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If you are experiencing Ancestry media sync issues on Family Tree Maker 2019, you are not alone. Many users face challenges when their media, such as photos, documents, and audio files, do not fully sync between Family Tree Maker (FTM) and Ancestry. This situation can be frustrating, especially when you rely on accurate family research. However, understanding the cause of these issues and learning the right steps to resolve them can help you regain control of your genealogy work.

Why Media Sync Problems Occur

Ancestry media sync issues on Family Tree Maker 2019 often occur because the sync system must transfer large amounts of data. Each image or document in your tree requires proper indexing and connection to a specific person. When the tree becomes large or contains media stored in different locations, conflicts may happen. Additionally, internet interruptions, outdated software, or corrupted files may also cause sync errors.

Family Tree Maker 2019 uses a feature called TreeSync in earlier versions and FamilySync in the latest releases. This feature keeps your tree synchronized between Ancestry and your computer. When everything works smoothly, you can add information from either platform. However, if any part of the sync chain breaks, media may fail to download or upload.

Common Signs of Sync Problems

You may notice several signs that indicate Ancestry media sync issues on Family Tree Maker 2019:

• Some photos appear missing after syncing.

• Media files fail to load when viewed in Family Tree Maker.

• Syncing takes a very long time or freezes.

• Ancestry displays the media, but Family Tree Maker does not.

• Duplicate or broken file links may appear.

These symptoms show that something is preventing the proper flow of data.

Checking Your Software and Internet Connection

Before going deeper, verify that you are using the most recent version of Family Tree Maker 2019. Updates often include fixes for common syncing problems. To check for updates, open FTM and go to the Help menu. Select Check for Updates. If there is a newer version, download and install it.

Moreover, ensure your internet connection is stable. Syncing media requires consistent data transfer. If your connection drops while syncing, files may fail to upload or download correctly. A wired connection often works better than Wi-Fi for large synchronization tasks.

Ensuring Your Tree is Healthy

A large or complex tree may develop data conflicts. Therefore, you should run the Tree Browser Cleanup Tool inside Family Tree Maker. This utility checks for broken links, duplicate files, or missing references. Cleaning the tree before syncing prevents many media errors.

Additionally, check your Ancestry media storage settings. If media files were uploaded in different file formats or stored in multiple directories, FTM may have trouble linking them. For best results, store media in the default FTM media folder and avoid moving images manually.

Syncing One Direction at a Time

When fixing Ancestry media sync issues on Family Tree Maker 2019, it is often helpful to sync in one direction. If your most accurate data is on Ancestry, download a fresh version of your tree into FTM. However, if your most accurate data resides on FTM, then upload your current tree to Ancestry and replace the older online version.

Doing a full reset in this way ensures a clean sync structure. Yet, always backup your tree before making any major changes. Family history is valuable, and a backup provides protection.

Working with Media Files Efficiently

High-quality historical photos can be large. Large images transfer slowly, which increases the risk of sync failure. Therefore, consider reducing image size before syncing. Most genealogy work does not require extremely high resolution.

In addition, avoid special characters in file names. Characters such as “#, %, &, @” may interfere with syncing. Rename your media with simple letters and numbers to prevent linking errors.

Restoring Broken Media Links

Sometimes the media is actually stored correctly, but the link that connects the media to the person profile becomes damaged. In that case, use the Find Missing Media tool in FTM. The tool scans your computer for the original file and restores the link automatically. This feature reduces frustration and saves time.

Contacting Technical Support

If you continue experiencing Ancestry media sync issues on Family Tree Maker 2019 even after trying the steps above, contacting technical support may be necessary. Both Mackiev (the makers of FTM) and Ancestry support teams can assist. However, Mackiev usually handles software-side problems, whereas Ancestry handles online account or tree issues. When contacting support, provide clear details about the problem and include screenshots if possible. This helps the support team diagnose your case more quickly.

Preventing Future Sync Issues

Though fixes exist, prevention is always better. Here are a few habits that reduce sync problems:

• Sync your tree frequently instead of waiting to make many changes at once.

• Keep your computer system updated.

• Maintain stable internet during sync operations.

• Regularly optimize your tree using FTM’s Tree Tools.

• Backup your family tree before major updates.

By following these practices, you maintain a reliable and consistent sync experience.

Conclusion

Ancestry media sync issues on Family Tree Maker 2019 can disrupt your genealogy workflow. However, understanding the causes and applying the solutions above will help restore smooth syncing. The key is maintaining organized media files, keeping software updated, and ensuring steady internet during sync. When handled properly, your family tree remains accurate, complete, and accessible across both platforms. With patience and the right approach, you can enjoy a reliable and rewarding genealogy experience. if you need help, you can call our experts at +1-888-427-8070.