The fastest and easiest way to contribute your Family Tree Maker Family File is through the Family Tree Maker program. To begin, make sure that you've linked a browser to the Online toolbar button — most people do this when they install the program for the first time but you can do it anytime. (Learn how.)

How to contribute your tree:

1. The contribution process works best if you open your browser from within Family Tree Maker, so close your browser if it is already open.

2. Start Family Tree Maker if it is not already running.

3. Open the Family File you want to contribute to the World Family Tree Project.

4. From Family Tree Maker's File menu, select Contribute to World Family Tree.

5. Family Tree Maker will ask you if you want to contribute your tree online. Click Yes.

6. Family Tree Maker opens your browser. You may need to enter a password or other information to get online access, depending on your browser.

7. When your browser is ready, Family Tree Maker prompts you to read information about contributors' rights and responsibilities. Click Yes after reading this information carefully — this indicates that you agree with the terms presented.

8. Family Tree Maker then displays the Contributor Information dialog box where you must enter your name and address so we know who is sending us the tree. Click OK when you have finished entering your address information.

9. Family Tree Maker next displays the Copying to Disk wait box. Once it reaches 100%, there will be a pause. When Family Tree Maker displays the Uploading Family File wait box, the contribution process is in progress. Depending on Internet traffic, your modem speed, and your file size, this could take quite some time. If this dialog box does not appear within five minutes of clicking OK in the address dialog box, an error has occurred. In this case, close your browser and try contributing your file again later.

10. When the contribution is finished, Family Tree Maker will display a dialog box telling you the file has been successfully contributed and reminding you to close your browser to avoid unnecessary online charges. Click OK to close this dialog box and then ensure that your browser is closed.