You can delete a name in Family Tree under these circumstances:
- The person is deceased; you created the profile; no other contributor has changed it.
- The profile is for a living person that you added to Family Tree.
The message "Why can't I delete this person?" means that you cannot delete the name. The message appears when another contributor edited the profile.
If you cannot delete a record, please do not remove information in order to hide it. Instead, contact FamilySearch Support.
If you find a profile that another changed in order to hide the record, please use the "Report Abuse" feature. An internal team can review the situation and take appropriate action.
When you delete a person, these changes occur:
- Family Tree removes any relationships to other individuals.
- No one can modify the profile.
- You can only search for the person by ID number.
Latest Changes allows you to restore a deleted profile or relationship.
- Sign in to FamilySearch, and click Family Tree. Then click Tree.
- Find the profile that you want to delete.
- Click the name. In the details that pop up, click the name again.
- Click the Details tab.
- On the right, find Tools.
- Click Delete Person. If Delete Person is grayed out, consider these alternatives:
- If the person never existed, contact FamilySearch Support.
- Delete relationships.
- Replace relationships.
- Merge duplicate records.
- Edit incorrect data.
- Add source information.
- Review the information in the Delete Person window.
- Provide a reason that you want to delete the profile.
- To indicate that you reviewed the relationships and included a reason statement, check the boxes.
- Click Delete.
- In the Family Tree mobile app, navigate to the Person page of the person whose record you want to delete.
- In the top right portion of the screen, tap the 3 dots.
- Android: Tap Delete Person.
- Apple iOS: Tap More, and then tap Delete Person.
- If you get a message that you cannot delete the profile, you can submit a request to FamilySearch Support.
- Review the information in the Delete Person window.
- Enter a reason statement.
- Tap Delete.
Family Tree Lite does not provide an option to delete a Family Tree profile.
How do I restore a deleted record for a person in Family Tree?
How does Family Tree protect the privacy of living people?
How do I merge possible duplicates in Family Tree?
How do I merge duplicates of living or confidential people that I added to Family Tree?