Jewish family memory
Public genealogy website vs private family archive
A public genealogy project helps people discover and exchange research. A private family archive serves an explicitly chosen audience. Decide which material belongs in each context before contributing it.
By Pinkas · Updated September 28, 2026
Public discovery can be useful
A documented deceased ancestor or historical place can help other researchers find a connection. Read the site's visibility and contribution rules and check rights before uploading a third-party record.
Private material needs its own decision
An interview may discuss living people who did not consent to publication. A family photograph may be welcome in an invited group but inappropriate for public search. Ask about the intended audience item by item.
Privacy settings differ within services
Do not assume a genealogy service makes every tree public. Ancestry and MyHeritage describe privacy choices, while FamilySearch distinguishes its shared deceased-person tree from living-person information. Consult the individual comparisons for primary sources.