# GetMyAncestors : a standalone tool to export FamilySearch ancestors **URL:** \ **Category:** Help\ **Tags:** familysearch\ **Created:** [December 4, 2021, 12:14am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011 "2021-12-04T00:14:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 12:14am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/1 "2021-12-04T00:14:20Z")
Has anyone had the chance to try the [GetMyAncestors](https://github.com/Linekio/getmyancestors/blob/master/README.md) Python tool? It downloads as a GEDCOM but supposedly fully sourced. ---
**Author:** ![Wildkat](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/wildkat/32/1143_2.png) [@Wildkat](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/Wildkat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/2 "2021-12-04T15:09:37Z")
> [@GetMyAncestors : a standalone tool to export FamilySearch ancestors](#): > > [GetMyAncestors](https://github.com/Linekio/getmyancestors/blob/master/README.md) I see how to download this for Linux but I have switched back to Windows (long story), is there a way to download it for windows? ---
**Author:** ![DaveSch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/davesch/32/40_2.png) [@DaveSch](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/DaveSch)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/3 "2021-12-04T16:20:20Z")
Go to its GitHub code page and download the zip file. Then all you need to do is extract the folder from within the zip file and put it into your Gramps user plugin folder. `gramps\gramps51\plugins` ---
**Author:** ![Wildkat](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/wildkat/32/1143_2.png) [@Wildkat](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/Wildkat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/4 "2021-12-04T16:21:56Z")
thank you! I appreciate your time! ---
**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/5 "2021-12-04T16:53:34Z")
**GetMyAncestors** isn’t a Gramps add-on. Rather it is a standalone Python tool. Is the `gramps\gramps51\plugins` folder the right place to install it? It is meant to be started from the command line. (Although there is a GUI option.) Maybe it could be run from the [Python Shell](https://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php/Python_Shell_Gramplet) Gramplet? ---
**Author:** ![StoltHD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/db5fbb/32.png) [@StoltHD](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/StoltHD)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/6 "2021-12-04T17:52:17Z")
It can be installed with PIP, you need to install Python for Windows, and then open a cmd or ps windows, and run the pip installation command mentioned on the page. To run it, you need to run from a cmd or ps windows with the parameters you need, like the examples on the same page… Running Python apps/scripts on Windows isn’t any different than on Linux (or it is so minor differences that it actually doesn’t matter. You can install Python either in “user mode” or as administrator, I never install it as “user” because of the problems I have got when trying to run python apps that needs elevated privileges, so I always install Python for “everyone”, e.g. running the setup as “administrator” and selecting install for “everyone”. You can also install Anaconda on Windows if you like that environment better, Anaconda runs well from other HDD/SDD than system (C:). ---
**Author:** ![DaveSch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/davesch/32/40_2.png) [@DaveSch](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/DaveSch)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/7 "2021-12-04T19:55:08Z")
Sorry. I should have looked at the code files. I just assumed it was designed to be a plugin for Gramps and we all know about people that _ass_ume. You do need to install Python and install the folder in the Python Scripts folder then follow @StoltHD 's post. ---
**Author:** ![StoltHD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/db5fbb/32.png) [@StoltHD](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/StoltHD)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/8 "2021-12-04T20:06:41Z")
No reason to apologize… Not everyone that knows that Python and Conda runs on Windows natively… I wrote most of it so other people that is curious could see that it wasn’t a Gramps tool… ---
**Author:** ![Wildkat](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/wildkat/32/1143_2.png) [@Wildkat](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/Wildkat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/9 "2021-12-04T21:21:35Z")
I installed python but cannot figure out where the darn folder is! I wish this type of thing wasn’t such a struggle for me! never mind, I found it ---
**Author:** ![Wildkat](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/wildkat/32/1143_2.png) [@Wildkat](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/Wildkat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 9:51pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/10 "2021-12-04T21:51:42Z")
well, apparently I am just not smart enough to do this! I’ve tried what you all have told me. Done multiple internet searches and can’t get anywhere. I used to be good at this sort of thing but tech has just past me by so much that I am lost with the most simple sounding things. I can get to the file through the command line or by right clicking and open with python but nothing happens. I know I am doing something wrong, but I have no idea what it is. If anyone has time to help me understand what I am doing wrong, I would be forever grateful. ---
**Author:** ![Wildkat](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/wildkat/32/1143_2.png) [@Wildkat](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/Wildkat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/11 "2021-12-04T22:13:42Z")
Perhaps I am trying the wrong file? which of the many files is that actual install file? ---
**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/12 "2021-12-04T23:11:52Z")
It took a lot of iterations before the Gramps install and use became useable by mere mortals. We’ll have to be prepared to endure a bit of torture to evolve the install & access to this tool to such a point. I’d expect a couple weeks of experimenting… spread out so much to allow for getting your fingers burnt and a bit of recovery time. _Remember, **never** import a foreign format into your main Tree. Import into in a fresh, blank Tree and defuse all the IEDs. It is easier to replace a “blowed up” sapling tree than a mature one._ _Then import the defanged backup (in .gramps or .gpkg format) into your primary Tree._ ---
