Family History software

[AnneC]

I'm a Legacy user and have used it since version 2 in 1998.
Legacy gets better and better and I've found no reason to change.

I agree with Cathy that the reporting, source management and mapping are really useful. It's not so hot on producing nicely laid out charts (though as soft copies they are brilliant to navigate through) but for recording data in a user friendly way I think it's excellent. But, as proven from so many comments in this thread, it's really what suits you.

 

[Cathy]

Well charting is a whole different ballgame. Legacy Charting made a good start but needs a few more functions to make it as good as TreeDraw though it is a lot more user friendly than TreeDraw. I expect the next version to address some of the short comings. Legacy Charting is great for Ancestor charts or for small groups. For me it took over from Charting Companion which makes pretty charts but Legacy Charting can do even better. TreeDraw has a lot more flexibity which is necessary if you want a Descendant Chart that doesn't require a huge hall to display it.
With software, ease of use is important and familiarity is a big factor in whether something is easy to use. Many people use only a small number of the features available in a program and can be heard wishing for features that are already present.

 

[Tim]

Well, I've just ordered Family Tree Maker 2010 (FTM2012) from Amazon.

I still intend to use GenoPro but getting 6 months free subscription, you just can't say no. I'll be interested to see how easy it is to link the censuses to people and then see if there is much more to do before I can use Alexander's FTAnalyzer.

 

[peter]

Peter also points out that by buying FTM 2012 from places such as Amazon, you can get 6 months free subscription to Ancestry.

I generally recommend buying FTM 2011 so that you can buy the 2012 edition later and get another 6 months free. However I don't recommend FTM as a program because I've never used it.

 

[Cathy]

I have a private tree .paf5*

* Only just found out that Family Search/LDS will no longer support this tree software. Any recommendations out there as to which replacement to go with ?
Ancestral Quest ,Legacy, or Roots Magic.

I suggest you go with Legacy or maybe Roots Magic. Both have free versions so take a look before you buy. Legacy will import your PAF file so you don't have to make a Gedcom first.

I've used Legacy for years and am currently testing version 8 as a beta tester. I've only had a look at RootsMagic free version. My impression was that it sounded better than it actually performed. All programs have their problems and limitations. The Legacy Programmers are more responsive than any other software company I've encountered. Free updates include not only bug fixes but new features that other companies would make into a new version and ask an upgrade price for. That's why I stay with Legacy.

 

[Emmyw]

I would love some help please. I have tried reading some of the comments on family tree software, but I don't seem to have found the answer I am looking for. My guiding principle in life is KISS, and although I am not into four letter words, or the 'f' word, I make the word FREE an exception.

I started working on my familytrees in the 1990's, and I used BrothersKeeper Version 5. Unfortunately, my computer no longer likes it very much. I can still use it, but inputting data often makes my computer beep at me which suggests I should update it. The following is a bit of my tree (partly fictional), and that is what I want to duplicate, i.e. all the information seems, to me, to flow. I do not want a tree that tells me under 'Notes' or similar where the individual was baptised, or buried. I do not want something connected to the internet (I do not want the responsibility of putting other people's information out there, although I am more than happy to share with 'family'). I don't often send out my notes to others, they are mainly for my own research. I don't mind if it doesn't allow pics (I have done them as a separate exercise). BrothersKeeper is much the same as what you see on Rootsweb. I tend to use the register format most, then indented format, and generally don't worry about charts unless I can fit them onto one page (anything too big seems to become too difficult fot non-genealogists to understand).

Second Generation​

​

3. Abel WAIT (1.William1) b 1 Aug 1746, bap 17 Aug 1746, Inkpen, Berks, occ maltster, m. 26 Oct 1774, in Wickham, Berks, Ann (Anne) ALLIN, bap 5 Feb 1749, Wickham, Berks, (daughter of Thomas ALLIN and Mary GIBBS) d. 1832, Wickham, Berks. Abel died Oct 1817, Welford cum Wickham, Berks, bur 21 Oct 1817 St Mary’s Ch.
Children:
+ 9. i William WAIT.
10. ii James WAIT b 1 Oct 1777, bap 12 Oct 1777, Kintbury, Berks.
+ 11. iii Jesse WAIT.
+ 12. iv Hannah WAIT.
13. v John WAIT b 1 Aug 1786, bap 13 Aug 1786, Kintbury, Berks.
+ 14. vi Eli WAIT.
+ 15. vii Abel (WAITE) WAIT.

