Date Posted:10:29:34 02/28/09 Sat Author: Deemus Subject: Genealogy programs
I don't know if this is the right place for this question, but if it isn't, maybe someone can direct me elsewhere. Has anyone out there used any program--software, or on line--for sorting and storing genealogical info, including pictures? I know there used to be programs you could buy, and I also know there are websites on the topic. I am mainly looking for organization and storage right now, rather than searching, but that could change if I can get things sorted out. We are getting a new computer, courtesy of our daughter (as a birthday present), and it will be a Dell, so we can order what we want or need on it. Is there anything different it should have for stuff like this? More memory, a different kind of anything? You can see that I don't know a whole lot about computers, although I've learned enough to deal with them fairly well at work. Any suggestions from anyone would be most welcome!
[>
Hey Deemus, I do genealogy all the time. I use Family Tree Maker. I don't always think it's the best program, but I have used it for so long that I am used to it. It was very user friendly when it first came out, but now, it is a little more complicated. Inside for other ideas. -- Martian Barb, 08:43:43 03/03/09 Tue [1]
I also had a Legacy program which was on my son's computer when he got it. He did not want it, so he gave it to me. I found it to be very hard to use although, it had some really good documents that you could download to retrieve information from famiy members.
The problem I have had with Family Tree Maker is the upgrades. The older ones were fine, but the new upgrades have been a little unstable and when you have over 18,000 people in your family tree, you want a stable program! FTM is easy to use when you want to create trees or to download a specific family line. It also holds so much information.
I have not downloaded or ordered the newest FTM because I am still not good with the newest version of it. There are times when I really want the older versions because it is easy to use. The other problem that I had using FTM was converting to the newest version. It was a good thing that I had several back up discs because, I lost all of my information trying to convert to the enw version.
All in all, I still prefer Family Tree Maker but I don't download the program. I always buy the disc which you can get at their web site.
Have fun searching for your family. It is so much fun to do. E-mail me if you have any other questions.
[ Post a Reply to This Message ] [Edit] [> [>
I forgot to say that the genealogy files are very large. Back up frequently! I learned the hard way, but my cousin saved me. We share information all the time so I really did not lose that much information. I also do n't store pictures on FTM. It's way too much information. I always save pictures on a separate file and disc. I now have a separate hard drive to hold the information on it also. -- Martian Barb who is VERY protective of her genealogy files!, 08:55:24 03/03/09 Tue [1]
[> [> [>
Thanks, Martian Barb. I'll check that one out. I would like to store pictures, too, but maybe that will take too much space. I'll remember your warning about backing up info. -- Deemus, 08:32:45 03/07/09 Sat [1]