**Author:** ![Wildkat](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/wildkat/32/1143_2.png) [@Wildkat](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/Wildkat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/13 "2021-12-04T23:15:04Z")
I agree with all of that, but I can not get this stand alone program to even open, so no worries about messing up my tree. I may be able to figure it out eventually ---
**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/14 "2021-12-04T23:22:50Z")
I’ve put in an [inquiry in their issue tracker](https://github.com/Linekio/getmyancestors/issues/40#issue-1071254489) too. I may do some experimenting with installing & command line access under Windoze. But I cannot afford the bandwidth to do lots of downloading tests. I’d hit my data-cap. (Yikes! I’ve already used 3/4 of this cycle’s allocation while only 1/2 thru!) ---
**Author:** ![DaveSch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/davesch/32/40_2.png) [@DaveSch](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/DaveSch)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 12:15am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/15 "2021-12-05T00:15:25Z")
You put the entire folder with all the GetMyAncestors files in the `Python39\Scripts` folder. Then you open the Windows PowerShell window and run `pip install getmyancestors`. This will create the application files in the Scripts folder. The ReadMe file has all the command lines that you will actually run from the PowerShell. I have not taken it past creating all the application files. Have not experimented actually trying to download information. ---
**Author:** ![Patsyblefebre](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/patsyblefebre/32/1315_2.png) [@Patsyblefebre](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/Patsyblefebre)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 12:20am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/16 "2021-12-05T00:20:07Z")
The other day I mentioned the following > [@Non-GEDCOM import from Ancestry](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/non-gedcom-import-from-ancestry/1999/4): > > You could always try modifing the unreleased [Addon:GeneanetForGramps](https://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php/Addon:GeneanetForGramps) to also support [ancestry.com](http://ancestry.com) as it already web-scraps? It would be great if GetMyAncestors could be made part of a single addon with a drop down list for each of the websites you want to import from directly into Gramps! ---
**Author:** ![DaveSch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/davesch/32/40_2.png) [@DaveSch](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/DaveSch)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/17 "2021-12-05T00:41:42Z")
Did a test. You can take the `fstogedcom` file and make a shortcut file on your desktop (or anywhere). Running this file runs using a GUI window. It will ask you to log into FamilySearch. The program adds you to the download list which you will want to delete. Then you add the Center Person by their FamilySearch ID and how many generations and what to download. Within 1.5 minutes I had a GEDCOM with 790 people as a test. **DO NOT** Import directly into your database.It would probably be best to download a single family or 1 generation up or down. It would take a lot of _Cleaning_ to bring it into your main tree. ---
**Author:** ![Wildkat](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/wildkat/32/1143_2.png) [@Wildkat](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/Wildkat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 1:04am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/18 "2021-12-05T01:04:59Z")
THANK YOU!!! working now! ---
**Author:** ![StoltHD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/db5fbb/32.png) [@StoltHD](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/StoltHD)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 10:52am UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/19 "2021-12-05T10:52:01Z")
> [@Wildkat](#): > > I installed python but cannot figure out where the darn folder is! I wish this type of thing wasn’t such a struggle for me! > > never mind, I found it You shouldn’t need to know where the folder is, running Python on Windows… You don’t need to download any folders, just run pip (or pip3) install from powershell or cmd window… ```from Installation The easiest way to install getmyancestors is to use pip: pip install getmyancestors ``` ```python from pypi.org: https://pypi.org/project/getmyancestors/ ``` If you run Python 3.10 it might be that you need to upgrade babelfish to 0.6.0 to get it running… You will get a warning, but it seems that it works. * * * I am running a “stupid” download of data now… * * * I set 30 generations for both settings, and used myself as starting individ (just for fun of it). will post the statistics when its finished… * * * - _“I think those of you that want to try this should be careful with the setting, specially the Descendants generations… It can be a lot of “items” to download for those of you that have a lot of relations…”_ _**EDIT (after 400-500 minutes):**_ it did not complete, Python Error read chunk … but here is the statistic from when it stopped (ex. timer, that still runs)… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/gramps/original/2X/d/d0163eee08ba188786e2588e83cf63bb3302ef2d.png) ---
**Author:** ![emyoulation](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/gramps.discourse.group/emyoulation/32/67_2.png) [@emyoulation](https://gramps.discourse.group/u/emyoulation)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011/20 "2021-12-05T15:36:02Z")
Cross-posting from the XML thread: > [@How to generate a Gramps xml file outside of Gramps?](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/how-to-generate-a-gramps-xml-file-outside-of-gramps/2013/8): > > In the specific case of GetMyAncestors, a plumber’s nightmare Gramplet could create a wrapper for an un-forked GetMyAncestors. The Gramplet installer could include the entire External tool & dependencies. (To eliminate the installation woes.) It would require layering a GUI on top of their CLI functionality and some double-piping for the data. (Their GEDCOM output into a cache folder, which is sucked in through a preconfigured GEDCOM import) > > Plumber’s Nightmares have a tendency to back up and spill sewage everywhere. So you’d want to run it with a blank Tree and then import the resulting `.gramps` into your main Tree. (So a bucket brigade along with that double-piping.) [Next page](https://gramps.discourse.group/t/getmyancestors-a-standalone-tool-to-export-familysearch-ancestors/2011.md?page=2)