Duplicate entries are a common issue when building a family tree, especially when syncing data from Ancestry or importing GEDCOM files. Duplicate people make your tree confusing and less accurate. The good news is that you can easily merge duplicate people in Family Tree Maker with a few simple steps. In this guide, we will walk you through the safe and correct method.
Why Duplicates Appear in Family Tree Maker
Duplicate profiles may appear in your tree for several reasons:
- Syncing from Ancestry with slight variations in names
- Importing multiple GEDCOM files
- Accidental double entry of relatives
- Minor spelling differences (e.g., “John Smith” vs. “Jhon Smith”)
- Marriage or adoption records creating unlinked entries
Cleaning up duplicates helps maintain accuracy and prevents future confusion.
How to Find Duplicate People in Family Tree Maker
Before merging, you must first identify duplicate profiles. Use these methods:
✅ Method 1: Use the “Find Duplicate People” Tool
Family Tree Maker has a built-in option to detect duplicates automatically.
- Open Family Tree Maker.
- Go to the People workspace.
- Click Tools from the menu.
- Select Find Duplicate People.
- FTM will scan your tree and show a list of possible duplicate entries.
How to Merge Duplicate People in Family Tree Maker Step-by-Step
Once you identify duplicate profiles, follow this method to merge them safely.
✅ Method 2: Manual Merge
- Go to the People workspace.
- Select one of the duplicate individuals.
- Click Person from the top menu.
- Choose Merge Two Specific Individuals.
- A window will open—select the second duplicate person.
- Compare their details side by side.
- Choose which facts to keep or merge.
- Click Merge to complete.
Important Tips Before Merging
Merging people can be tricky if you’re not careful. Follow these tips to avoid losing information:
- ✅ Always review facts carefully before merging.
- ✅ Check relationships like parents, spouses, and children.
- ✅ Save a backup copy of your tree before merging.
- ✅ Merge slowly—one duplicate at a time.
How to Undo a Wrong Merge
If you merged the wrong people by mistake, don’t panic.
- Go to File > Restore Backup and use a backup version.
- Or use Edit > Undo Merge immediately after merging.
What Happens After Merging
After merging duplicate people:
- Duplicate names and facts are combined
- Extra facts can be reviewed in the Person tab
- Relationships are consolidated
- Tree becomes cleaner and easier to manage
Prevent Duplicate People in Future
To avoid duplicates again, follow these best practices:
- Sync your tree regularly with Ancestry.com
- Avoid importing multiple GEDCOM files
- Check for existing individuals before adding new ones
- Use Find Duplicate People monthly to clean your tree
Final Thoughts
Learning how to merge duplicate people in Family Tree Maker is essential for maintaining an accurate and professional family tree. With the built-in tools and careful review, you can clean up your tree and prevent confusion for future generations. Always remember to create a backup before merging and review each record carefully.