Genealogy Software. Table of Contents

Transcription

1 Genealogy Software Table of Contents Genealogy Software Overview... 2 Best Genealogy Software of Family Tree Maker Software Update Information

2 Genealogy Software Overview GENEALOGY SOFTWARE Software Cost Pros Cons Legacy Family Tree $39.95 Easy-to-use Lacks web hints features Tutorials Variety of charts and reports Gedcom interface Family Historian $49.95 Web hint features Limited charts and reports Printed manuals Online resource Family Tree Maker $69.95 Link to Ancestry May not be supported after 2016 Easy data entry No in-program-search of Good for beginners Family Search Support manuals Gedcom interface Ancestral Quest $29.95 Good for large databases No problem spotter Gedcom interface Connects to popular web sites RootsMagic 7 $29.95 Family Search certified Location capability limited Gedcom interface Good for large databases 2

3 Reports have indexing Interface with web sites Manuals and classes My Heritage Free download Good charts and reports No connection to Ancestry Family Tree Builder Gedcom interface Not Family Search certified No printed resource material Family Tree Heritage $39.99 Direct link to FamilySearch Charts and report capability linited Direct link to Ancestry No problem spotter Gedcom interface Ancestry $19.99 Links to Ancestry Monthly subscription may be required Collaboration feature Easy for beginners Notes: 1) Family Search certified softwares allow you to import search data, such as census data, BMD record, etc. 2) Most softwares have snyc capabilty with mobile apps 3

4 Best Genealogy Software of 2017 Bernie Spaunhorst sends you this link to a review of the Best Genealogy Software of 2017 that he has recently read. Family Tree Maker Software Update Information From: Ally Bane <ally.bane@gmail.com> A FREE UPDATE WORTH INSTALLING Drum roll, please. For those of you who have been waiting patiently (or impatiently) for an update we thought every user of FTM 2014 and Mac 3 should install, well it's here, and here's why you should install it. (Even if you've already updated to a previous edition of FTM or Mac 3.1). SECURITY. New in this build is the ability to add password-protection to the tree files you export. And if you're sending them outside your computer, that's a very good idea so your family history doesn't ever fall into the wrong hands. You'll find it as a new option in the 4

5 export window. STABILITY. We've crushed every crashing bug we could find or that's been reported to us. Even some pretty obscure ones that we knew only a few users might ever find. Our goal was simple. We wanted to make this build what it is the most stable edition of Family Tree Maker ever made. SPEED. We've improved both speed and responsiveness. Some actions that previously took several minutes in FTM 2014 now take just a few seconds. In beta testing over the past ten days, 800 outside testers with trees of all sizes noticed the improvement. We think you will too. HOW TO GET A COPY OF FTM Where you go depends on which Family Tree Maker edition you currently have: Users of FTM 2014 and Mac 3 Free updates are available in our new Update Center. These offer added security, faster performance and greater stability among many other improvements, and are recommended for all those who have already updated to FTM or Mac 3.1 too. Users of older FTM editions No matter how old your copy of FTM is, or whether it's on Windows or Mac, you can download an upgrade for a discounted price. Click here to take advantage of this limited-time offer. New users If you've never owned Family Tree Maker, you can download a full edition for $69.95 at (click the Store button). On startup you'll be offered a 14-Day free trial membership to Ancestry.com to start on building your family history. *** 5

6 This is the URL for the upgrade for Family Tree Maker software. READ THIS FIRST BEFORE YOU UPDATE Please read this carefully before you update: 1. Do a manual backup with media. While the updater is perfectly safe, it's always a good idea to back up your files. After a last sync (if you sync your tree files), we recommend compacting them (Tools>Compact File) and then manually backing up (File>Backup, making sure the Media and Sync boxes are checked). Then put your backups on an external drive or load into cloud storage. 2. Make sure your old version is installed. The updater will be looking for an installed edition of FTM 2014 or Mac 3 or later. If you don't have a copy installed, then go get one at the Replacement Center (see instructions below). 3. Do NOT unlink your tree! If you have a linked tree on Ancestry.com, the link will magically move to the new build when you install it whether you are updating from an Ancestry version or an earlier one of ours. It will copy your preferences too, and will not touch your tree files. OK, if you've read all that (you have, right?), and you are ready to get your free update, please click here. Enjoy! YES, YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU Here's the situation. You're upgrading to our new edition of Family Tree Maker and you have 6

