Know what FamilySearch offers
FamilySearch Family Tree is one shared, collaborative tree, so there is no personal "download my tree" button any more. FamilySearch itself says on its export page that GEDCOM export "is no longer supported using this resource" and points to the compatible family tree apps in its Solutions Gallery. What works today is a free desktop program that pulls your ancestors from FamilySearch and writes the GEDCOM file for you.
Option A (recommended): RootsMagic Essentials
RootsMagic Essentials is the free edition of RootsMagic for Windows and macOS and is FamilySearch-certified. Install it, then on the File page choose "Create a New RootsMagic file" › "Download from an Online Tree" › FamilySearch. Name the file, sign in to FamilySearch in the browser window that opens, pick "Me" (or an ancestor's FamilySearch ID) as the starting person, set the generations of ancestors (4 to 6 is plenty for a poster) and 0 to 1 generations of descendants, then click Import.
Export the GEDCOM file from RootsMagic
When the import says "Import Complete", go to the File page › "Export Data" › "GEDCOM File". Choose "Everyone", keep the default options and save the .ged file somewhere you can find it, for example the Desktop. A tree of four to six generations is usually well under 1 MB. RootsMagic also has its own guide on this page: rootsmagic.com/familysearch/download-tree.
Option B: another FamilySearch-compatible program
If you already use Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker or Ancestral Quest, you can sync or import your FamilySearch ancestors there and then use that program's GEDCOM export (see our Legacy and Family Tree Maker guides). Ancestris and Gramps (both free, open source) do not connect to FamilySearch directly, but they open the RootsMagic file from Option A if you want to tidy the data first.
Option C: type the family in
For a poster of three to four generations, the RootsOnPrint wizard is often faster than any export: open FamilySearch in one browser tab and enter the names and years from your pedigree view into the wizard in another. You don’t have to export or install anything.
Upload to RootsOnPrint
Your GEDCOM file is ready. Upload it at RootsOnPrint and design your poster there.
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Troubleshooting
RootsMagic asks me to sign in to FamilySearch?
That is expected: RootsMagic uses the official FamilySearch API and opens the FamilySearch sign-in page in your browser; the program itself never sees your password. RootsMagic is an independent product that is not affiliated with RootsOnPrint. Read its privacy policy before you connect your account.
Living relatives are missing from the download?
FamilySearch only shares living people you added yourself or have permission to see; everyone else's living relatives stay private and are not part of the import. Add them later in the RootsOnPrint wizard, or exclude them from the poster.
The import takes very long or stops?
Imports are slow on large requests. Keep the ancestor generations at 4–6 and descendants at 0–1, import into a new, empty RootsMagic file and do not close the window. If it does stop, start a new file with fewer generations.
I still have an old GEDCOM 7 file from FamilySearch?
The former FamilySearch export produced GEDCOM 7 files with up to eight generations. Upload it directly: RootsOnPrint reads GEDCOM 7.0 as well as 5.5.1.
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