Some Family Tree Software Options To Consider
May 16, 2018
Vicki’s note – Once you find several families in your family history, it is time to look into organizing them onto a computerized family tree. Here is an update on some options that you may want to consider:
From Ancestry.com Family Tree Maker FAQ
In 2016, Ancestry.com got out of the software business to concentrate on their database. They sold their Family Tree Maker software to Software MacKiev. There has been a transition to the new owner with Ancestry.com continuing support of Family Tree Maker support.
It seemed that I did not hear a lot about a finished stable product,until I searched the Ancestry.com website for this information. The beta testing is over and they worked closely with MacKiev to make sure there would still be the ability to upload, download, and sync Family Tree Maker to Ancestry.
Software MacKiev is using a new syncing technology incorporated into Family Tree Maker 2017, called FamilySync™. Family Tree Maker 2017 is now available for purchase on MacKiev.com. The new technology, FamilySync™by Software MacKiev, replaced Ancestry’s TreeSync®.
“What you should know:
- On March 29, 2017, Ancestry and MacKiev permanently retired TreeSync.
- FamilySync is available only in Software MacKiev’s Family Tree Maker 2017.
- Family Tree Maker editions prior to 2017 are no longer able to sync with Ancestry trees, but older software is still usable as a standalone program.
- Ancestry search, merge, and tree hints will continue to work in Family Tree Maker 2017.
How can I continue to connect Family Tree Maker to Ancestry?
You’ll need to upgrade to Family Tree Maker 2017. Family Tree Maker 2017 allows you to sync Ancestry trees, search Ancestry records, and receive Ancestry hints.
The features below are available in Family Tree Maker 2017:
- Syncing your trees in Family Tree Maker to your Ancestry trees
- Searching Ancestry’s databases and merging data into your tree
- Viewing Ancestry hints
- Uploading and downloading a trees
- Web dashboard Information
- The interactive map
- Viewing sources on Ancestry
How can I purchase Family Tree Maker 2017?
Family Tree Maker 2017 for Mac and Windows is available for purchase by visiting MacKiev.com.
Do I need a new Ancestry subscription to use FTM 2017?
Any Ancestry subscription may be used with Family Tree Maker 2017.”
If you have an Ancestry.com subscription, you can build on-line family tree(s). Once your subscription ends, you can no longer access your family tree to make additions or to edit it, until you pay for a new subscription.
“From https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Differences-between-Ancestry-and-Family-Tree-Maker :
Ancestry is a website, and Family Tree Maker is software you install on your computer. Ancestry can be accessed only from web browsers (such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox) and (on mobile devices) the Ancestry app, while Family Tree Maker can be accessed even when a computer is not connected to the internet.
Though Family Tree Maker software works with Ancestry, Family Tree Maker is sold and supported by Software MacKiev.”
From http://www.rootsmagic.com/ancestry/
RootsMagic and Ancestry: Working Together at Last
“Last year, we announced we were working with Ancestry® to integrate Ancestry Hints® and Ancestry’s records and online trees with our software. After months of development and the feedback of thousands of testers, we’re pleased to announce the release of RootsMagic 7.5, a free update to RootsMagic 7 that adds two amazing new features: TreeShare™ for Ancestry and the addition of Ancestry Hints to RootsMagic’s WebHints™ feature.
TreeShare for Ancestry
RootsMagic’s TreeShare for Ancestry will let you move data between your RootsMagic files on your computers and your personal Ancestry online trees. You can transfer people, events, notes, source citations, and even pictures between the two systems.
RootsMagic users also gain the ability to easily share and collaborate with others by giving family members access to their Ancestry online tree. Using the new TreeShare feature, family members can then synchronize the latest changes and additions to both the online tree and their desktop computers.
Ancestry Hints Integration
RootsMagic leverages the Ancestry Hints capability, and as possible matches are found, users may conveniently review them from within the software. RootsMagic then lets you add new information and media from matching records into your file.
Free RootsMagic Essentials Software
For those that are just starting their journey into the world of genealogy, RootsMagic offers “RootsMagic Essentials”- a free version of their software with a limited set of features tailored towards beginners.
If you have an account with Ancestry, RootsMagic Essentials includes the ability to upload your file to Ancestry or download your existing online trees from Ancestry. If you are a subscriber to Ancestry, RootsMagic Essentials also allows you to search and view all of the content in your subscription. Those wishing to compare and transfer individual records between RootsMagic and Ancestry will want to use the full-featured RootsMagic software.”
Here are some other Software products to record your family tree on:
LegacyFamilyTree.com – has a robust, free “Standard” computer software version, and the option for a paid “Deluxe” version. I have used the basic free software, and decided to purchase the deluxe for the enhanced features. Your Family Tree is not on-line. MyHeritage.com and Legacy Family Tree have created a partnership (separate yet linked). On LegacyFamilyTree, you can receive hints for MyHeritage.com, but can only see brief information without an additional subscription.
MyHeritage.com itself has a free basic (on-line) family tree (250 people) that you can create, with a full (on-line)family tree available as part of a subscription.
TribalPages.com is another free (on-line) family tree – Family Tree Maker. Others can only see it if you invite family and relatives to view or update your family tree website.
“Each ancestry project becomes its own private and secure website that can be loaded with photos, charts, reports, maps, relationships, events and stories. Just add names of your relatives & ancestors or import a GEDCOM file and instantly create your free family tree. Your site can create custom newsletters for each member with birthday and anniversary reminders, recent site activity and send them out every two weeks.”
You can share/copy your family tree to any of these by importing a GEDCOM file from any other site, and instantly create/duplicate your family tree.
FamilySearch.org is another on-line site where you can create a family tree. It is my understanding that, not only is it on-line, but that anyone in the world can add/change “your” tree. It is a shared tree. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints manages FamilySearch.org. You can send in corrections for them to consider changing.
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