Table of Contents

    How to Cancel ancestry

    The Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Cancelling an ancestry Subscription or Membership (ancestry.ca)
    By
    Bella K.
    Angelique. P
    |
    Published
    July 1, 2025
    |
    Updated
    July 1, 2025
    Ancestry.ca helps you explore your family history by giving access to millions of records like census data, birth, marriage, and death certificates from Canada and around the world. They offer subscription plans starting around CA$14.99 per month, which you can pay monthly or for longer upfront periods. By subscribing, you get to search and build your family tree with detailed records and other tools. If you see charges from Ancestry, it's likely because of an active subscription or membership plan you signed up for to use their services.

    Difficulty

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    Canceling an Ancestry subscription is relatively straightforward by logging into the user's account settings and canceling the membership directly online. The process requires minimal steps and can be done quickly but is not instantaneous as it involves navigating account menus and confirming cancellation, hence not the easiest possible.

    Estimated Time

    On average, it takes 00 00 minutes to cancel a Spotify subscription.

    How to Cancel ancestry: Step by Step

    If you purchased through Ancestry.ca:

    1. Log into your Ancestry account.
    2. Click on your profile name in the top right corner.
    3. Select Account Settings from the dropdown menu.
    4. In the Membership section, find your active subscription.
    5. Click on Cancel next to your subscription.
    6. Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.

    If you purchased through the Ancestry app:

    1. Open the Ancestry app on your device.
    2. Tap on your profile icon.
    3. Select Account Settings.
    4. Tap on Membership and then find your subscription.
    5. Tap on Cancel and follow the prompts to confirm cancellation.

    If you purchased through Apple (App Store):

    1. Open the Settings app on your device.
    2. Select your name at the top, then tap Subscriptions.
    3. Find and select your Ancestry subscription.
    4. Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm your choice.

    If you purchased through Google Play:

    1. Open the Google Play Store app.
    2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Subscriptions.
    3. Find your Ancestry subscription and select it.
    4. Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm your choice.

    If you purchased through your mobile carrier:

    1. Contact your mobile service provider directly.
    2. Request to cancel your Ancestry subscription through them.

    Tips & Tricks for Canceling ancestry

    • Attempt cancellation immediately after subscribing to maximize chances of a refund for unused days before the renewal.
    • Call Ancestry customer support directly at 1-800-958-9073 if online cancellation options fail or are confusing, as phone support often provides a direct resolution.
    • Check if subscription was paid through third-party services like PayPal or Apple, and cancel through those platforms to effectively stop charges.
    • Use a PC instead of mobile devices to cancel subscription as some users report the website works more reliably on desktop browsers.
    • Cancel at least two days before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next billing period; setting calendar reminders helps.
    • Utilize the 'pause membership' feature if available, as a temporary workaround to stopping billing without losing account data immediately.
    • After cancellation, expect follow-up discount offers via email or phone to entice you to resubscribe; use this to negotiate or delay renewal.
    • If unauthorized charges occur after cancellation, consider disputing through your credit card company as a last resort, or cancel the card to stop future billing.
    • Be aware of free trial periods auto-renewing to paid subscriptions and cancel within the trial window to avoid charges.
    • When canceling, use clear, firm language such as "I am requesting to cancel my membership effective immediately" and confirm cancellation confirmation details.
    • For longer subscriptions like 6-month plans, cancel early and request a refund for unused time, then re-subscribe if desired to get better deals or pricing.

    ancestry Customer Service Info

    If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with ancestry's support team.
    Get help cancelling subscriptions
    Thank you! Your submission has been received!
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    “This app saved me $127 in minutes”

    Cancel ancestry Script

    Script
    Copy
    Dear Ancestry Customer Service,
    I hope this message finds you well. I would like to request the cancellation of my Ancestry subscription. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to continue the service due to personal reasons. I appreciate all the resources and support I've received during my membership. Please confirm the cancellation at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your assistance.
    Best regards,

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is ancestry's Cancellation Policy?

    Ancestry subscriptions can be canceled anytime by logging into your Account Settings or contacting Ancestry. For subscriptions longer than a month paid upfront, cancelling before the end of the term retains access but does not provide a refund, except within the first 14 days of the initial term where a full refund or delayed cancellation is possible. Monthly subscriptions can be canceled up to two business days before renewal but are generally non-refundable. Cancellation fees may apply depending on subscription length and region. After renewal, subscriptions are non-refundable and automatically renew unless canceled in advance.

    Do I Need My ancestry Password to Cancel?

    To cancel your subscription on Ancestry.ca, you need to sign in to your account first, which requires your password. This means you must have access to your password or reset it if you have forgotten it. You can reset your password at this link: https://www.ancestry.com/account/reset-password. There is no indication that phone or chat support can cancel the subscription without signing in.

    Why Do People Cancel ancestry?

    • Ongoing website issues making the service unusable for extended periods.
    • Login problems preventing access to the account at crucial times.
    • Lack of value for money despite spending a significant amount on DNA kits and extras.
    • Inconvenient cancellation policies, such as the need to call the day before the subscription ends to receive offers.
    • Inability to correct false information or remove incorrect ancestors from family trees.
    • Propagation of inaccurate data due to the crowdsourcing model linking shared family tree data across accounts.
    • High subscription cost making alternatives more attractive after dissatisfaction sets in.

    Can I Cancel ancestry at Any Time?

    Be aware that if you cancel an Ancestry.ca subscription before the end of a prepaid subscription term, you may be charged a cancellation fee of up to 25 CAD or the remaining subscription cost. Monthly subscriptions can be canceled anytime before two business days prior to renewal but generally are not eligible for refunds once renewed. Also, if you don't cancel on time, the subscription auto-renews, and refunds are not granted after renewal, which can be a costly surprise if you miss the cancellation window.

    What Should I Know Before Cancelling ancestry?

    Before cancelling your Ancestry subscription, it's important to know that while your family tree and saved information will remain intact, you will lose access to certain features. You will no longer be able to view actual record images, only transcribed data, and you cannot view pictures of records without a subscription. Additionally, you will lose the ability to view other people's trees and some DNA features like match details and color-coded groups. Your data, including your tree and DNA data, remains saved, but if you delete your DNA data, you cannot reactivate it. When you restart your subscription, you typically regain access to all features as before.

    What Information Do I Need to Cancel ancestry?

    • Your Ancestry.ca account login credentials (email and password)
    • Access to the Account Settings or Membership page within your account
    • Knowledge of which subscription or membership you want to cancel (if you have multiple)
    • Order number (required if you are canceling by phone; found in your order confirmation email)
    • Certain billing and personal details if contacting customer support to verify your identity
    • Confirmation number or confirmation email (to verify cancellation was completed)

    Can I Get a Refund from ancestry?

    We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from ancestry. Check it out!

    The Easiest Way to Cancel ancestry

    If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from ancestry—or if you didn’t even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we’ll take care of the rest.

    Start reclaiming your money today with Chargeback

    What Are Some Alternatives to ancestry?

    Get help cancelling subscriptions
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    “This app saved me $127 in minutes”
    ancestry May Show Up On Your Statement As:
    PAYPAL INST XFER GOOGLE ANCESTRY WEB ID: PAYPALSI7, ANC*ANCESTRY.CO 123 MAIN St

    Editorial Note: These articles reflect the opinions of Chargeback's writers. Everyone's situation is unique; therefore, it is important to conduct your own research and note that our self-help tools are not guaranteed to help with any specific problem.