Family Tree Software for modern society

[janerich]

I have been using Family Tree Maker v10 for many years now and have noticed its limitations with modern relationships.  Is there a newer version available that takes into account people who don't get married.  I have an increasing number that are having children without getting married -some with different partners at that!

I also have to go back and sort out a 1930s conundrum.  Just discovered a relative got married to someone else (exciting because we have found a half-sister for some of our live family) then married again in 1960 - possibly without divorcing. FTM v10 doesn't let you put divorce on the front page.  Actually I've just checked in the 'more' section and divorce isn't even on the menu there!

And if you find the father for an illigitimate and put that in - it assumes that it is a spouse.

What I'm looking for is a programme that I can easily transfer the data to from my existing programme e.g an upgrade to FTM.

[downside]

I'm not sure what year version 10 was released.  In FTM-2005 you can define relationships:-

To define the relationship:

1. In the Kind of relationship field, click the drop-down arrow to select the relationship type, e.g., married, friends, unknown, etc.

2. In the Status of relationship field, click the drop-down arrow to select the status of the relationship, e.g., none, divorce, separation, etc.

The Kind of Relationship status can be:-

Friends
Married
Other
Partners
Private
Single
Unknown

The Status of Relationship field with a dropdown list has these entries:-

Annulment
Death of one spouse
Divorce
None
Ongoing
Other
Private
Separation
Unknown

If you do upgrade then you do not have to do anything too technical.  FTM will automatically convert your .ftw file to the new version.

[janerich]

Thanks - that's good news.  Version 10 I think was about 2002/3 and certainly doesn't have that stuff on it.  Time to buy a new one I think.

You've been really helpful - thankyou again.

Jane 

[janerich]

Hi Downside

Just to say - thanks for your help.  As our computer kept crashing/sticking and doing nasty things.  I saved my FTM data as a GEDCOM file on a memory stick and went the whole hog - bought a new computer and Family Tree Maker New Platinum version.  It was easy to transfer my data and although it needs tweaking - seems to think all the occupations previously stored are locations! it is brilliant. It does exactly what I want with the unmarrieds etc.  Just wondering what it will do though when I put in two marriages for the same guy, with no divorce or death in between! 

Many thanks again

[Comosus]

Thanks - that's good news.  Version 10 I think was about 2002/3 and certainly doesn't have that stuff on it.  Time to buy a new one I think.

You've been really helpful - thankyou again.

Jane 

Odd, I used to use a 1995 version until a few months ago, and that had those options!  Seems strange that they'd remove it.  FTM seem to do strange things to their updated versions.  I now have FTM 2008 but there are several features missing that were present in the 1995 version, such as being able to put 1867-1935 on a descendent tree.  Now I have to have B: 1867 // D: 1935, which just takes up ridiculous amounts of space.  I also find it a lot harder to navigate around my tree and harder to view my pedigree.  Not sure who advises them!

Andrew

[downside]

There was a discussion about FTM-2008 a little while back:-

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,277798.0.html

If you scroll down to the bottom of the first page you will see a link that tells you which features have been removed.