Which is the best genealogy software

[mike175]

I'd like to put in another good word for Roots Magic. After trying half a dozen others, some of which are still on my PC, I have found it does more of the things I want than any of the others.

One big question:
Nearly all the programs have their own 'special' GEDCOM features which are non-standard, and are not understood by other programs . . . why? 

Mike.

[kerryb]

For me one of the most useful bits of Family Historian has been the add on gedcom census.  This has allowed me to 'attach' all my census returns to the appropriate people on my tree.

Not only has this allowed me to fill in gaps and find people I had not seen on census returns since the day I downloaded them but gives an overall picture of where each ancestor was for one night every 10 years.

Yesterday I split my tree through FH which was so simple compared to the old software I used to have, I really like FH.

Kerry 

[LizzieW]

KerryB

the add on gedcom census.

That sounds a good idea.  I think it seems I will have to have FH and Legacy to get the best of both worlds.

Liz

[kerryb]

Hi Lizzie

I've not ever had a look at Legacy so I can't form an opinion of it but FH has lots of abilities which the old package I first bought 3 years ago did not.

I like being able to query my tree to find out answers to questions like, how many men, how old were mothers at first babies, old when married etc.  Maybe not life changing information but fun nevertheless!

It's worth getting hold of that manual and having a good read, something I never bother to do and always wish I did.   

Kerry

[LizzieW]

Hi

What I like about Legacy is that when I open the program, I can see the names of myself and husband in boxes (my default, it could be my grandparents or anyone), with below us a list of all our children and above us both our sets of parents' names also in boxes.  That makes it very easy to follow each branch.  I couldn't see that layout on FH, only a list of the names in my tree, with dob's etc and when I clicked on one I got up a small box, which could not be enlarged which showed the spouse and children.

Liz

[kerryb]

No I agree with you there.  To see a family tree drawing as it were you need to click on the name of the person you want as your start and then go to some little buttons on the top toolbar which show different varieties of drawing ie just ancestors, ancestors and descendants and including all relations. 

I often use this method, the drawing for adding new people to the tree, I see it grow as I add them. 

Kerry

[LizzieW]

Kerry

Thanks for that info.  I'll see what my daughter-in-law thinks next time she comes over, which will be Sunday morning as we are taking care of our grandson overnight, whilst my son and d-i-l are at the evening reception following her sister's wedding.  I'm looking forward to seeing the baby wearing his waistcoat to match the groom, best man and ushers!

Liz

[cathaldus]

And here am I at 71 yrs. of age,  having had a computer for eighteen months
and thinking I'm the real bees knees,  loggin' on and postin ' to RootsChatters. Then finding out about my long dead uncle and my Mother's family in Tipperary and my paternal grandparents in Mayo and Barnsley.  Eee bye gum,  I've got this jeeniology licked 'oller,  like fallin' off a log!  And who is kidding moi? I look in on Roots,  select about software and am completely flummoxed,  gobsmacked and in everyway discumknokerated.  I remember asking a friend from Finland,  who was 31 yrs. old,  how long it would take me to learn to speak Finnish - his reply "about 31 years!".  I've got a similar feeling now about my genealogy!

[Springbok]

Hi cath,

Have been there and then!!  There a number of discussions on here regarding software and I'm sure someone will come up with a couple of links for you.

There are Free Programmes which you can download and some could at least get you started. But do get something down before you get bogged down in scraps of paper.(which often have a vital bit of info)

Reading the letters on this thread, it does appear daunting ...

it comes down to which prog suits you best. Any one you start with will store your  tree on a GED file( The Mormons started it I Think!!)  and if you try  a differant software programme , the GED file will usually just open in that.

 The difference is not in the GED file(which just contains your tree) but in the software which displays the information.

Hope that goes a wee way to clarifying (I think I 'm fairly correct if not technically so)

Also aged Spring