Software for Genealogy

[QED]

Hi Everyone,

I had to put genealogy on the back burner for several years and now I'm starting up again. I used to use Family Tree Maker for software to keep track of people but it isn't available anymore. Is that right? What do you use to keep track?

[applegrove]

1. Family Tree Maker was bought by Ancestry and integrated with that. Then

Ancestry decided not to support it anymore. Then someone else took over Family Tree Maker. That is my understanding. I don't know if they are up and running yet. Or if you can integrate your old Family Tree Maker with the new yet.

[QED]

3. Thanks for your answer on this.

I just don't want to put my info up on ancestry so they can sell it.

[seaglass]

2. FTM is owned by Software MacKiev. I still use it and am happy with the product and the frequency of

upgrades.

They sync trees with Ancestry and notify of hints with both Ancestry and FamilySearch.org (don't know if they sync with Family Search as I don't have a tree there).

[QED]

4. Thanks for the info.

I'm glad to hear there is an updated software.

[emmaverybo]

5. Didn't know Ancestry supporting FTM now again. Going to look into it. I pay for two accounts because

I can’t merge the work I did on my mom’s tree with work I did on mine on Ancestry. It would be ideal if I could get the info from both onto FTM.

[QED]

6. Please post what you find out.

I have a lot in my old FTM. I mean a lot! I've been adding a bunch into an Excel spreadsheet but need to organize it better.

[csziggy]

9. You should be able to export your FTM tree to a GEDcom file

And import that into any other genealogy software program. The problem is, some programs use different ways to link the images and sources so that can get messed up.

When I upgraded to the 2017 version of FTM, it was seamless importing my multiple trees into the new version. Since I have a LOT of people (over 25,000) in my main tree, I was worried about it getting messed up. No problems at all.

They also have a multiple user license so you can put the software on up to three computers and three different people can access the same files, update them and sync the information.

I also like the new FTM sync with Ancestry - that was an early glitch in the switchover from Ancestry to the current publisher. Now they give a sync "weather report" and if it is not green, don't try syncing right then.

[QED]

7. Software MacKiev offers an upgrade discount for FTM

Right now they're on the 2017 version with a 2019 coming out this summer. $50 for the 2017 immediate download + DVD of the 2019 version with available. Gonna try it.

[csziggy]

8. Family Tree Maker is still around - just no longer sold by Ancestry

The newer version interacts with both Ancestry and FamilySearch.org trees.

You can find it at: https://www.mackiev.com/ftm/

I recently paid for a new version of FTM which will be released this summer so I think if you buy now, the new version will be free.

Heredis is another program I have, mostly because it is supposed to work better with GedSite, which will convert Gedcom files into HTML web pages. My Family Tree Maker GED files do not seem to place tags that allow GedSite to make good pages and the support for GedSite seems to prefer Heredis. I have not worked with Heredis much, though so I can't do much comparison.

[LiberalArkie]

10. I use MacFamilyTree version 8 and love it..

[customerserviceguy]

11. RootsMagic for me

It is integrated with my paid subscription to MyHeritage.com, and is absolutely essential to what I use genealogy for.