A damaged FTM tree should be handled carefully because repeated attempts to open, edit, or overwrite the original file could make recovery more difficult. Family Tree Maker Assistance can help users understand possible recovery and backup options. Start by locating your most recent verified backup and avoid deleting the original tree file. If an earlier backup opens correctly, compare it with your current tree to determine what information may be missing. Family Tree Maker Assistance can also be useful when the problem involves missing records, media, relationships, or unexpected program behavior. Maintaining several dated backups is one of the best ways to protect against serious data loss. For valuable genealogy collections, keeping both local and secure secondary copies provides additional protection.