The Demise of TMG (The Master Genealogist) and Alternatives?

[jcsturgis]

Given the recent announcement of the demise of TMG, I am currently researching alternatives and not having much fun.  The ones I am considering are Legacy, Family Historian, Family Tree Maker and Roots Magic.

Roots Magic is the only one that does a direct import from TMG project files, but doesn't having the geographic mapping that many of the others do.  TMG allows 'family' events/facts to be created (with associated roles), but these don't seem to be included in GEDCOM files and the prospect of re-entering all that data (on the software that will allow it) is horrifying.  Family Tree Maker doesn't provide a trial version, so I have no way of evaluating it.

Does anyone have any advice, suggestions or opinions ... any would be welcome, preferably before I have pulled all my hair out.

[Jane Taubman]

Family Historian does do a direct import from TMG, with certain limitations. 

There is a detailed document and link to recent discussions on the Family Historian User Group Site.

http://www.fhug.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id=how_to:import_from_tmg

[jcsturgis]

Thanks Jane, I'll have a look at that.   

[jcsturgis]

I have tried direct import into Family Historian and nothing happens ... I do have the demo version of Family Historian so presumably this feature isn't available on the trial version?

[Jane Taubman]

A couple of things to check,  make sure you have V5.0.11 (use help>about) to check.  If not download the latest trial from the Family Historian site and install it over the top.

Make sure you don't have TMG open when you do the import and run the database fixing options if you still have problems.

[jcsturgis]

Thanks Jane.  I've tried all these things, but it would appear (having re-read the discussion entry that you suggested) that my problem is to do with the fact that I am running Vista.  Guess I'll take it up with them and see if there are any plans to rectify this ... makes it difficult to evaluate properly though. 

[Jane Taubman]

My understanding of the problem is as long as you install and run FH under a Admin user just to do the import you should be able to import fine.  It's a Windows Vista "Feature" which is the problem.

[jcsturgis]

Just tried running it as admin and it makes no difference ... 

[Jane Taubman]

Very strange,  if possible I would contact support at family-historian.co.uk, if your tree is not too large if you attach a backup of your database they might be able to check if it's something in the database or a feature of your windows installation.