Family Tree profiles get marked as confidential after a review by data administrators. The record then becomes visible only to the user who added it. The user who added it can then copy the informaton into a family group tree to share the information with others.
In Family Tree, you can identify a confidential profile because a banner appears near the top of the person page. The Vitals section shows whether the person is deceased or living.
Administrators mark profiles as confidential if the ability for the public to view the information could harm the contributor. We do not accept user requests to mark profiles as confidential.
In some instances, confidential profiles become public and visible to all tree users. This change occurs 150 years after the confidential person’s birth. If the record lacks a birth date, we make the change 150 years after the person’s death. Some confidential profiles remain confidential indefinitely.
If you need more help about this issue, please contact FamilySearch Support. For fastest response, prepare to provide this information:
- Ancestor's names.
- Birth and death information.
- Person identifier numbers from Family Tree.
- Your relationship to the deceased ancestor.
- Your username and helper number.
Related articles
Who can see the profiles of confidential people in Family Tree?
Can I merge duplicates of living and confidential people in Family Tree?
How do I request temple ordinances for a confidential person in Family Tree?
Can I share access to living and confidential people in Family Tree?