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Learn how to use Ancestry.com‘s MyTreeTags to manage your genealogy research projects and improve your genealogy organization.
At RootsTech 2019, Ancestry.com announced three new exciting tools genealogy researchers can use in their research: MyTreeTags, and ThruLines . Initially in beta, the tools are a full part of Ancestry.com now. Try them out!
I was immediately drawn to the MyTreeTags tool. With MyTreeTags, Ancestry.com has given users the ability to tag (or label) individual ancestors for better organization and genealogy research project management.
I’m all about genealogy organization and better project management, and MyTreeTags fits into my workflow seamlessly.
Why MyTreeTags?
First things first. What is a “tag”?
A “tag” is simply a label. If ancestor is tagged, he/she has been labeled.
Not sure what to label an ancestor? Keep reading.
MyTreeTags allows the genealogy research to add a tag – or label – an ancestor’s profile in their family tree.
A Tag = A Label 📝
Consider this – You want to add an ancestor to your family tree. While you are not 100% sure that ancestor really is your GGGG grandfather, but you are pretty sure.
Now you can add a label or tag “Hypothesis” or “Unverified” to that ancestor. The MyTrees Tag is visible to viewers of your tree, and allow you to continue to research and work on that ancestor without worrying the information will mistaken for a verified ancestor.
Here is another example.
You have a particular interest in your ancestors who participated in the Revolutionary War. You are considering writing a family history on those ancestors and their activities in the war. You can tag each ancestor with the “Revolutionary War” label.
Ready to write your book? Search your family tree by the tag “Revolutionary War”.
How To Use the MyTreeTags Feature
1.Go to the profile page of the ancestor you are researching or interested in tagging. In this example, I am using the profile for my 5th Great grandfather James Harward.
2. Click on that little blue tag button under the vital information. You will see a new workspace open up on the right side of the page. In this workspace, you can easily toggle between MyTreeTags, Notes and Comments. For now, stay on MyTreeTags.
3. Under MyTreeTags you can choose one or more tags (or labels) to add to that ancestor. You will find pre-set tags already suggested for under the categories of DNA tags, Reference tags, and Research Tags.
[I shudder to think how many “Brick Wall” ancestors I need to tag!]
Click on the “?” for more information on a particular tag’s description.
Here I’ve tagged James Harward as “Military Service”. Going forward I can search my tree tags for “Military Service” and find all ancestors tagged as such.
4. You as the researcher also have the ability to create a custom tag if one of the pre-set tags does not meet your needs.
Custom tags could be a location such as “Surry County, NC” or “North Carolina”. Perhaps tagging an ancestor with their occupation would be useful in your research. You can literally create whatever custom tag you would find useful.
I’m enjoy using the MyTreeTags in my family tree. Give it a try, and share your experiences with MyTreeTags in the comments below.
I ran across the new tags on Ancestry last night and I wasn’t clear on how to use them so I didn’t mess with them. Thanks for explaining the value of using them. I have numerous brick wall ancestors. I also like the idea of tagging my DNA ancestors. Thank you Taylor
So glad you found this helpful! I’m really enjoying using MyTree Tags, too!
I have enabled MyTreeTags under Extras, but when I click on creating a custom tag and type a Tag Name such as “Divorced” or any other entry and enter brief Tag Description, nothing happens. The tag is not saved and I see no way to save my entry. I tried pressing “Enter” after typing in tag name and description, nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?
Jan, I just tested out MyTreeTags and had no problem creating a tag. Make sure you are clicking the green “Create” button at the bottom of the page.
Hi there – What is the magic limit for the custom tags in Ancestry? I’ve tried adding new ones and the screen blinks and nothing happens. There must be a limit, then? What is that number? I have 77 currently and I was hoping the limit was 100. Thanks
I haven’t seen an actual limit to the number of tags. I would think it’s 100.