Finding duplicates
An import, or two branches of the family meeting, can leave the same person in your tree twice. The duplicate finder spots likely pairs and merges them for you.
Steps
Open the duplicate finder
After an import, Family Trees looks for people entered twice and offers to review them. To look at any time, tap + at the top of the Album and choose Find duplicates. It’s in Settings too, under Data, and ⇧⌘D opens it on iPad or Mac.
Review each pair
Possible Duplicates shows both people side by side, with the reasons they look alike, such as Nickname or short form, Born the same year, Same birthplace or Same parents. The fuller record is marked Keep; tap the other one to keep it instead.
Merge, or say they’re different
Tap Merge to combine them into one person, keeping every event, photo, memory and family link from both. Tap Not the same person and the pair won’t be suggested again.
Check, or undo
A merged pair shows Merged into with the name you kept, and an Undo button. A merge is one step, so shaking your iPhone or pressing ⌘Z undoes it too. Open the merged person’s page to check the details.
Tips
- Nicknames count: Peggy Hale and Margaret Hale, born the same year in the same town, are flagged.
- Run the finder after each import, before you start adding photos.
Still stuck? Email support@familytreesapp.com and a person will reply.