# Split tree into one tree for paternal side and one tree for maternal side

**URL:** <https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/split-tree-into-one-tree-for-paternal-side-and-one-tree-for-maternal-side/9794>\
**Category:** RootsMagic\
**Tags:** question, rootsmagic\
**Created:** [January 24, 2024, 1:06am UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/split-tree-into-one-tree-for-paternal-side-and-one-tree-for-maternal-side/9794 "2024-01-24T01:06:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cajun1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cajun1977](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/Cajun1977)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 1:06am UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/split-tree-into-one-tree-for-paternal-side-and-one-tree-for-maternal-side/9794/1 "2024-01-24T01:06:56Z")

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Hi, I’m new to using RootsMagic and RootsMagic 9. I’m not sure if this has been asked, but is there a way to split my tree into one tree for my maternal side and another tree for my paternal side? And, if so, how would I go about doing this?

I don’t know anything about my father’s side of the family because I never met him or anyone from that side. I’d like to work on my mom’s side of the family only.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![MadDog](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.rootsmagic.com/maddog/32/313_2.png) [@MadDog](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/MadDog)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 4:22am UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/split-tree-into-one-tree-for-paternal-side-and-one-tree-for-maternal-side/9794/2 "2024-01-24T04:22:17Z")

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Open your main database. Then go to File\>Create New database\>Empty file. Select where you want to save it and give it a name. Now you will have 2 databases open. In the main one, highlight your father and drag him to the new database. A menu will pop up and you can select Ancestors & their descendants. Those people will now be in the new database. Create a database for you mom & repeat these steps for your mother. You will end up with 3 databases.

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**Author:** ![Cajun1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cajun1977](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/Cajun1977)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/split-tree-into-one-tree-for-paternal-side-and-one-tree-for-maternal-side/9794/3 "2024-01-24T16:42:41Z")

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Hi. Thanks for the information! Another question, how do you open both databases to drag the father to the other one? I have the main one open and am trying to open the empty one, but it’s not opening for some reason.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Cajun1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cajun1977](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/Cajun1977)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/split-tree-into-one-tree-for-paternal-side-and-one-tree-for-maternal-side/9794/4 "2024-01-24T16:51:20Z")

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I figured it out. 🙂