Collating ancestral information

[snazzyrose]

Hi everyone,

I was wanting to know how everyone best collated their ancestral information?  Is it best to buy software for a family tree maker or are there other, better methods?

Thanks in advance!

[CaroleW]

Investing in a FH software programme such as Family Tree Maker is your best bet

[snazzyrose]

Is there one that you would recommend?  I read somewhere that ancestry.com were going to discontinue their family tree maker software.

Investing in a FH software programme such as Family Tree Maker is your best bet

[mike175]

Hi KatrinaB,

Plenty of people have meticulously recorded all their data on paper or using wordprocessor or spreadsheets, but it can get very complicated. I would be lost without my RootsMagic software which takes care of relationships, events, etc. and will present the information in almost any form you can imagine.

Once an individual's details are added to the database he/she can be linked to anyone else as spouse, parent, child, etc. . . . and unlinked again if you make a mistake. The beauty of it is that you only enter the information once and can then manipulate it any way you want. If there is someone you think may be related you can enter them as an unconnected individual and then link them when you find the connection.

There's no need to purchase anything to begin with as there are plenty of free versions, however the paid upgrade usually gives you many more features. I like RootsMagic but there a many people here using other software. It is best to find one you like and stick with it rather than learn all over again each time you change, as with any software.

There will always be plenty of people here to help if you need it.

Mike.

[snazzyrose]

Thank you Mike175!

Hi KatrinaB,

Plenty of people have meticulously recorded all their data on paper or using wordprocessor or spreadsheets, but it can get very complicated. I would be lost without my RootsMagic software which takes care of relationships, events, etc. and will present the information in almost any form you can imagine.

Once an individual's details are added to the database he/she can be linked to anyone else as spouse, parent, child, etc. . . . and unlinked again if you make a mistake. The beauty of it is that you only enter the information once and can then manipulate it any way you want. If there is someone you think may be related you can enter them as an unconnected individual and then link them when you find the connection.

There's no need to purchase anything to begin with as there are plenty of free versions, however the paid upgrade usually gives you many more features. I like RootsMagic but there a many people here using other software. It is best to find one you like and stick with it rather than learn all over again each time you change, as with any software.

There will always be plenty of people here to help if you need it.


Mike.

[CaroleW]

Hadn't heard or read of any discontinuation.  Doubt it would make a lot of difference though.  I am still using FTM 2005 despite also having much later versions - personal choice as I prefer the layout.

A lot depends exactly what you want.  I just want to record Names, BMD info and other snippets in the notes facility.  I don't want to upload photos or copies of other docs etc.whereas others may want that facility so later versions/updates may be more important.

[smudwhisk]

Ancestry did announce in December they were retiring FTM as of the end of this year.  However, they have now sold it to the company that has developed the MAC version for them and also have an agreement with Roots Magic to allow them to implement a Tree Sync feature in RM as well as FTM.

Personally, I prefer Family Historian but its more complicated than most to get your head around, but a great piece of software when you do as its very customisable.