Wikitree The Free Family Tree

Leo Migdal

-Nov 30, 2025, 2:09 AM

WikiTree is a genealogy website that allows users to contribute profiles and collaborate to build a single family tree, also known as a one world tree, by connecting profiles on the global WikiTree within... As of October 2023[update], the WikiTree website claimed that the site had more than 1 million registered members and contained more than 36 million profiles of people, with over 12 million profiles of people... Chris Whitten, the founder of WikiAnswers (originally FAQFarm), developed WikiTree in 2005,[10][11] inviting users personally to the site, starting in early 2008.[11] WikiTree.com opened to the public in November 2008.[1][12] WikiTree is owned by... In 2015, the since-defunct Global Family Reunion Project was established, a tie-in to a worldwide family genealogy event hosted by author A.J. Jacobs, at which WikiTree "relationship finder" tools were available to calculate genealogical connections.[13] The site uses a wiki markup language (powered by a fork of the MediaWiki software) that enable users to create and edit personal profiles, categories and "free space" pages to document family history.

The user interface is only available in English, while most of the help pages have been translated to Dutch, French and German. For 2015, one of the top genealogical free sites to use is WikiTree. Its rank (done by Genealogy in Time Magazine) in 2014 compared to all the other free and paid genealogical sites was 21st. In 2015, it rose in rank to 15th. There are some 10.9 million individuals in the listings contributed by over 275,000 family history researchers. WikiTree first started in 2008 by Chris Whitten and has always been free and open to anyone to view and join.

It has become a method for everyone to share their family tree and possibility connect to others. When creating an account, you supply your name, a password, and your email address. Then you can create your family tree. Even if you have only a few names and dates, it is a start. If you also have any photos, do include those. Each relative you can build on the information.

What really helps is when someone else is looking for a similar surname or a specific person they can search and find your tree. You in turn can also so a search and find others with matching family branches as you have. It is a great way to build and add to your family history. As you learn or discover new information the tree can be edited. The directions are easy to follow and cover any aspect you may be interested in, even to contracting others who might be related. If you do just a surname search, it will list all in the database with that surname.

You can then click on those of interest to you. New family names and individuals are being added every day, so you recheck once a month or so. However, start by adding your own family tree. You can keep it private or make it public – your choice. WikiTree has been working to create a global family tree since 2008. A truly global family tree, with one profile per person who ever lived, within the genealogical timeframe (back to around the time we started using surnames).

WikiTree does this by creating a collaborative community for genealogists who work together on shared ancestors. It’s a robust community built upon a 9-point honor code and a system to help those who struggle to become better genealogists and at the same time better WikiTreers (a person who is a... To join WikiTree just go to WikiTree and click join. You have the option of being a Guest, Family Member, or Wiki Genealogist. All of these member levels are free and will always be free. Established in 2008, WikiTree has rapidly emerged as a prominent player in the field of genealogy.

With an extensive database boasting over 24 million profiles, and a community of more than 740,000 genealogists worldwide, WikiTree has made its mark. What distinguishes WikiTree is its unwavering commitment to maintaining a free platform, ensuring that individuals can explore their family history without financial constraints. The platform’s collaborative ethos revolves around the ambitious objective of constructing a unified, comprehensive global family tree that encompasses every individual on Earth. This inclusive and transparent approach encourages contributions from diverse sources, thereby enhancing the research capabilities of the database. Yet, important questions remain: Does WikiTree deliver on its promise? How user-friendly is the software?

Does it facilitate easy access to ancestral information and historical records? I tested every aspect of WikiTree, with nothing left unturned. And honestly, I wasn’t impressed. Yes, it’s free, so I wasn’t expecting to be blown away, but WikiTree has some disappointing flaws. It’s not terribly reliable, it has a clunky, unintuitive interface, and its appearance is seriously dated. Instead, I strongly recommend you go with MyHeritage’s Family Tree Builder.

It’s free to use (you can add up to 250 people on the free family tree), and if you do want to upgrade, there’s a 14-day free trial of the premium packages. It also has a much larger database of records, uses smart matching technology, and provides an array of beautiful charts and presentation options. Build Your Family Tree FREE With MyHeritage

Wikitree The Free Family Tree

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You Can Then Click On Those Of Interest To You.