How this guide is built: The Roottrees are Dead is a deduction game, not a hidden-object checklist. A raw final tree is useful only after you have already stopped enjoying the investigation; before that, it destroys the exact pleasure the game is built around. So this walkthrough is layered. First it teaches the habits that solve the case: how to read evidence, turn odd phrases into searches, use periodicals and library titles, identify portraits, and know when the game is waiting for a lock-in. Then it gives a phase-by-phase route through the base game. Only after clear spoiler warnings does it provide the full family-tree checklist, Roottreemania answers, FamilyDOKU rows, and the final Possible Roottrees verdicts. Sources were fetched before writing: all eight Steam guides were available, Neoseeker was recovered through a Wayback snapshot after a Cloudflare block, GameFAQs was readable in browser view after local fetch was blocked, and the images come from the official Steam app data.
What is The Roottrees are Dead?
The Roottrees are Dead is a genealogy mystery from Evil Trout Inc., released on Steam on 15 January 2025 for Windows, Mac and Linux. The premise is wonderfully small and sharp: the richest members of the Roottree family have died in a private-jet crash, the lawyers need the will sorted out, and you are hired to reconstruct the Roottree bloodline from scraps of evidence.
Mechanically, it is an investigation desk game. You inspect evidence, click photos to extract portraits, search the in-game web through SpiderSearch, unlock Periodicals, look up books in the Public Library, repair images in PixPop, and pin names, portraits, occupations and spouses onto a family tree. The important trick is that the game rarely gives you an answer as a single obvious clue. It gives you a phrase, a publication title, a weird brand name, a suspicious spouse, or a half-useful article. The answer appears when you follow that phrase sideways.
Before you spoil yourself: the method that solves most of it
If you still want to preserve some of the mystery, use this section before the answer tables. These habits are more valuable than memorising a route:
- Click every photograph inside evidence. A page is not fully mined until every portrait inside it has been added to your portrait tray. Many “missing person” problems are actually missing-photo problems.
- Search exact weird phrases. The game rewards odd proper nouns: band names, magazine names, product names, slogans, email addresses, book titles, and capitalised conspiracy terms. If a sentence feels too specific, search it.
- Search the same name in the right archive. SpiderSearch often tells you that a periodical exists; the real payload then comes from searching the person or topic inside that periodical.
- The Public Library needs title + author thinking. When you learn both a book title and author, treat it as a library lead, not a web lead.
- Birth order matters. The board usually runs oldest to youngest from left to right. If two names fit the same branch, dates and sibling-order language decide the slot.
- Portraits are logic, not decoration. Hair, clothing, family resemblance, repeated poses, and age progression often decide which otherwise-similar person goes where.
- The Rubber Duck is allowed. There is no achievement for avoiding hints. If you are stuck, ask the duck, then come back here only when the hint still leaves you cold.
Spoiler-light route: what to search, phase by phase
This is the clean route through the base game. It tells you what to investigate and when to submit, but keeps the full answer table for the next section. If you want to play along, stop after each goal count and fill the tree yourself.