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Tim]

Hi Emmyw,

Family History Software has changed dramatically over the last 10 -20 years, making it much simpler to enter data or add pictures, run many varied reports, and produce a file that you can then import your data into other FHS programs or analysis tools such as FTAnalyzer. I think its fair to say that all new versions of FH Software are much more visual.

What you describe above looks like a fairly standard (but maybe old style) report. But data is not entered in this manner.


For example, if you look at this image above from my tree, each of the lines with dates (called Events) are entered and then these events can be used in reports or exchanged with other software tools.

Unfortunately, if your software is really old then there will be quite a big step change compared to what's currently available.
But it will be worth the change. The newer software is much better organised and fairly easy to use. Most all allow you to share your tree on-line whilst still keeping it private, enabling others to contact you if they think there's a connection.

I recently changed my FHS software, but I'm glad that I did.

 

[Norman]

The image in Tim's post is taken from ancestry.co.uk This is an on-line system that enables you to create and update a family tree on-line. You can share this with friends and family but they, too, must be on-line to view it. Ancestry requires a subscription and there are three levels of access. A basic level, a "premium" level that allows you to access all the databases for your country, and a "world wide" membership that gives you access to all the world wide databases that Ancestry have.

If you decide on this then they also publish a PC/MAC program called "Family Tree Maker" which keeps it's data on your PC/MAC and allows you to work off-line. It also has the ability to keep your on-line and off-line trees synchronised.

If you don't want to consider on-line trees then RootsMagic has the ability to send your friends and family CDs containing a basic version of the program together with all your data. It also gives you some free web space in which to publish your tree for friends and family to view on-line.

 

[Alexander Bisset]

Emmyw,

Your report format is what is known as an Ahnentafel report, it lists back the generations from an individual, most programs should be able to produce this form of report with options to include notes along with facts. Typically you also get the reverse report too, a Descendants report which lists descendants from an individual working forward, using the same indented text forms.

Lots of programs produce that sort of report with some more flexible than others in how it is customised. Separate from that is how the data is entered here there are huge variations with many using the core family group display of father/mother/children, where you enter the facts against the individuals. Some have a popup screen per individual which allows you to see more detail.

Personally I like the ones where you can see a family group and navigate around by clicking on icons, it makes it "flow" during data entry rather than just picking someone from a list. Although you need the pick from a list option too if you are jumping from one family to another. ie: it would be tedious if the only means of navigating was to start at the root person and wade through your tree every time.

Also go for one where it understands modern databases eg: many older packages don't handle census records very well and you end up cutting and pasting stuff into a notes field. I know you said you didn't want something internet enabled but be aware that many programs now have the ability to search the major online databases with a few clicks, this makes it easier to find information without any requirement to put your tree online. So connecting to the internet doesn't mean your tree goes online it just means you can search easier. Some packages will encourage you to link your tree online and so those are probably not for you.

Note there are huge variations in how modern software is. Ideally you don't want anything older than published in 2009ish. This is not to say programs published before that won't work, but if its say 2010 onwards then it will last you much longer if the manufacturers stopped supporting it. Programs pre 2009ish that stop getting supported are far less likely to work on Windows 8 and Windows 9 when it comes. That said if you are on a Mac then your options are more limited. I've never owned a Mac so I don't know which ones are available.

The other thing about picking a modern piece of software is that it is more likely to be supported in future. If the last time a program was updated was over four/five years ago then its likely the authors have got their money out of it and have moved on. Therefore in my book its better if you are going for something new to pick something where there is evidence that its still being actively developed. This will give you a longer life product. In this vein I know that both Legacy Family Tree and Family Tree Maker have new versions coming out very soon. Legacy 8 is in beta and should be released soon, FTM 2014 has just finished beta and is available for pre-order.

It is also worth looking at products that have free trial versions, Legacy has a free trial version on their website as do many others, although usually the trial versions are older or feature restricted versions.

