Moving Family Tree to new laptop

[annieoburns]

I use Family Tree Maker 2012 (offline/not uploaded to Ancestry).  In 2018 I was able to move it to a new laptop with only a memory stick with data backed up on it.  I did not need to install the blank DVD and there was no driver to do this.  I am now setting up a new laptop and doing the same trick with the memory stick does not result in my tree appearing on the new set up. I can open the stick and see the data but it does not 'open'.

 It seemed a simple thing to do 7 yrs ago.  Am I missing something?   I do not have the blank DVD for FTM to hand but hope to get it returned to me soon.  I could plug in an external DVD reader?

[Biggles50]

Your should Backup your FTM tree on the old laptop to a USB memory stick.

Using the new laptop you should open FTM and select Restore, navigate to the backup file on the USB memory stick and select it.

That should have done it, there is no need to Open the backup using Windows File Manager.

If you still have issues do post again

[annieoburns]

Thks for prompt response Biggles.  So I need to get the FTM software either by purchasing it or getting my old DVD's of same returned and mayb using a DVD driver to install in new laptop?

[Biggles50]

I assumed that you had installed FTM on your new Laptop.

You should have an account with Family Tree Maker in which case you should be able to log in to their website and download it to your new Laptop.

You will need the FTM software on the new Laptop.

However as you have been using a very old version I am unsure of how the latest version of FTM will operate with old backup files.

As an alternative you could export your family tree as a Gedcom file and import that into FTM.

Another alternative is to upload your tree to an Ancestry account and then download it to FTM on your new Laptop.  This way all your media, documents etc will be transferred to the new Laptop whereas with a Gedcom you will only have the basic information on each person.

[annieoburns]

I have no FTM software on new laptop and am not a subscriber to FTM.   I will get back the old DVD and try and put that on new laptop via DVD reader and see how that goes.  For the moment the old laptop is still working as long as wired in as battery has died.  Thks for help Biggles.

[Biggles50]

As a safeguard I suggest that you create a Gedcom file on your old laptop and transfer it to your new laptop.

There is Root Magic Essential available as a free download.

You can then import the Gedcom file and see your tree.

You will not be able to change it and if at some time you want to buy Roots Magic an unlock code can be bought.  This software is very similar to FTM but way cheaper.

[annieoburns]

I thought to report I was successful in getting my tree onto new laptop.  The original DVD/disc with FTM software on it was returned to me.  I used an external DVD reader to install same on the information to the new laptop.  The raw data of the tree was already on there having been transfered via a memory stick.  Thanks for your help and interest Biggles.

[Biggles50]

Thanks for wrapping it up.

Pleased you are sorted.