About
MyHeritage is one of the world's leading genealogy and family history platforms, trusted by millions of families across the globe. Users can easily create and share online family trees by adding names, dates, photos, and personal stories, then invite relatives to collaborate. The platform provides access to an enormous database of over 39.6 billion historical records — including birth, marriage, and death records, census data, and newspaper articles — making it possible to trace ancestry back centuries. MyHeritage DNA testing delivers detailed ethnicity breakdowns across 2,114 geographic regions and matches users with biological relatives who have also taken the test. The platform's AI-powered Deep Nostalgia™ feature can animate still photos of ancestors, bringing old portraits to life in a compelling and emotional way. Smart Matches and Record Matches automatically compare your family tree against 60 million other trees and historical records, notifying you of potential new connections via email. MyHeritage is available on web, desktop, and mobile apps (iOS and Android), with seamless synchronization across devices. It is ideal for hobbyist genealogists, family historians, adoptees searching for biological relatives, and anyone curious about their roots and ethnic heritage. A 14-day free trial provides access to premium features before committing to a paid subscription.
Key Features
- Family Tree Builder: Easily create, share, and collaborate on online family trees with names, dates, photos, and stories across all devices.
- DNA Testing & Ethnicity Breakdown: MyHeritage DNA tests reveal your unique ethnic background across 2,114 geographic regions and match you with biological relatives.
- Historical Records Search: Access over 39.6 billion historical records worldwide, including birth, marriage, death records, censuses, and newspaper archives.
- Deep Nostalgia™ Photo Animation: AI-powered feature that animates still photos of ancestors, bringing old family portraits to life with realistic motion.
- Smart Matches & Record Matches: Automatically compares your family tree against 60 million other trees and historical records, sending alerts for new discoveries and connections.
Use Cases
- Building and sharing a multi-generational family tree with relatives around the world
- Discovering ethnic origins and connecting with biological relatives through DNA testing
- Researching ancestors using billions of digitized historical records such as census data and vital records
- Animating and restoring old family photographs using the Deep Nostalgia™ AI feature
- Automatically finding new branches of a family tree through Smart Matches and Record Matches alerts
Pros
- Massive Genealogy Database: With 39.6 billion historical records and 60 million family trees, MyHeritage offers one of the largest genealogy data sources available.
- Integrated DNA Testing: Seamlessly combines family tree research with DNA ethnicity results and relative matching for a holistic ancestry experience.
- AI-Powered Photo Tools: Deep Nostalgia™ and photo enhancement features offer unique, emotionally engaging ways to connect with ancestors through imagery.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Available on web, iOS, Android, and desktop with full sync, allowing users to research their heritage anywhere, anytime.
Cons
- Premium Features Require Subscription: Many advanced features such as full record access and extended Smart Matches are locked behind a paid plan after the 14-day trial.
- Niche Focus: The platform is purpose-built for genealogy, making it less useful for users seeking general-purpose research or productivity tools.
- Record Availability Varies by Region: Historical record depth and accuracy can differ significantly depending on the country or region being researched.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MyHeritage?
MyHeritage is an online genealogy and family history platform that lets you build family trees, search billions of historical records, take DNA tests to discover your ethnicity, and animate old family photos using AI.
Is MyHeritage free to use?
MyHeritage offers a 14-day free trial with access to premium features. After the trial, a paid subscription is required to continue accessing the full record database and advanced tools. Basic family tree building remains available for free.
How does MyHeritage DNA testing work?
You order a DNA kit, provide a saliva sample, and send it back. MyHeritage analyzes your DNA and provides an ethnicity breakdown across 2,114 geographic regions, plus matches you with other users who share DNA segments.
What is Deep Nostalgia™?
Deep Nostalgia™ is an AI-powered feature that animates still photos of people — including old family portraits — creating short, realistic video clips that make ancestors appear to move and look around.
Can I import an existing family tree into MyHeritage?
Yes, MyHeritage supports importing family trees via the GEDCOM file format, the standard format used by most genealogy software, making it easy to migrate existing research to the platform.
