Recommendation for best software

[John’s]

Hello,

I’m a relative novice but have already built a sizeable amount of information, links, pictures, certificates, etc., on Ancestry

I am not overly keen on keeping it all on there, and would prefer to keep the information assembled on my own laptop and hard-drive. I would also be very disheartened to lose or have to rebuild any aspect of it, and I find Ancestry slightly ‘shaky’

Would there be a consensus on a reliable software package (also, nicely-presented visuals and intuitive ‘meandering’ through the tree would be bonus features)?

Many thanks

John

[Zaphod99]

John, list your essential requirements then find a product that meets them.  Use AI.

Remember that you can save data as a Gedcom file, and import it into another product to try a few.

Zaph

[Jebber]

Different people like the way different software works. There isn’t one that suits all. It also depends if you are working on a Microsoft computer or Apple.

You can download free software or several  programs, they usually have limits to what you can do with them but it gives you the opportunity to try different ones out and see whichever you find most suited to you, then you can purchase the full edition. 

[Biggles50]

Roots Magic, works with both Windows and Mac.

Create a new project in the software and select the option to downloading a copy of the entire Ancestry Tree, it includes images, facts, documents, citations etc.

After the creation of the project make changes in Ancestry, start Roots Magic and then select Tree Share, the changes in Ancestry will then be downloaded and presented.

Additionally create a Gedcom and download it.

Download Root Magic Essential (its free) and install it on a USB Memory Stick, import the Gedcom file into the Essential version of Roots Magic and you have a read only version which is handy for sharing with family.

[Spelk]

I think that some other program, maybe Family Tree Maker, also has the ability to sync with Ancestry trees and download / upload media.
Some programs such as Reunion (Apple only) have a version which works on a tablet or phone so changes can be made offline and later synched with the master version which is on Dropbox or similar. Some programs just have a read only version on tablets and phones.

[martin hooper]

Yes Family Tree Maker does synchronise with Ancestry.

Very good, but expensive.

Martin

[John’s]

Apologies for late acknowledgments and reply - struggling to login yesterday and today

Many thanks to everyone for the excellent suggestions. I will try everything

Best regards

John

[Little Nell]

We all have our own preferences, sometimes from years ago.  I purchased my first FH software in 1993 and still use the same program, albeit in its latest version.  I tried others as they came along, but still feel most comfortable with the one I started with.

These links may also help you.

https://www.sog.org.uk/education/learning-hub/guides-tips/family-history-software/

https://www.family-tree.co.uk/how-to-guides/family-tree-software/

https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/feature/family-history-software

https://genealogy-software.no1reviews.com/

Nell

[John’s]

Thank you, Little Nell

Your reply is so useful and appreciated - I'll go through the links now

My apologies for not reading sooner - I've only just been able to login after a day or two, despite trying different devices

Thanks again everyone

Best

John