Ultimately it comes down to what you personally find comfortable and works for you.

 

[Bob Spiers]

I would love some help please...My guiding principle in life is KISS, and although I am not into four letter words, or the 'f' word, I make the word FREE an exception.

Although this advice runs contrary to Alexander's excellent advice, I wonder if perhaps a piece of software that conforms to both KISS & FREE may be what you need. I refer to Family Tree Legends (FTL) which is of the same sort of vintage as Brothers Keeper, but still available: (I will provide a link later). It is from the Gen Circles stable and was originally owned by Pearl Street Software. I have used it for over 10 years and it still acts as my main FH Data base and produces all the reports I ever need. It also exports and imports Gedcom. True I use Ancestry & Family Tree Maker for internet related purposes- and have my own Tribal Pages for the family to browse - but my primary stand-alone FH database is and always has been FTL.

Yes it was written originally for (now) vintage Windows 98 and graduated to XP without a murmur. I now run it in Compatibility Mode on both Vista & Windows 7 platforms where it performs perfectly well. Just install and right click on the FTL icon and select Troubleshoot Compatibility. When the options appear choose XP and thereafter it will run in Compatibility Mode without a problem. {Incidentally that might be the solution to your Brothers Keeper, try running in Compatability mode}

I must mention -as others may well do - that Pearl Street sold out to My Heritage (likely for the reasons expounded by Alexander) who no longer support FTL. In fact if you try to upload FTL from some 'Googled Upload Sites' it will take you direct to My Heritage. You can avoid this by going to the original Pearl Street Site which you will find here: Family Tree Legends . You can take time out and read about FTL then if you decide to download Version 5 it is totally FREE. (It will give you a Registration Code for you to copy and paste into the opening FTL Screen, you need to do this just once)

After uploading you will be asked if you want to enact 'Real Time' saving (or words to that effect) just say NO and thereafter it will be entirely stand-alone on your PC. If you do elect to have 'Real Time' be warned the data will graduate to a My Heritage 'Cloud' which is best avoided.

Once downloaded you can enter data from scratch or if - as likely too daunting-then import a Gedcom (say from Brothers Keeper)and take it from there. Just remember to backup 'Save to Disc' (which can be hard drive, thumb drive or CD) once a month and you should have no problems.

 

[Emmyw]

Thank you very much for all of that. The piece of my tree I showed was a part of a Descendants Report (not Ahnentafel - sorry, I didn't do it from the beginning to try and show what I was talking about). I have got Family Tree Maker, and recently downloaded a copy of Legacy to look at, but don't like either because of their reliance on 'Notes' in their reports, from what I can see. Apart from my own preferences, I tend to find that although a lot of 'family' are interested in the tree, and will happily provide me with their information, their requirements are generally for very simple reports, or charts, and a few like to get gedcom files. The first thing I tend to do when somebody sends me a report, is take out the excess information, and try to condense it!! OK, so I'm weird, but I can cope with that.

I did once shout myself a one month subscription to Ancestry, but generally rely on their free searches. I will certainly look at Rootsmagic and Family Tree Legends, thank you. I am currently using an old laptop PC, running Vista, and back up to a memory stick (? thumb drive). I will investigate the Compatibility Mode. I know I did something originally to allow the computer to run 'old software', which did provide some improvement, but was not perfect. I will keep looking at options, but there is still a little bit of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Thanks again - your time is greatly appreciated - especially as I was sleeping through it all.

 

[Emmyw]

Just to let you know I was serious. I downloaded both Roots Magic and Family Tree Legends. I liked both programmes which are very easy to use, I imported a gedcom of a relatively small tree I have been working on recently for my godmother. I had sent her a descendant report the other day, which using Brothers Keeper, came out at 24 A4 pages. The same report in Family Tree Legends was 44 pages (though there was a wee glitch in it I haven't worked out yet), and I didn't like the headings 'other events in the life of....'. Using Roots Magic the report was 57 pages, although this report was closer in format to BK5 than FTL. A small chart I tried which I could get on one page in BK5 covered 4 pages!!

I will keep looking.

