I need some advice on choosing a Family History Program

[Reggie]

I agree with most posters that a program you select has to suit your needs and, has to be eazy to operate.  However, in saying that you must ask yourself what is the end result you want from the data.  Most people require a Report of some kind.  We spend hours collecting family data and, eventually will distribute it to other family members.

Most programs will have a Family Group Report and they all look similar.  Most have a Descendant Chart.  Some have Descendant Box Charts. Most have a Individual Detail Report.  But how many have a good Narrative Report?  How many of them have the ability to assign Roles? As I said what is your end result you are seeking?

Cost of a good program is a consideration too.  The free programs provide some very good basic features and are a good starting point.  I think most of us start with a very basic program and then find it just doesn't quite do what you want it to do.  Then we go out and get a better one and then what happens? You have to download the data into it.  And that is when you begin to have major problems because every program has a different feature that will not transfer across to the new program.  So, I say, consider carefully.  Because you don't want to change to another program in say 2 years time after you have gathered all that extra data and find problems transferring.

I have tried several programs.  Some are very easy to input but the Reports are very basic.  In the end I spent money and bought a very good program (it suits me) and I am glad I did.  It has taken some time to master it but once I did I am pleased with the result.

I use The Master Genealogist (TMG). (I have no affiliation with them - just a satisfied user) and find it has all the attributes and a very good forum for any assistance.  You can download a trial version at http://www.whollygenes.com also you can view the forum at http://www.whollygenes.com/forums and ask pre sales questions.

 Hope this helps

Reg

[matty]

Reggie, Thanks for your advice I am just a beginner at this and will consider everything at this stage at the moment I think I need something simple to operate, but understand what you are saying. I have printed off all the advice and will be able to look at it at leisure 

Matty

[pnewbery]

I also use Family Historian (FH) and can thoroughly recommend it.

I was using GSP's Family Tree V2 and was going to upgrade to the latest version which comes with all sorts of extra goodies like data CDs lookup credits etc. etc.. And then along came "WDYTYA" on the telly. My mother, bless her, bought the book and in it I noticed the author used FH, so I thought I'd better check it out.

 I looked at the website http://www.family-historian.co.uk/ and saw that it talked about GEDCOM compatibility, which, as a relative beginner, I was blissfully unaware of, but quickly realised is crucial. FH was built using GEDCOM as it's basic file format and is 1000(!)% compatible and the only program of this type which uses all of the GEDCOM fields.

 I downloaded the demo (which was not available with GSP's offering) and found the Tutorial made the whole thing interesting and incredibly easy to use. It is extremely flexible and it seems to be able to cope with any tree printing requirements you might have, long or wide!

It comes with no extra goodies and at a few pence short of 45 quid costs only a few pounds less than GSP's offering with all it's knobs and whistles. But that's the one I went for and would recommend it to all, plus, it's British!!!

So before you send your note to the North Pole by setting fire to it and sending it up the chimney in smoke signal form (How else would the man who comes down the same orifice receive it?), I suggest you go to the website, read all about it, take the tour, download the demo and get hooked!

Paul N.

[Rebecca Steele]

I'm glad you've posted this cos I need help finding a program too!

I'm using a mac (OS X) and need a program that I can put all my information into and eventually export it onto a website.

Any help would be appreciated!! 

Regards,
Rebecca

[matty]

Hi Kazza,
I am now trying out the free trial down load from Roots Magic and I find it easier for me to use than the Legacy.  So so far so good thank you all for the helpful information. 

Rebecca try the free trails first then you can make up your own mind before you by. If you look back at these threads you will find several free trials.   

Matty

[Kazza]

Matty,

I am glad you are enjoying RootsMagic. 

And thanks for keeping us up to date,  it is useful for others who are in your position to hear how you are getting on.

Kazza.

[deadants]

I'm glad you've posted this cos I need help finding a program too!

I'm using a mac (OS X) and need a program that I can put all my information into and eventually export it onto a website.

Hi Rebecca,
     As a fellow  macintosh user I can tell you that the number of programs are limited compared to the PC. Having said that, their are some good programmes for the Mac. The most popular is Reunion 8. http://www.leisterpro.com/ It has a demo you can download plus a user forum if you need help. Here is a link to web pages produced by Reunion. http://www.leisterpro.com/doc/users/linkSearch.html

The other new one that is starting to showoff is Heridis. http://www.myheredis.com/ It is a french product and after seeing the PC version I have my reservations.

Then their is the shareware option if your on a budget, you could try 'Gene Macintosh Genealogy Software' http://www.ics.uci.edu/~eppstein/gene/

I have been using Reunion for a few weeks and its dead simple to use. But like everyone else in this thread, we all have got our favourites. They all have weaknesses and strengths.

That should give you something to think about. Hopefully you won't get too confused.

Deadants

[Rebecca Steele]

Thanks for that advice deadants!

It'll certainly give me something to think about and possibly some christmas present ideas!

Rebecca

[matty]

Hi Kazza

Whilst I was trying out my Free Trail of Roots Magic one of my family gave it me for my Birthday.  I am very pleased with it and busy putting Photo's of my Ancestors on at the moment. 

Matty