Our story begins with you.

A deeper understanding of your heritage and family history sheds light on who you are and can strengthen your identity and sense of belonging. That’s why Ancestry® combines billions of rich historical records, millions of family trees and samples from millions of people in the AncestryDNA® network to help you discover your unique place in history and gain meaningful insights that can impact your future.

A legacy of trust.

Our customers have trusted us with personal information for many decades—and we’re committed to helping ensure you feel just as secure today. Whether it’s your family history or your DNA data, we always strive to manage your personal information with integrity and respect. Visit our Privacy Center to learn more about how we protect your privacy and keep it at the core of what we do every day.

Our History
1983

Ancestry Publishing is founded, publishing over 40 family history magazine titles and genealogy reference books.

1983

Ancestry Publishing is founded, publishing over 40 family history magazine titles and genealogy reference books.

1990

As genealogists begin to use personal computers to organize their trees, family history software grows as publications move towards floppy disks.

1990

As genealogists begin to use personal computers to organize their trees, family history software grows as publications move towards floppy disks.

1996

Ancestry Publishing launches Ancestry.com paving the way for online family history.

1996

Ancestry Publishing launches Ancestry.com paving the way for online family history.

1997

Ancestry.com offers family history information on CD-ROM to help people grow their family trees.

1997

Ancestry.com offers family history information on CD-ROM to help people grow their family trees.

2000

Ancestry launches the first census images, and completes the 1930 census in 2003.

2000

Ancestry launches the first census images, and completes the 1930 census in 2003.

2001

Ancestry reaches the one billion record milestone.

2001

Ancestry reaches the one billion record milestone.

2001

Ancestry.co.uk debuts, starting the company’s international expansion.

2001

Ancestry.co.uk debuts, starting the company’s international expansion.

2006

Australian, Canadian, and German sites are introduced.

2006

Australian, Canadian, and German sites are introduced.

2006

New customer-centric collaboration innovations are added to the product, including the iconic shaky leaf hints and Ancestry Member Trees.

2006

New customer-centric collaboration innovations are added to the product, including the iconic shaky leaf hints and Ancestry Member Trees.

2007

More sites are added for international customers, including French, Italian, Swedish, and Chinese.

2007

More sites are added for international customers, including French, Italian, Swedish, and Chinese.

2009

Ancestry reaches the one million subscribers mark and debuts on the NASDAQ.

2009

Ancestry reaches the one million subscribers mark and debuts on the NASDAQ.

2010

The first season of the U.S. series Who Do You Think You Are? launches. The show’s success leads to additional seasons and becomes the first of many new TV partnerships for the Ancestry brand.

2010

The first season of the U.S. series Who Do You Think You Are? launches. The show’s success leads to additional seasons and becomes the first of many new TV partnerships for the Ancestry brand.

2010

Ancestry acquires ProGenealogists to bring premier family history research by the highest level of professional genealogists to its customers.

2010

Ancestry acquires ProGenealogists to bring premier family history research by the highest level of professional genealogists to its customers.

2011

The first Ancestry app for iPad and iPhone is unveiled, reaching one million downloads within a few months and garnering numerous industry awards.

2011

The first Ancestry app for iPad and iPhone is unveiled, reaching one million downloads within a few months and garnering numerous industry awards.

2012

Ancestry hits the two million subscriber mark and is the first site to offer 134 million searchable images of the 1940 U.S. census.

2012

Ancestry hits the two million subscriber mark and is the first site to offer 134 million searchable images of the 1940 U.S. census.

2012

New autosomal AncestryDNA is launched, testing the human genome at 700,000 markers to offer users insight into their ethnicity.

2012

New autosomal AncestryDNA is launched, testing the human genome at 700,000 markers to offer users insight into their ethnicity.

2013

Ancestry announces an exclusive agreement with FamilySearch to digitize one billion records from its mountain vault.

2013

Ancestry announces an exclusive agreement with FamilySearch to digitize one billion records from its mountain vault.

2015

Ancestry launches new features like LifeStory and Historical Insights that transform how customers discover and tell family stories.

2015

Ancestry launches new features like LifeStory and Historical Insights that transform how customers discover and tell family stories.

2015

Ancestry releases an exclusive collection of U.S. Wills and Probate records.

2015

Ancestry releases an exclusive collection of U.S. Wills and Probate records.

2015

A new record-setting milestone—one million people tested via AncestryDNA—is achieved.

2015

A new record-setting milestone—one million people tested via AncestryDNA—is achieved.

2018

AncestryDNA has over 10 million people in its consumer DNA network, making it the largest in the world.

2018

AncestryDNA has over 10 million people in its consumer DNA network, making it the largest in the world.

2019

AncestryDNA reaches a new milestone with over 15 million people in its DNA network.

2019

AncestryDNA reaches a new milestone with over 15 million people in its DNA network.

2019

Ancestry® Debuts the World’s Largest Digital Archive of Searchable Online Obituaries and Death Announcements, Powered by Cutting-Edge Artificial Intelligence.

2019

Ancestry® Debuts the World’s Largest Digital Archive of Searchable Online Obituaries and Death Announcements, Powered by Cutting-Edge Artificial Intelligence.

2019

Ancestry launches ThruLines™, which illustrates how you may be connected to your DNA matches through a common ancestor, and gives you a clear view of how you're likely related.

2019

Ancestry launches ThruLines™, which illustrates how you may be connected to your DNA matches through a common ancestor, and gives you a clear view of how you're likely related.

2020

Ancestry reaches over 3.5 million subscribers and 27 billion records.

2020

Ancestry reaches over 3.5 million subscribers and 27 billion records.

2021

AncestryDNA reaches a new milestone with over 20 million people in its DNA network.

2021

AncestryDNA reaches a new milestone with over 20 million people in its DNA network.

2021

Ancestry hits over 30 billion records in its online database. 

2021

Ancestry hits over 30 billion records in its online database. 

2022

AncestryDNA expands to new global markets in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa making AncestryDNA available in more than 80 markets on five continents.

2022

AncestryDNA expands to new global markets in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa making AncestryDNA available in more than 80 markets on five continents.

Previous chapter Next chapter
1983

Ancestry Publishing is founded, publishing over 40 family history magazine titles and genealogy reference books.

1983

Ancestry Publishing is founded, publishing over 40 family history magazine titles and genealogy reference books.

1990

As genealogists begin to use personal computers to organize their trees, family history software grows as publications move towards floppy disks.

1990

As genealogists begin to use personal computers to organize their trees, family history software grows as publications move towards floppy disks.

1996

Ancestry Publishing launches Ancestry.com paving the way for online family history.

1996

Ancestry Publishing launches Ancestry.com paving the way for online family history.

1997

Ancestry.com offers family history information on CD-ROM to help people grow their family trees.

1997

Ancestry.com offers family history information on CD-ROM to help people grow their family trees.

See the next chapter
Join our Global Family.

We're passionate about using technology to create experiences that enrich lives and connect families.