As Ancestry.com is a dynamic site that frequently is updated to improve the experience of our users, it is important to clear your Temporary Internet Files (cache and cookies) regularly and allocate enough space for storing these files. If your cache is not cleared, you may not have the most up-to-date information from our site, such as if a temporary server error may have caused a page to load incorrectly. If you have insufficient space for your cache, issues such as freezing or extreme slowness may result. If your cookies are not removed regularly, old login information may be found on your computer, causing you to automatically log in with an account you no longer use.
Listed below are instructions for clearing and increasing your cache and deleting your cookie files. This article discusses the following:
Windows: Internet Explorer 9
Windows: Internet Explorer 10 & 11
Windows: Firefox 7+
Windows: Google Chrome
Mac: Firefox 7+
Mac: Safari 5.1.x
Mac: Safari 6.x
Mac: Google Chrome
Note: Deleting your cookie files will require that you manually log in again to regain access to your account.
Internet Explorer 9
Click on the Start button in the lower left corner of your Windows desktop.
In the search box just above the start button type in Internet options.
In the menu above look for and click on Internet Options.
4. Under the General tab of the Internet Options window look for the Browsing History section that has a clock with a green arrow. Click on Delete...and the Delete Browsing History window will appear.
5. The Delete Browsing History window will have a number of options that can have check marks in their boxes. The only options that should be checked are: Temporary Internet Files and Cookies.
6. Make sure the option to Preserve Favorites website data is unchecked.
7. Click on Delete at the bottom of the window.
8. The General tab will still be open. click on the Settings button in the Browsing History section. The Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window will appear.
9. Under Check for newer versions of stored pages select Every time I visit the web page.
10. Change the number in the Disk Space to Use field to be at least 300(MB)
11. Click OK to close the Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window.
12. Click OK again to close the Internet Options window.
13. Press the F5 key at the top of your keyboard to refresh your browser window.
Internet Explorer 10 & 11
Open up Internet Explorer and click on the Tools tab in the top left portion of the screen in the menu bar. Note: If you do not see the tools menu at the top of your browser press the Alt and then T keys on your keyboard to open up your tools menu).
Click on Internet options.
3. Under the General tab of the Internet Options window look for the Browsing History section. Click on Delete and the Delete Browsing History window will appear.
4. The Delete Browsing History window will have a number of options that can have check marks in their boxes. The only options that should be checked are: Temporary Internet Files and Cookies.
5. Make sure the option to Preserve Favorites website data is unchecked.
6. Click on Delete at the bottom of the window.
7. The General tab will still be open. Click on the Settings button in the Browsing History section. The Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window will appear.
8. Under Check for newer versions of stored pages select Every time I visit the web page.
9. Change the number in the Disk Space to Use field to be at least 300 (MB).
10. Click OK to close the Temporary Internet Files and History Settings window.
11. Click OK again to close the Internet Options window.
12. Press the F5 key at the top of your keyboard to refresh your browser window.
Firefox 7+
ith Firefox open, click on Tools in the top menu bar. Note: If the Tools menu is not located on your menu bar, you can alternately open it by pressing Alt and then T on the keyboard).
Click on Options.
3. The options window will open. Please select the Advanced category from the top of the window.
4. From the Advanced category, select the Network tab.
5. Click on the Clear Now button, and then click OK at the bottom of the window.
6. Click on the Tools menu again and click on Options.
7. Click on the Advanced category at the top of the Options window.
8. Click on the Network tab.
9. In the Cached Web Content area of the tab check the box to Override automatic cache and adjust the space for the cache limit to be 300 MB.
10. Click on the OK at the bottom to close the Options window.
11. Press the F5 key at the top of your keyboard to refresh your browser window.
Google Chrome
With Chrome open, click the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the browser window.
Choose History from the drop down list. This opens a new tab in Chrome.
3. In the upper left above your history list click the Clear all browsing data button.
4. The Clear Browsing Data window will open. Please select the beginning of time from the Obliterate drop down menu. The only boxes that should be checked are Empty the cache and Delete cookies.
5. Click the Clear Browsing Data button.
6. You can now close the Settings tab and History Tab.
7. Press the F5 key at the top of your keyboard to refresh your browser window.
Mac OSX
Firefox 7+
With Firefox open, click on Tools in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
Click on the Clear Recent History option.
3. The Clear Recent history window will open. Please select Everything from the Time range to clear drop down. Please click the Details button in the bottom left of this window. Now, with the check boxes showing, the only options that need to be checked are: Cookies and Cache.
4. Click on Clear Now.
5. Click on the Firefox menu at the top of your screen and select Preferences.
6. Click on the Advanced category at the top of the Options window.
7. Click on the Network tab.
8. In the Cached Web Content area of the tab check the box to Override automatic cache and adjust the space for the cache limit to be 300 MB.
9. Close this window by clicking the red circle in the upper left.
Safari 5.1.x
With Safari open, click on the Safari menu.
Click on the Reset Safari option.
3. The Reset Safari window will open. The only option you will need to select is Remove all website data.
4. Click on the Safari menu again and select Empty Cache.
5. On the confirmation screen click Empty.
Safari 6.x
With Safari open, click the Safari menu.
Select Preferences.
3. On the Preferences panel click the Advanced tab and make sure to place a check in the box for Show Develop menu in menu bar and close this window.
4. Click the Develop menu at the top of Safari and select Empty Caches.
Google Chrome
With Chrome open, click the wrench icon in the upper right corner of the browser window.
Click on History from the list. This opens a new tab in Chrome.
3. In the upper left above your history list click the Clear All Browsing Data button.
4. The Clear Browsing Data window will open. Please select the beginning of time from the Obliterate drop down menu. The only boxes that should be checked are Empty the cache and Delete cookies.
5. Click the Clear Browsing Data button.
6. You can now close the Settings tab and History Tab.