Changing Tree Settings on Ancestry.com

Anybody can start a tree on Ancestry.com - even if you don't pay the subscription fee.  They'll let you join site the for free and build your own tree  ... you just can't search their most of their resources for free.

When starting a tree on Ancestry.com, you're asked if you want to make it "public" or "private".  If the tree is public, anybody can see it.  If it's private, only you and those people you invite will be able to see the tree.  The good news is that you can easily change back and forth between "private" and "public" if you change your mind later. To change these settings, follow the steps below:

1. Log into Ancestry.com 
2. Rest your mouse over FAMILY TREE on the top navigational bar and then click your tree
3. Click the link "TREE SETTINGS", which is located near the top under your tree name (above the family tree bar)
4. In the green bar, click PRIVACY SETTINGS 
5. Click the Public or Private option as desired.
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click SAVE CHANGES

Note that on the TREE INFO tab (next to Privacy Settings), you can also change the name of your tree anytime you want.  Just type a new tree name and click Save Changes if desired.

The SHARING tab, allows you to invite others to view your tree (it doesn't matter if it's public or private). The advantage of inviting them, is that they have a direct link to your tree.  You can also specify whether you want to let that person be a contributor to the tree (allowing them to make changes) or just view it.

As the tree owner, you will always see living people in your tree, but outsiders won't be able to - unless you invite them and give them access to view living people.