| Phase | Core searches and evidence | Lock-in target |
|---|---|---|
| First Test | Open Got Milk Picture and List of Names. Search Roottree Sisters, ROOT., Carly Roottree, and TMS. |
The three sisters, their jobs, Rhayna’s spouse. |
| Second Visit | Read Notable Roottrees, 5Pieces Ad, and The Story So Far. Search Teen Blast, Elias Roottree, Gwyneth Roottree, 5Pieces, Gwynn Roottree, Lauren Roottree, Carl Roottree, Watchman of the Year. Use the library for the candy-history books and Lauren’s memoir. |
The founders, Gwynn, Clancy Edward, Lauren, Carl. |
| Third Visit | Mine Campaign Mailer, The Free Spirits, Paris, Shiva Candle. Search Miracle Roottree, Miracle Junior, Jim Roottree, MMM, Diamond’s Dazzlers, The Fluzis, C&J+J&D, Stephanie Jones, Butler County Times, Raffertunes, and Chris’s email. Use PixPop on the cousin images. |
Miracle’s branch, Jim’s branch, Gwyndoline’s line, the Rafferty-LaRoux children. |
| Phone Call | Let the phone ring out if you want Call Screener. Then search Elias Roottree Jr, Patricia Christensen, Dr Wilson, Fancy Flavors, Boys and Girls Agree, plus Business Watch and Butler County Times leads for Guy and Ernest. |
Elias Jr, Margolite, Samantha, the Morden/Hudson/Wilson/Kellogg/Landon cluster. |
| Fourth Visit | Read A Partial Explanation. Search Miracle’s descendants through Butler County Times, Roottree Motors, November Studios, and theatre leads. Then search Ron Roottree, RR Productions, Robbie Roottree, SilverScreen Magazine, and Penelope Tessa-Greene. |
The remaining 49 blood relatives and the final portrait/spouse cleanup. |
| Top Secret | After the full tree is coherent, use the evidence around the hidden 5Pieces member and the background figure. | Edward Clancy Roottree, the secret blood relative behind the envelope. |
Full base-game family tree answers
Major spoilers start here. Names below are written in readable order, but the in-game form often wants Last, First. Spouses are included only where the tree asks for them or where they prevent a common wrong placement.
First Test and founder layer
| Person | Occupation | Spouse / placement clue |
|---|---|---|
| Rhayna Roottree | Model | Oldest sister, left; spouse Thomas Sheridan. |
| Carly Roottree | Model | Middle sister, originally the “Rhose” clue. |
| Rhiley Roottree | Model | Youngest sister, right. |
| Gwyneth Anderson Roottree | Housewife | Top ancestor; spouse Elias. |
| Elias Roottree | President (1st) | Top ancestor; founder. |
The 5Pieces generation
| Person | Occupation | Spouse / clue |
|---|---|---|
| Gwyndoline Roottree | Housewife | Eldest 5Pieces child; spouse James Morden. |
| Elias Roottree Jr. | Architect | Spouse Patricia Christensen. |
| Edward Clancy Roottree | Farm Hand | Top Secret child; spouse John Miller. |
| Clancy Edward Roottree | Lawyer | Spouse Sarah Cosell. |
| Margolite Roottree | Housewife | Spouse Linus Cornwall; Gwynn’s parent. |
| Miracle Roottree | Preacher | Youngest; spouse Helen Lennon. |
Second and third generations
| Branch | People to place |
|---|---|
| Gwyndoline / Morden | Angelica Morden (Housewife, spouse Christopher Hudson); Zacariah Morden (President 2nd, spouse Clara Lansing); Bonnie Hudson (Housewife, spouse David Kellogg 3rd); Guy Hudson (President 3rd, spouse Patricia Jones); Gwyndoline Morden (Housewife, spouse Steven Wilson); Caroline Morden (Artist, spouses Mark Landon and Eloise). |
| Elias Jr. / Samantha | Samantha Roottree (Farmer, spouse Ernest Madsen); Gwyneth Madsen (Farmer, spouse Sam Cattrall); Ernest Madsen Jr. (President 4th, spouse Debra Bean). |
| Clancy Edward | Lauren Roottree (Author, spouse Jacob Rafferty); Clancy Roottree Jr. (Professor, spouse Laura Carlson); Elias C. Roottree (Advertising, spouse Joan Monroe); Edward Roottree (Lawyer, spouse April Quarritch); Clark Rafferty (Advertising, spouses Danielle Franks, Jane LaRoux, Kim LaRoux); Carl Roottree (President 5th, spouse Brenda White); James “Jim” Roottree (Musician, spouse Diamond LaRoux); November Roottree (Dancer). |
