Family Tree Maker (FTM) is one of the most popular genealogy software programs used to build and manage family trees. Adding photos and media files to your tree brings your family history to life. Whether you want to attach old family photos, census records, birth certificates, or videos, Family Tree Maker makes the process simple.
In this guide, you will learn how to add photos, media, and documents to Family Tree Maker step by step, whether you are using FTM 2019, FTM 2017, or earlier versions.
✅ Why Add Photos and Media to Family Tree Maker?
Adding media to your tree helps:
- Preserve family memories
- Make your genealogy visually rich
- Connect names with real people
- Keep documents safe and organized
- Share your heritage with family members
📌 Supported Media File Types in Family Tree Maker
Before uploading, make sure your file type is supported. FTM allows:
| Media Type | Supported Formats |
|---|---|
| Images | JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF |
| Documents | PDF, DOC, RTF, TXT |
| Audio Files | MP3, WAV |
| Videos | MP4, MOV, AVI |
🔧 How to Add Photos and Media in Family Tree Maker
Method 1: Add Media to a Person
Follow these steps:
- Open Family Tree Maker.
- Go to the Tree tab.
- Select the person you want to attach a photo or document to.
- Click on the Media tab in the right panel.
- Click Add ➝ Add New Media.
- Browse and select the file from your computer.
- Click Open, then select Link to person.
- Click OK to finish.
Method 2: Add Media Using the Media Workspace
- Click on Media in the main menu.
- Select Add ➝ Add New Media.
- Choose a photo, PDF, certificate, or any supported file.
- Once uploaded, right-click on the media file.
- Choose Link to person, Link to citation, or Link to fact.
- Save changes.
Method 3: Add Web Media or Downloaded Images
- Right-click an image on a website (like Ancestry.com) and save it to your computer.
- In FTM, go to Media ➝ Add New Media.
- Upload the saved file.
- Link it to a person, fact, or event.
📂 Organizing Media in Family Tree Maker
To stay organized:
- Create media categories like Photos, Birth Records, Marriage Certificates, Military Records, etc.
- Rename files clearly (Example: John_Doe_Birth_Certificate_1942.pdf).
- Use captions and descriptions to add details.
- Tag media files with people and events.
- Store files in one single folder to avoid broken links.
🖼️ Set a Profile Picture in FTM
To set a default photo for a person:
- Select the person.
- Go to Media.
- Right-click the photo you want.
- Click Set as Profile Picture.
🔗 Sync Media with Ancestry (FTM 2019/2017)
If your tree is connected to Ancestry:
- Media files will sync automatically
- Make sure sync status is green
- Click Sync Now if media doesn’t appear online
🛠️ Fix Common Media Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Media Missing or Broken Links | Use “Find Missing Media” in Media workspace |
| Duplicate Photos | Use “Media Detail View” to delete duplicates |
| Media Not Syncing | Restart FTM and check your internet connection |
| Large files slow FTM | Compress photos under 2MB |
⭐ Final Tips
- Always backup your tree before adding large batches of media.
- Save photos in high quality.
- Add captions and notes for future generations.
- Keep your Media Folder organized.
✅ Conclusion
Learning how to add photos, media, and documents to Family Tree Maker is a simple yet powerful way to preserve your family legacy. With a few clicks, you can attach memories, organize documents, and make your tree meaningful and interactive.
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