How to Cancel Ancestry+ in 2026 — Keep Your Family Tree Free

Updated March 3, 2026 • 7 min read

What Ancestry Costs (and Why You Might Not Need It)

• Ancestry+: $25/month or $199/year — U.S. records only
• World Explorer: $40/month or $329/year — international records
• All Access: $50/month or $449/year — everything including Newspapers.com and Fold3 military records

Most people sign up during a burst of genealogy enthusiasm, build their tree, then forget they're paying $25-50/month. If you haven't logged in for 30+ days, you're probably wasting money.

Before You Cancel: Save Your Research

1. Download important records: Save photos of birth certificates, census records, immigration documents, and military records to your computer. On the free tier, you can see thumbnails but can't access full records.
2. Export your GEDCOM file: Go to your tree → Settings → Export Tree → GEDCOM. This is the universal genealogy format that works with FamilySearch, MyHeritage, and other platforms.
3. Save DNA matches: Screenshot or note your top DNA matches and shared ancestors. DNA results remain accessible on the free tier, but some tools require a subscription.
4. Download your tree as PDF: Trees → Your Tree → Print → Family Group Sheets or Pedigree Charts

Step-by-Step Cancellation

1. Log in at ancestry.com
2. Click the gear icon (top right) → Account Settings
3. Click Subscription in the left sidebar
4. Click Cancel Subscription
5. Ancestry will show you what you'll lose — click Continue Cancellation
6. They'll offer a discount (typically 30-50% off) — decline if you're sure
7. They'll offer to pause instead of cancel — decline if you're sure
8. Confirm the cancellation

What You Keep on the Free Account

Free Alternatives to Ancestry

• FamilySearch.org: Completely free, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Billions of records. The best free genealogy platform.
• FindAGrave.com: Free cemetery and burial records (actually owned by Ancestry but free to use)
• Local libraries: Many public libraries offer free Ancestry Library Edition access — same records, $0 cost
• Archives.gov: Free access to federal census records, military records, immigration records
• State archives: Most states have free digital record collections online

Cancel by Phone (Alternative Method)

If the website is giving you trouble:

1. Call 1-800-262-3787
2. Say "cancel subscription"
3. Verify your identity
4. Decline retention offers
5. Request email confirmation of cancellation

Also Paying for Archives.com?

Archives.com is owned by Ancestry and often sold through TV advertisements. Many people unknowingly pay for both Ancestry and Archives.com — check your bank statement for both charges. Archives.com is $9.99/month and largely overlaps with Ancestry data.