 

[Bob Spiers]

.... and back up to a memory stick (? thumb drive).

Whoops, I am reading a Tom Clancy novel where the characters are forever stealing data from computers using thumb drives. The word just popped into my head. We of course used the term Memory Stick and I think USB Flash Drive is also another acceptable term.

Glad you tried FTL. There are adjustments you can make when producing charts, reports etc to truncate, modify or even omit information.

 

[Cathy]

Hi Emmyw,
Whichever program you use you'll find there are options in the reports. If you don't want Notes in your reports, you choose the options to omit them. Same with events. If you really, really don't want them, you don't enter them but I can't imagine doing family history seriously without them.
You'll find that some programs also allow you to change the headings - you mention "other events in the life of" - you can probably edit it to a word or phrase you do like. You can certainly edit the equivalent in Legacy.

 

[Emmyw]

Hi Cathy
Thanks for that. My problem is that I like the way BK5 reports are formatted. I want the information in the report which in some other programmes is in the 'notes', but BK5 does it in a much more concise, and clearer way (as I have now found, using a lot less paper, and ink). Obviously, a lot of this is me wanting 'what I am used to'. It may be that I will be able to discover what rootsweb uses.
Thanks again.

 

[AndyMick]

Brother's Keeper is still going - see link. You could try the latest version. It claims to run on Windows8.

I have just installed FTM2011 on Win8 and it seems as slow as it was on my old (7 years old) laptop to load. I've also put VirtualBox on Win8 so I can keep running my XP programmes. I've yet to see which category my Generations8 falls into although a post I read elsewhere this morning suggested it would run on Win8.

Sorry I've been quiet of late - severe case of computer-itis, which I should probably not discuss on this thread!

 

[wPaulf]

We've talked a lot elsewhere which are the best sites for finding information, but not a lot about how we record it all.

I know from past newsletters that Peter is especially fond of Genopro, though he also advocates Family Tree Maker from Amazon, purely for the free subscription to Ancestry.

I have always used Legacy, which although is American based (so I can't use a lot of features) I find very easy to use and to navigate. They also run web-based seminars, again very American, but if you pick and choose well can be very informative - especially if you have American relatives. The basic software is free, but upgrading to the deluxe edition is only about $20 (and no, I'm not on commission....perhaps Peter can negotiate something for Lost Cousins!)

What do you use, and would you recommend it to others?

I have use The Master Genealogist since it was a DOS program (but then again I am old), It can find anything and you can search for anything. You can adapt to suit any country, with my One Name Study I have added place setups to cover England, Ireland, Australia, Canada as well as the standard USA, I even have one set up just for the GRO indexes. You make your own sources, but you can use the ones built into the program. It lets you start as a beginner and change up as you get more practiced. Customer support is wonderful if you hit trouble. What I like about it is the way it lays events out in date sequence so you can see straight away if you have something wrong. I could go on and on, but you may get jealous. It's sister web tool Second Site creates web sites using the programs database. It is probably the most expensive program but worth every penny.

 

[Emmyw]

Hi

Brother's Keeper is still going - see link. You could try the latest version. It claims to run on Windows8.

I have just installed FTM2011 on Win8 and it seems as slow as it was on my old (7 years old) laptop to load. I've also put VirtualBox on Win8 so I can keep running my XP programmes. I've yet to see which category my Generations8 falls into although a post I read elsewhere this morning suggested it would run on Win8.

Sorry I've been quiet of late - severe case of computer-itis, which I should probably not discuss on this thread!

Apologies - not sure what happened (I obviously didn't press the right button), but I did thank you yesterday for your help!! I did have a look at BK!!

 

[Susan48]

That said if you are on a Mac then your options are more limited. I've never owned a Mac so I don't know which ones are available.

Am I the only Mac user on the forum??? I've got MacFamilyTree on my laptop to which I downloaded my original trees from Ancestry several years ago. Would love to hear from anyone else who uses this software.

 

[Tim]

Am I the only Mac user on the forum??? I've got MacFamilyTree on my laptop to which I downloaded my original trees from Ancestry several years ago. Would love to hear from anyone else who uses this software.

Looks like you might be so far!