| Margolite / Gwynn | Gwynn Roottree (Actor, spouse Walter Forsythe); Ronald Roottree (Director, spouse Penelope Tessa-Greene); Robert Roottree (Screenwriter). |
| Miracle | Miracle Jr. (Preacher, spouse Edith Jacobsen); Elias M. Roottree (Mechanic, spouse Katharine Wilkins); Miracle Roottree 3rd (Preacher, spouse Nicole Smith); Tessa Roottree (Mechanic). |
Fourth generation and youngest relatives
| Family pocket | Children |
|---|---|
| Bonnie Hudson | David Kellogg 4th (Student, College); Bethany Kellogg (Student, K-12). |
| Gwyndoline Morden | Zach Wilson (Student, College); Gem Wilson (Student, K-12); Jason Wilson (Student, K-12). |
| Caroline Morden | Stephanie Landon (Politics, spouse Brian Jones). |
| Gwyneth / Ernest Madsen lines | Stephanie Cattrall (Student, K-12); Nicole Madsen (Student, K-12). |
| Clark Rafferty | Chris Rafferty (Student, College, spouse Luisa Garcia); Jessica Rafferty-LaRoux (Student, K-12); Katrina Rafferty-LaRoux (Student, K-12). |
| Carl and Jim Roottree | Rhayna, Carly and Rhiley Roottree; Candy Roottree (Musician); Wolf Roottree (Student, K-12). |
| Ronald Roottree | Jack Roottree (Student, K-12); Kristina Roottree (Baby). |
Before submitting the base game, clean up extra portraits and music. Listen to These Times, Rollin’ On Down To the City, and Cherry Tree. If the tree is correct, submitting earns the story completion and the perfect-genealogy recognition.
Roottreemania: how the second campaign changes the rules
After the base ending, start a new game and choose Roottreemania. This campaign is less about one tidy family line and more about possible affairs, disputed inheritance, company records, DNA claims, and people who may or may not be true Roottrees. Start by reading Notable Events and Reminders, then search the headings: 6Pieces, The Roottree Rift, Clark Rafferty-LaRoux, 5Peez, Roottreemania, and Anonymom. Those unlock the vocabulary for almost everything below.
Possible Infidelity 1 (1921): Elias, Bess and the Williams line
Follow Family Man, Bess Williams, Bocadoral Library, The Miami Mercury, Wildcat Construction, and Frank “Wildcat” Williams. Then branch into Barb/Sharon through the Georgia, hair salon, tutor and wedding-photo clues.
| Entry | Answer |
|---|---|
| Tree symbol | Elias Roottree, President (1st). |
| Affair | Bess Williams, Author. |
| Child | Frank Williams, Construction, spouse Ophelia Williams. |
| Descendants | Barbara Williams (Public Speaker, spouse John Doe); Sharon Williams (Hairdresser, spouses Andrew Smith and Peter Yastrzemski); Anthony Smith (Student K-12); Marc Smith (Student K-12); Cricket Yastrzemski (Actor). |
Possible Infidelity 2 (1949): Miracle and the Clementines
This line starts after enough Roottreemania progress for Sam to bring additional evidence. Use the Clementine email and Mary-Beth materials, then search Mary-Beth Clementine, The Old Rugged Cross, Mark Clementine, Basket Baby of 1950, Tostaritto Jacobson, Billy Simms, and later Telephoto, Lincoln Baby Photography, Val Lincoln, and Lisa Lincoln.
| Entry | Answer |
|---|---|
| Tree symbol | Miracle Roottree, Preacher. |
| Affair | Mary-Beth Quaker, Musician, spouse Sterling Edsel. |
| Children | Stuart Clementine, Police Officer, spouse Regina Salazar; Mark Clementine, Pilot, spouse Colleen Webb. |
| Mark’s line | Lisa Clementine, Professor, spouse Val Lincoln; Mary Clementine, Travel Agent; Cam Lincoln, Baby. |
Possible Infidelity 3 (1975-1982): Guy Hudson and the company affairs
This is the broadest branch. It moves from Guy and Joanna into 5Peez, chefs, international business records, Picotee, Grandorf, and the office photo. If you are solving naturally, expect this to be the branch where the duck earns its rent.
