My ancestor in Family Tree is connected to the same parent twice

Article Id: 992
August 14, 2023

Learn about duplicate relationships in Family Tree between a child and a parent. To correct the error, delete the duplicate relationship.

In most cases, the correct relationship is the relationship that includes the names of both parents. The duplicate relationship, by contrast, often names only one parent. The other parent is labeled "unknown." Delete the relationship.

Before you start

When working with parent-child relationships, it can be helpful to write down the names, ID numbers, and relationships of the ancestors involved. Remember that you can use the list of recent changes to undo changes if you make a mistake.

Steps (website)

  1. In the top menu, click Family Tree, and then click Tree.
  2. Find the child with the duplicate relationship.
  3. Click the person's name. In the details that pop up, click the person's name again.
  4. Click the Details tab.
  5. Scroll to the Family Members section. Find the child under the parent with an unknown spouse. 
  6. Click the Edit icon .
  7. Underneath the child's name, click Remove or Replace.
  8. To indicate that you reviewed the relationships, sources, and notes for the individuals, click the check box.
  9. Click Remove Parents.
  10. Explain why, and then click Remove.
  11. Refresh the page. You no longer see the child and the single parent.​

Steps (mobile app)

  1. In the Family Tree mobile app, navigate to the Person page of the child with the duplicate relationship.
  2. Tap the Parents tab.
  3. Find the child's name, and tap the edit icon.
  4. Tap the duplicate parent.
  5. Tap Remove parent or Remove or Replace parent.
  6. Tap to confirm that you have reviewed the relationships, sources, and notes for these individuals, and tap Remove.
  7. Explain why, and then tap Remove again.
  8. When the process completes, you no longer see the child with the single parent.​

Steps (Family Tree Lite)

  1. While signed in to Family Tree Lite, navigate to the Person page of the child with the incorrect parents.
  2. Under the individual's name, click View Family.
  3. Under Parents and Siblings, find the child's name, and click the Edit icon.
  4. To remove both parents, click Remove or Replace next to the child.
  5. Check to confirm that you have reviewed the relationships, sources, and notes for these individuals, and click Remove.
  6. Explain why, and then click Remove.
  7. Refresh the page. You no longer see the child and the single parent.​

How do I correct parent-child relationships in Family Tree?
How do I see what changes were made about a person in Family Tree?
The same child shows more than once in a family in Family Tree

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