About
WikiTree is a collaborative genealogy platform that has been growing for 17 years, bringing together casual family historians and advanced genealogists to build one shared, accurate global family tree. With over 1,343,426 registered members and 45,072,730 profiles spanning ancestors and cousins worldwide, WikiTree is one of the largest and most trusted genealogical databases available online. The platform integrates DNA testing with traditional research, boasting over 16 million profiles with verified DNA connections — enabling users to discover biological relatives and confirm family lineages with scientific evidence. Users can add profiles, link sources, collaborate with other researchers, and participate in the active G2G community forum for help and discussion. WikiTree is entirely free to use, sustained by unobtrusive advertising. Members who sign the Honor Code — committing to accuracy and collaboration — enjoy an ad-reduced experience and additional member benefits. The platform supports research into diverse genealogical backgrounds, including African American ancestry and enslaved ancestors, making it an inclusive resource for all. WikiTree is ideal for anyone who wants their research preserved and accessible to future generations, long after they're gone.
Key Features
- Collaborative Global Family Tree: Over 1.3 million community members work together on a single shared tree, ensuring accuracy through peer review and sourced genealogical data.
- DNA Integration: More than 16 million profiles are linked with DNA test results, allowing users to verify biological connections and discover relatives scientifically.
- Free Forever Model: All features are available at no cost to any user, with expenses covered by minimal advertising. No paywalls or profile limits.
- G2G Community Forum: An active community forum where members ask questions, verify connections, share research tips, and collaborate on difficult genealogical puzzles.
- Honor Code Membership: Members who sign the Honor Code commit to accuracy and collaboration, unlocking an ad-reduced experience and additional platform benefits.
Use Cases
- Building and expanding a personal family tree using a collaborative, crowd-sourced platform at no cost.
- Connecting DNA test results to genealogical profiles to verify biological family relationships.
- Researching and documenting the histories of enslaved ancestors and underrepresented family lineages.
- Collaborating with distant cousins and fellow researchers to fill in gaps in shared family histories.
- Preserving family heritage permanently so that future generations can discover and explore their ancestry.
Pros
- Completely Free: Unlike most genealogy platforms, WikiTree imposes no fees, subscription tiers, or profile limits — everything is free for everyone, forever.
- Massive, Trusted Community: With 1.3+ million members and 45+ million profiles, the collaborative model leads to higher accuracy and broader coverage than solo research.
- DNA-Backed Connections: Integration of DNA test results with over 16 million profiles provides scientific validation for family connections.
- Long-Term Preservation: Research is preserved on the platform indefinitely, ensuring family histories remain accessible to future generations.
Cons
- Ad-Supported Interface: Non-Honor Code members see advertisements throughout the platform, which can affect the browsing experience.
- Collaborative Edits Can Introduce Errors: Because any member can edit profiles, some entries may contain inaccuracies that require community review and correction.
- Limited AI or Automation Features: WikiTree relies heavily on manual human research and community input rather than AI-powered record matching or automated discovery tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WikiTree really free?
Yes. Everything on WikiTree is free for all users, forever. The platform is supported by unobtrusive advertisements, and members who sign the Honor Code see fewer ads while enjoying additional benefits.
How does DNA integration work on WikiTree?
Users can link their DNA test results (from services like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, etc.) to their WikiTree profiles. Over 16 million profiles currently have DNA connections, enabling biological verification of family relationships.
What is the WikiTree Honor Code?
The Honor Code is a pledge that members can sign committing to accuracy, collaboration, and privacy on the platform. Signing it reduces the ads you see and grants access to member-only benefits.
How many profiles are on WikiTree?
As of the latest data, WikiTree hosts over 45 million profiles representing ancestors and cousins from around the world, contributed by more than 1.3 million community members.
Can I collaborate with other researchers on the same family tree?
Yes. WikiTree's core model is collaboration — multiple researchers can work on the same profiles, add sources, discuss discrepancies, and help verify connections through the G2G community forum.
