A Review of Three Computer Software Programs For Genealogy Or Family History
82Genealogy is the study and tracing of families.
The word itself originates from the Greek translation of "genea", meaning family and "logos" meaning knowledge. Finding out where one comes from, or their roots, helps one to grow stability and strength from simply "knowing who you are."
The Old Way
In times past the process of finding ones roots was a slow and tedious job.
To do family research required a trip to an authorized "family history center" with hours of searching in volumes of books and other data just to find clues about family lines. The monotony of searching manually through stacks of census records that were recorded on microfilm was a boring and time consuming job, which quite often resulted in sore eyes and a stiff neck only. All of the record keeping was done manually by handwriting or typing in information on large "family group sheets." Stacks of notes and paper files were overwhelming, and filing systems were at best another searching process. With the computer technology of today all of that has changed drastically.
Legacy
- Legacy Family Tree Genealogy Software
That's right, download your copy today for FREE, and see what all the excitement is about. You can do everything with this fully functional free version. This is not a demo program that expires in 14 days or limits you to the number of people that - Legacy Family Tree Genealogy Software
The feature-rich Legacy 6.0 makes it easy to preserve your genealogical information. Family trees containing millions of people can be recorded, displayed and reported in a variety of styles and formats.
Computer Programs Available
If one has a computer available, most genealogy research today can be done in the confines and comfort of your own home. There are a number of genealogy programs available to help you get started recording your information.
LEGACY
My number one favorite computer program for recording my family history is the Legacy program. It is extremely user friendly and offers several different options for reports and record storage. It even has a way for you to make a picture photo album included in your research. It is compatable with most other programs on the market, making downloading of information quick and easy.
Samply View of Legacy Program
PAF
- Product Details ( Personal Ancestral File 5.2.18.0 - Multi ...
Personal Ancestral File 5.2 (build 5.2.18.0) is a Windows®-based version of one of the most widely used genealogical management programs for home computers. The software program can be downloaded free from the Internet.
Personal Ancestral File
PAF is another program that is very popular and is user friendly also. It is distributed by The Latter Day Saint Church.
Features allow users to:
- Type each person's information only once.
- Link individuals to families.
- New: Type names and places using characters from any language.
- New: Create templates to customize data entry.
- Print pedigrees, family groups, or lists.
- Track your research sources.
- Use photos, sound clips, video, and notes to add interest and value.
- Search, find, and correct information.
- View family information in different ways.
- Match/merge duplicate entries.
- Filter searches.
- Share your information with others.
- New: View screens and print reports in either English, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Swedish.
Personal Ancestral File
Family Tree Maker
- Family Tree Maker Software: #1 Selling Genealogy Software - Find ...
With Family Tree Maker 2008, it is easier than ever to organize and preserve all the information you've collected about your family.
Family Tree Maker
This program is affiliated with the Ancestry.com program. It is compatible with their search engines. I have used this program and find it to be a little more confusing.
With Family Tree Maker 2008, it is easier than ever to organize and preserve all the information you've collected about your family.
- A new interface makes it much easier to enter, view and edit your data.
- Media features make it easy to manage photos and other media files and incorporate them into charts and reports.
- Timelines highlight personal, family and world events that occurred during your ancestors' lives.
- A robust tool helps you sort and manage your to-do list.
Family Tree Maker
Just Try IT, You'll Like IT
Whatever program you choose, make sure to just jump in with both feet and experiment. The more you use the program the more familiar you will become with it. I am partial to Legacy because that is the program I have spent the most time in. All the programs have so much to offer that you can't go wrong with any you choose.
More Hubs on Genealogy
- Genealogy/Searching for your ancestry
Final thought: - Do not leave it, until it is too late. Ask your parents about their, childhood. The schools they attended and how they met. Write their life story of events down and ask about any interesting times during their lifetime. Share their
Hubs by In The Doghouse
Additional Links for more help in Family History
- FamilySearch.org - Family History and Genealogy Records
- Family History & Genealogy Databases. Family History Tree Software ...
- American Family Immigration History Center
- Genealogy.com - Family Tree Maker Family History Software and ...
- Genealogy, Ancestry and Family History Search, Family Tree
- Family history - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Computer Software
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![Family Tree Heritage Platinum 8 [Download]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HkyIaEfmL._SL75_.jpg) | Amazon Price: $37.58 List Price: $39.99 |
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- How to Start Your Own Family Tree
The best place to begin your family tree (family history or genealogy) is with yourself. You will need to write down your birth date and place, marriage date and place (if married), and proceed from there. It...