| Affair pocket | Entries |
|---|---|
| First | Guy Hudson (President 3rd); Joanna Robertson (Cashier, spouse Riley Fellowes); David Fellowes (Musician). |
| Second | Christine Pharoah (Secretary, spouse Steven Garland); James Garland (Chef); Robert Garland (Chef). |
| Third | Lang Xinyu (CEO); Lang Min (Student, College). |
| Fourth | Sonia Alves (Media mogul, spouse Edson Soares); Flavio Soares (News Anchor). |
| Final affair | Susan Ford (Principal, spouse Thomas Hughes); Heather Ford (Student, K-12); Melissa Ford (Student, K-12). |
Family Tree Update and Inconsistencies
For the 1998 update, search Stephanie Jones and open The Newest Jones: Stephanie Landon remains Politics, Brian Jones is her spouse, and the child is Carol Jones, Baby. For the later inconsistency section, follow Anonymom, Courtney-May Watts, Ryan and Cork, DNATECO, and the unobscured cover evidence. The entries are Beatrice Watts, Retail, and Courtney-May Watts, Nurse, spouse Daniel Newton.
FamilyDOKU! solutions
FamilyDOKU is installed after you search FamilyDOKU! and FamilyDOKU!@Home. These are the row orders, top to bottom.
| Puzzle | Rows |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Poe, Missy Eastham / Bethany Poe, James Sharpe, Martha Poe, Corbin Tilly. |
| 2 | Sam Apple, Iris Gellar / Carrie Apple, Onson Sweeney, Earl Apple, Gertrude Apple, Felix Opal / Mary Sweeney, Sam Sweeney, Susan Umber, Gertrude Opal. |
| 3 | Michael Dean, Nia Andre / Michael Dean Jr, Erin Nicholson, Nia Dean, Tyler Munson / Brandy Dean, Erin Dean, Michael Munson. |
| 4 | Mark Popper, Henrietta Lowell / Steve Popper, Angie Queue / Jane Popper, Chris Baxter, Jerry Popper, Mark Popper, Prudence Locket / Lana Popper-Locket, Mark Popper-Locket, Winnie Popper-Locket. |
| 5 | Eric Owl, Alicia Rapaport / Alicia Owl, Wally Hoot, Bob Owl, Claudia Munroe, Eric Owl Jr, Laura Twain, Quincy Owl, Margaret Vaughn, Wilbur Owl / Mandy Hoot, Wally Hoot Jr, Amy Owl-Munroe, David Owl-Monroe, Rod Owl-Munroe, Margaret Owl. |
| 6 | Patrick Carny, Inez Earl / Ike Carny, Louise Carny, Hank Roberts-Ashe, Mortimer Carny, Krystal Womak / Nancy Roberts, Patrick Roberts, Sarah Roberts. |
| 7 | Marcus Horne, Eve Marilla / Carlton Horne, Angela Christie, Marcus Horne Jr, Sophie Davis, Rachael Horne, Chad Hamilton / Angela Horne, Morty Hamilton-Horne, Tricia Sloane / Tricia Hamilton. |
| 8 | Mark Pugh, Jess Ibarra / Amy Pugh, Chase Carlton, Francine Push, Larry Chung, Steve Pugh, Toby Patton / Mark Carlton, Christine Chung, Larry Chung Jr, Kara Singleton, Toby Pugh / Larry Chung III. |
| 9 | Peter Sprout, Jane Neumayer, Chris Clough / Peter Sprout Jr, Danielle O’Shea, Vincent Sprout, Jane Clough, Tom Leeds, Mike Clough, Sally Mandell / Danielle Sprout, Peter Sprout III, Alice Leeds, Miriam Leeds, Priscilla Eastman, Sally Clough. |
| 10 | Corbin LaVeen, Belle Stone / Britney LaVeen, James Pepper, Misty LaVeen, Peter Antonelli, Trixie LaVeen, Clarence Onden / James Pepper Jr, Leigh Pepper, Sara Pepper, Shonda Antonelli, Alex Onden, Belle Onden, Ike Worthington / Misty Antonelli, Justin Unger, Peter Antonelli. |
Possible Roottrees: final verdict table
The finale asks whether 13 disputed people are Roottree blood relatives. The key rule is that the game usually expects a yes/no verdict when evidence supports or disproves the claim. Frank Williams is the exception: he plausibly might be one, but the evidence cannot prove it.
