Genealogy Chat

At the moment I use PAF5 from LDS which does the job. If I was to buy an off the shelf programme which would you recommend and why?.................... Would I be able to export / import my current tree as a gedcom file?..... :-)

I use Family Tree Maker and really like it. I started with Legacy but FTM is much better in my opinion.

I have Family Tree 2005 and I think its brilliant. Yes, you could import your info into it, I did that when I first got it with all my GR stuff.

PAF is very good. We were fortunate enough to buy a family history magazine a few years ago when it had a free CD with it that had the UFT (ultimate family tree) software on it. Joy

Joy, What do you think of UFT? I had it bought for me a couple of years ago and I've grown used to it. However it does have quite a number of glitches. I am wondering whether to change when we get a new computer? Would I miss the things that UFT does? Anne

I have to say that I have no experience of any other, but have found Family Tree Maker to be absolutely brilliant and very easy to use. You can put in any kind of info and photos and print off a variety of trees and reports. Wendy

Thanks Guys, I had heard FTM was good so I might get it :-)

I use Legacy which is a free download from the web and is very good - I have paid 15$ to get the upgrade which makes it even better.

Hi Gaynor Sorry to sound like the idiot, I AM!! Can you tell me what you all mean when you mention PAF5 - LDS - and gedcom?? Looking forward to explanation THICKO!!!!!!!!! Val

I'm not really a techie but a Gedcom is the type of programme used to store your Family History information (I think) PAF5 is Personal Ancestry File and 5 is the latest edition. LDS is Latter Day Saints - that's the site where you can down load it from for free...... :-) ......... I have heard that Family Tree Maker is good aswell so I think I might give that one a go. :-) Gaynor x

Anne - UFT does all the things that we need. Can't see the need to buy a different one yet. Also there is a forum for questions about the UFT where people have helped us with queries. :) Joy

Are you able to view your entire tree on these programmes or is it still like PAF where you can only view one line at a time?

Thanks for the reply, Joy. I was already beginning to think it probably does all I need. Where do I find the forum, please? One of the annoying things the programme has never been able to do is connect to the internet as advertised!! Another is that it refuses to attach photos - also as advertised. Gaynor, I don't think you could see your whole tree. Even with a relatively few names it would be enormous. I don't know how mine compares to PAF. Anne

Hi, I've used family tree maker for 5 years and am very happy with it. Gwynne

You can view a whole tree. You can change the central person and bring up their tree, you can print a descendants report. You can put yourself as the main person and print out a report showing how you are related to everyone else on the program. Its fun! When it was my dads birthday, I printed out a tree with him as the main person and then his line going back to 1550. It just gave his blood line, not mums so was very relevant and personal. I am pleased with the program altogether, particularly as I am not a computer whizz yet have managed to do so many things that make me look like I am.

Thanks Heather, I think I will get Family Tree Maker - goign to a quick look at UFT too but FTM sounds exactly what I'm looking for. :-)