Ancestry Media Download

Download media content from Ancestry.

What is Ancestry Media Download?

Ancestry Media Download is a valuable tool for users seeking to back up their extensive data from Ancestry.com. This Chrome extension is designed to automate the process of screen scraping media files from the site, offering an efficient solution to the limitations of the GEDCOM file download method. Note that this tool does not work on Mac due to specific handling of middle mouse button clicks. The extension's evolution through multiple versions exhibits continuous improvement and adaptation to changes, including Ancestry's site updates and addition of support for different domain extensions.

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Extension stats

By: Jereme Guenther

View on Chrome Web Store

Users: 2,000+

Rating: 4.17 (24)

Version: 0.140 (Last updated: 2023-06-06)

Creation date: 2019-11-16

Risk impact: Moderate risk impact

Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood

Manifest version: 2

Permissions:

https://www.ancestry.com/*
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/*
https://www.ancestry.ca/*
https://www.ancestry.com.au/*
https://mediasvc.ancestry.com/*

Size: 115.71K

Email: ha*****@gmail.com

Ranking

# 19518 ▲ 632

Other rankings

#24955 in Workflow & Planning ▼ 12 #36 in media keyword 16 ▼ 1 #65 in download keyword 76 ▼ 2

Other platforms

Not available on Firefox

Not available on Edge

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Extension summary

Analyze keywords

Ancestry.com has never created a good system to back up the data that is on their site. The only option people have is to download the GEDCOM file, which is often a mere fraction of the data they have invested in the site.

This extension allows you to screen scrape your media files in an automated fashion. You should clear all files out of your default downloads folder before using this extension so you know that all downloaded files belong to Ancestry.

This extension does not work on MACs due to the way MACs handle clicking the middle mouse button. Follow the support site if you wish to assist in finding a solution to this problem.

Change History: v 0.141 re-written to work with updated Ancestry site, added some new directions v 0.134 first attempt at fixing Mac bug v 0.132 fix restart bug, fix missing downloads bug v 0.131 add support for .com.au v 0.130 fix after Ancestry re-designed their image hosting v 0.123 attempt 2 to allow .co.uk and add support for .ca v 0.122 attempt to allow .co.uk v 0.12 first package

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.

Pros

Saves a lot of time by automating downloads
Works well on the Stories and Photos tabs on Ancestry.com
Preserves original filenames of downloaded files
Helps in transitioning to offline genealogy programs
Can process a large number of files quickly

Cons

Some users found it didn't work for them
The extension might not be compatible with all operating systems
Requires manual intervention to save each downloaded file on some systems
The extension may be blocked by Ancestry.com
Takes over the browser and disallows multi-tasking while downloading

Most mentioned

Speed and efficiency of the extension
Extension's incompatibility with All Media tab on Ancestry.com
Extension's utility in saving files for offline use
The need to manually save each downloaded file on some systems
The gratitude expressed towards the developers for creating a helpful tool

Recent reviews

It is an initial impression abnd willing to upgrade my rating. The extension says it downloading media but I cant find the file anywhere. I have my default folder set correctly. I really want this to work!

Michelle Hynes, 2022-06-04

I wish it worked for me. Can't figure out why it doesn't. Put the extension on Chrome - didn't work. Removed it and tried again, followed instructions, nothing happens. Frustrating.

Randi DuFresne, 2022-05-28

Chrome, PC, March 2022. You MUST be on the Photos or Stories tab (not All Media) for this extension to work. It worked a treat and all my media has been downloaded. Thank you Jereme for this great contribution to geneology.