| Person | Verdict | Why, in short |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Williams | Might be a Roottree | The Bess/Elias theory fits, but the paper trail cannot prove paternity. |
| Stuart Clementine | Not a Roottree | Mary-Beth’s timeline and Stuart’s known father route do not support the claim. |
| Mark Clementine | Roottree blood relative | The basket-baby and Tostaritto/Jacobson evidence tie him back to Miracle’s line. |
| Courtney-May Watts | Roottree blood relative | The Anonymom material and DNA documentation support her. |
| David Fellowes | Not a Roottree | The 5Peez claim collapses under Rubie, DNATECO and timing evidence. |
| James Garland | Roottree blood relative | Company records and Steve Garland evidence support James. |
| Robert Garland | Not a Roottree | Same branch, different biological implication. |
| Lang Min | Roottree blood relative | LangTai/Qigenes and company-record evidence align. |
| Flavio Soares | Roottree blood relative | Transmissaopaulo and Nia Alves leads confirm Sonia’s line. |
| Heather Ford | Roottree blood relative | Picotee, Grandorf and company-record evidence support both Ford daughters. |
| Melissa Ford | Roottree blood relative | Same Ford evidence as Heather. |
| Ronald Roottree | Not a Roottree | Gwynn/Wild Bill, Huntington’s, and remake evidence point away from blood relation. |
| Robert Roottree | Roottree blood relative | Gwynn’s later pregnancy makes Robbie/Robert the biological Roottree son. |
Achievements that are easy to miss
- Search Failure: highlight text from a SpiderSearch result so it becomes a notebook link, disconnect from the internet, then click that notebook search link while offline.
- Call Screener: when the phone rings, do not answer. Let it stop, then use the answering machine.
- Thinking Outside the Box: search for achievements in-game. The exact obvious term is the joke.
- Duckler County Denizen: search the nonsense phrase
The Fluteknees are Bread. - It’s All Connected: chase the conspiracy terms from the WRTD/radio-station trail. Search the capitalised claims, including the Time Cube phrasing and brand-related conspiracy leads.
- Audiophile: listen to all five playable songs across the base game and Roottreemania. If you only heard three in the base case, remember the later 5Peez/Anonymom material.
- Voracious Reader: find all 13 periodicals in Roottreemania.
- Loose Ends Part One / Part Two: collect every evidence item in the base game and Roottreemania respectively.
- FamilyDOKU!: complete all ten FamilyDOKU puzzles after installing the program.
- What’s the Deal With All These Roottrees? in Roottreemania, before locking the relevant final answers, temporarily enter the reference name Jerry Seinfeld as a key relative’s name, then restore the real answer.
- Where There’s Smoke… find every smoking-gun evidence item before the final Possible Roottrees submission.
Watch a full run
If you need motion rather than text, this community no-commentary video covers the full game and 100% achievement route. Use it as a last resort: scrub to the phase you are in, watch only the search chain you missed, then go back to solving.
Sources & credits
Game details and the first four screenshots are from the official Steam page for The Roottrees are Dead by Evil Trout Inc. The Roottreemania branch and Possible Roottrees images are in-game screenshots from fetched Steam community guides, and the evidence-table image is from Camzillasmom’s fetched walkthrough. The route and answer tables were cross-checked against multiple community walkthroughs and then rewritten here as a spoiler-layered deduction guide, not copied as source text.