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Recommend me some Family Tree software please!

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Lesley\Suzanne

Lesley\Suzanne Report 9 Mar 2007 10:28

I'm new to all this and would lik to buy some Family Tree software. I've had a Google around and I can see that there are several available. Does anyone have any recommendations?

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 9 Mar 2007 10:33

Why buy, when there's the PAF which is free...........go to www.familysearch.org and download the program. Give it a try.............if you don't like it, you've lost nothing........ Reg

Lesley\Suzanne

Lesley\Suzanne Report 9 Mar 2007 10:39

I have my family tree currently on here. If I download the program, can I import the details, or will I have to manually input everything again? Also, I have a PC at home and one at work. Will I have to double up on all the entries, or is there a program that holds the data online somewhere?

☼ Orangeblossom ☼ - Tracy

☼ Orangeblossom ☼ - Tracy Report 9 Mar 2007 10:41

Do you want free or pay? PAF is a good free one. It will do everything you need as a beginner. FTM is good too. It has slightly more features, but you have to pay for it. However, most bundles give you feww Ancestry access for various periods. I wouldn't go for anything else if you're just starting out. Can take a while to get used to where everything goes and how it's all laid out. If you want something that will display good trees, then try one of the more expensive ones.

☼ Orangeblossom ☼ - Tracy

☼ Orangeblossom ☼ - Tracy Report 9 Mar 2007 10:45

You download a Gedcom from here, which can be imported into the software you choose. If you have something like a floppy disc, CD or USB pen, you can take the tree anywhere you want, including work (as long as they don't mind!) You could either save the programs tree (.paf .ftw etc) or the Gedcom. You would have to import the Gedcom each time though, whereas the program one would just open (as long as you have the same program on both PCs)

Lesley\Suzanne

Lesley\Suzanne Report 9 Mar 2007 10:56

Ah, OK, I think I get it. Thanks for your help. What does PAF stand for please? I worked out that FTM is Family Tree Maker...

Salty

Salty Report 9 Mar 2007 11:11

Personal ancestral file, get it through 'Familysearch' the church of latter day saints site. Quite good too.Rod

Cat Heaven :)

Cat Heaven :) Report 9 Mar 2007 14:05

I've just downloaded Legacy. The standard version, which does everything I want and more, is completely free. I also have Family Tree Maker (FTM for short) which I picked up for about 3 pounds on ebay. (I'm just trying out legacy as I want to create my own genealogy website). I find FTM very easy to use. Both of these programs will create Gedcom files which can be imported onto here. I maintain my family tree on my computer and just upload it every so often - saves trying to manually update it on here. You can also export your family tree from here into a Gedcom file which can be read by both of these programs. You won't need to manually re-input anything. If I have to choose between Legacy and FTM, I would go for FTM. It seems to be more clearly laid out and is very easy to use.

Honey

Honey Report 9 Mar 2007 16:28

nudge for James