel trial, and continue until you receive a cancellation confirmation number.
Account deletion is much more serious. Ancestry says deleting an account permanently deletes account information, including family trees, records, photos and DNA results.
Download any family trees, DNA data, notes or files you need before starting the deletion process. Account deletion cannot be reversed once submitted.
Answers to common questions about accounts, login, trials, pricing and deletion.
Yes. Ancestry offers a free Registered Guest account with access to selected free records, research guides, charts and forms, support resources and family-tree features. Paid memberships provide broader record access.
Select Sign in and use your Ancestry email/username and password, or use Google or Apple if your account was set up that way. Two-step verification may be requested.
Use Ancestry's account creation page and sign up with Google, Apple or an email address. Email sign-up requires your name, email address and a password meeting Ancestry's requirements.
Ancestry currently advertises a 14-day free trial for eligible users. A valid payment method is required. The selected membership can become paid after the trial unless it is canceled within the trial period.
Use the official Forgot Password page. If a reset password does not work, clear your browser cache and cookies and try again.
You may be signed into a different Ancestry account. Sign out and sign back in with the account that owns the membership. Also check Account Settings for your current membership and billing details.
No. Canceling a membership does not delete your account, family trees or DNA results. Your account can become a free Registered Guest after the membership expires.
Follow Ancestry's account-deletion process. Download anything you want to keep first. Deletion permanently removes account data and cannot be reversed.
Pricing depends on the membership, billing term, country and current promotion. The U.S. list prices shown in this guide are examples; always verify the price displayed on Ancestry's checkout page before purchasing.
Yes. A free Registered Guest account can be used for selected free resources and family-tree activities. Many historical records require a paid membership.
No. Uninstalling the app does not cancel a membership. Memberships purchased through an app store must be managed through the appropriate billing provider.
No. Ancestry and Family Tree Maker are separate products and services. This page focuses on Ancestry accounts, memberships, login, records and account support.
This independent guide was prepared using Ancestry's public website and Help Center pages for account creation, sign-in, free trials, membership options, pricing, cancellation and account deletion. Ancestry's prices, offers, eligibility rules, available payment methods and interface wording can change. Always confirm current terms directly on Ancestry before starting a trial, purchasing a membership or deleting an account.
If you are having trouble signing in, recovering a password, finding the correct account, understanding membership access, or working with your family tree, you can use this guide as a starting point and then verify account-specific actions in Ancestry's official Help Center.