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I use a program called One Great Family that gives me search access to the four big databases. You are right, the work would have been onerius without these tools.
Bob
I haven't heard of that program. I will have to check it out. I truly am a Legacy fan through and through. My aunt searched the old way "bless her heart" and it was horrific. I am glad that I have the computer to help me today. :)
Perfect! I actually searched for these myself several months ago when looking for a gift idea. Aren't we lucky to live in the age of technology?
C-Lee
Totally! Actually my favorite thing to do on line, believe it or not, is family history research. I would die without the internet. Thanks for reading.
Great hub, Doghouse! I too am a die-hard LEGACY user and have been for years. Tried every other genie program and found Legacy to be the most user-friendly, also I like that they continually improve it and make updates available...FREE...every few months, which you can download or not. Unless it's a MAJOR improvement, I usually don't. However, I do have the Deluxe version, which isn't free but the extra features are definitely worth the $30 or so.
As for FTM (FamilyTreeMaker) the "new, improved version" ISN'T. A total dog, a memory hog that's slower than cold molasses. Not worth the time to install and then UN-install, not to mention calling FTM customer service for a refund. Which oddly, they grant without a fuss, if that tells you that already knew it was a dog. (I know this from the trials and tribs of a friend who'd used their previous versions since Day One, plus the comments posted by EX-users on Amazon.com.
btw, I don't do "family history research", my idea of fun is CHASING DEAD ANCESTORS, some of which are darn fleet of foot when they choose to be. :)
JamaGenee,
Thanks for all the additional information and reviews of the programs. I do love Legacy. I agree, sometimes they just are a few steps from being found aren't they. lol Have fun!
In The Doghouse: Thanks for all the great information. It will save me a bit of time on another pending project, today! Like you, I spend a lot of time on the internet, searching for ancestors, family stories, etc. I've found that a good computer genealogy program not only saves many hours of time but also keeps the interest better than the old laborious "write everything by hand" method!
Rose,
The computer has revolutionized the art of family history. I love searching for my ancestors, and now it is easier than ever with the help of the internet. Thanks for visiting and keep on searching and writing!
Are you familiar with a program called Master Genealogist? My Family Tree program is 1998 and I'm planning to update to something.... (?)
Suggestions?
Bob
Hi Bob,
I am not familiar with Master Genealogist. I am a Legacy user and prefer that to any other program I have used. Sorry I can't help you with that!
I just found a (3 floppy disc) copy of Family Ties from 1995 that I loved cause it was so simple to use. BUT I can't copy it to my computer running XP nor my laptop running XP Professional. Something to do with "bits" too many or too few. Does anyone have a later version that might load??? Need some help.
k4976@aol.com
I have been playing with www.geni.com lately. It's for your more casual genealogy, but still a fun way to get people interested. And, the user interface isn't so intimidating...more like a social network for family.
Great article, I will bookmark it.
Thanks for the useful links. Is anyone out there familiar with the MacFamily Tree? I'm a dedicated Mac user, and that's the program I'm thinking of buying.
I agree with you completely. I am also working on genealogy research and making my own family tree. I am using Family tree program to manage my tree and to keep everything organized.
I used to be a die hard windows user and used Family Tree Maker, which is only available for Windows. This program was the only reason why I would not switch to Mac. Then the iMac's came out with Windows. The other day discovered Reunion, specifically for Mac, which seems to work just as well as Family Tree Maker.
I use a computer but there is nothing better for my family history files than paper. I have all my families in files and I can find things without waiting for it to all load up.
Also, I have found, that as I started my researching in 1977, I have not got the time to put it all on the computer anyway! It takes ages to put stuff into the programmes.
Norfolk ancestry is my strongpoint, 99% of my ancestors are from this good old County on the East of England and I love it. Come and check it out.
Norfolk-Tours
I use ancestry.com for my genealogy work so I have been considering buying the Family Tree Maker prgogram for a while now. Thanks for the comparison of the programs.
Informative hub.Thanks for sharing this.
thanks for sharing that with us i really appreciated it, it helped me learn alot!
amy jane Level 1 Commenter 4 years ago
What a great hub, Doghouse! This is a topic I have always wondered about, but never really knew where to start. Thanks:)