7 your tree still linked to your old edition. Well there's one thing you should NOT do and that's to break that link and re download your tree. Because now you can take your link with you. When you open your tree in our edition, the link will move (somewhat magically if you ask me) right along with the tree. No need to break links or re download. It just works. WILL SYNC STILL WORK ON NEW YEARS DAY? Relax. TreeSync won't stop working at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve. It will still be retired at some point in the not too distant future, but before that happens, new syncing technology will be available to replace it. And that means syncing as we know it for FTM is going to live on into 2017 and beyond. So stop worrying about what happens at the end of the year. As long as you've purchased a MacKiev edition, syncing, search, and Ancestry's shaky leaf hints are all here to stay. THE DOCTOR IS IN, MORE OFTEN If you're an early bird in the US, you'll be pleased to know that we've added three more morning hours to our live chat support service, now open from 6am 6pm, 7 days a week. We still offer support and you'll find hundreds of useful articles in our Support Center. But when your research can't wait, there's nothing like a live agent to walk you through the steps. See Getting Technical Support, below. Here's hoping you have a wonderful New Years celebration with family and friends. I can hardly wait to share what's coming in the new year. But that will just have to wait for the next edition of Family *** GETTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT Software MacKiev is now supporting all versions of Family Tree Maker for both Mac and Windows, though Ancestry will continue to assist us behind the scenes through the end of 2016 and beyond. 7

8 Where to Get Technical Support Companion Guide. The first stop for learning how to use features of Family Tree Maker is the Companion Guide which contains step by step instructions for everything you might want to do. You can open the guide from the Help menu while running Family Tree Maker. Knowledge Base. We have hundreds of helpful articles posted on our support site on a variety of topics that will be of interest to all users, and can help solve problems. To get to the knowledge base, just go to support.familytreemaker.com. Support Requests. If you don't find what you need in the Knowledge Base articles (at support.familytreemaker.com) just click the link for additional support at the bottom of the page and you will see the Technical Support request form. Typically we'll be getting back to you by in 2 days or less. Live Chat. When you file a Support Request (see above) between the hours of 6am and 6pm EST (7 days a week), you will have an option to have a live chat with an experienced support agent. This can be very helpful for urgent issues or those that would be easier as a discussion than an exchange. Facebook Group. There is an excellent unofficial but very active Facebook group called Family Tree Maker Users which you might want to consider joining. They have many very experienced users who are generous in sharing their time and wisdom to help other users solve problems and learn new tricks. Replacement Copies. We have set up an online Replacement Center which is always open. The Center provides free replacements for those with FTM 2014 or Mac 3 and later, and discounted upgrade replacements for older editions. If you are a registered user and find yourself needing a fresh copy, then have a look at Getting a Replacement Copy below. *** GETTING A REPLACEMENT COPY 8

9 For any users needing a replacement for FTM 2014 or Mac 3, we have set up a completely automated online Replacement Center. Whether you've had a hard drive crash, are moving to a new computer, or just need to reinstall FTM but your activation code doesn't work anymore, you can use the Replacement Center 24 hours a day to get a fresh copy. Here's how: Getting a Replacement Download 1. Go to support.familytreemaker.com. 2. Click "for additional assistance" at the bottom of the page. 3. Click the Replacement Center tile. The Replacement Center checks that you have a copy of FTM 2014 or Mac 3 registered with Ancestry and then provides you with a free fresh link by . You will also be given an option to purchase a backup disc for $10 or our new natural wood USB backup drive for $14. Note that what you get will be a full free-standing installer, so it won't be looking for your old copy, a disc, or anything else. You will also notice that the replacement copy installer doesn't ask you for an activation code. That's because we don't use them. Why? Well, we don't like them ourselves, so we decided a long time ago we weren't going to torment our customers with them. Instead, we use this oldfashioned thing called the honor system. It's been working pretty well for us for more than two decades now, so don't expect us to be changing that any time soon. *** FAMILY TREE MAKER HOME PAGE LINKS Almost everything you will need to know can be found on our Family Tree Maker home page. Home Page: Links on the home page include: FAQ Find answers to the most frequently asked questions. Feedback Let us know what we're doing right and what to improve. 9

10 Report a Bug Tell us what you think needs to be fixed. Suggest a Feature What you would like to see in our next edition? Beta Tester Signup To help us test upcoming editions, sign up here. Gift Collection Perfect gifts for the family historian. Any Questions? If you have questions for us, please first read our FAQ as we've tried to answer the most common ones there. If you don't find the answer you are looking for, please send your question through our Feedback Form which you'll find on our FTM Home Page (see above). Thanks! *** 10