family tree maker

[jirwin]

Hi;

It looks to me like there are a couple of different software products called Family Tree Maker. I have Family Tree Maker (FTM) version 11 from Broderbund. I've looked at the Broderbund web site and don't see Genealogy software listed.

Does anyone know if they sold the product or just stopped making it?

Anyone have any thoughts on later versions of FTM (if its still being produced)?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Ed Bradford]

Jeff, a few years back Broderbund sold the Family Tree Maker line of software products to Ancestry. I've had the FTM software since version 3 and I'm satisfied with it. The version that I currently have is a generation or two old. They are just coming out with a new version which I'll be ordering shortly. I've noticed that it takes a while for the stores to get the new version so I always order it from their web site.

http://www.familytreemaker.com/

...............Ed

[Mike_E]

Just been looking at the beta version, I was tempeted to download a copy, but it's 170Mg, and as my broadband is more narrow than broad, I guess I'll wait.

It looks very like the tree you can upload onto Ancestry. I've used a few differnet programs, and still have a demo copy of legacy, as I find I can export data in a format that the Iowa family research project can use without having to edit it.

Users of earlier versions of Family Tree Maker may be confused about the origins of the program, so here is a quick potted version of its history.

* Jan 1994 First version launched by Banner Blue Software
* Oct 1994 Second version published by Banner Blue Software
May 1995 Banner Blue Software was acquired by Broderbund
Oct 1985 saw the launch of Family Tree Maker v3
Aug 1998 Broderbund acquired by The Learning Company and FTM v5 published
May 1999 The Learning Company was acquired by Mattel Incorporated and FTM v6 published.
Autumn 1999 Mattel formed Genealogy
April 2003 Genealogy.com was acquired by MyFamily.com and in the late Summer FTM v11 was published.
August 2004 MyFamily launched Family Tree Maker 2005 in the USA
October 2004 MyFamily will launch Family Tree Maker 2005 in the UK
Autumn 2005 My Family launched Family Tree Maker 2006 in the UK
August 2007 Ancestry launches Family Tree Maker 2008 in the UK


Mike

[MarkJ]

It looks very like the tree you can upload onto Ancestry. I've used a few differnet programs, and still have a demo copy of legacy, as I find I can export data in a format that the Iowa family research project can use without having to edit it.



Looking at the Legacy website, they still seem to offer the Standard version free of charge -
http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/

I used Legacy a few years ago and found it quite a reasonable program.
No idea about FTM (or indeed later versions of Legacy) though.

Mark

[Ladkyis]

I use FTM 2006 and I love it. It suits me I am familiar with the layout and the way it works and that is really what it all boils down to.

Whatever suits your family tree is the best for you.

[Ed Bradford]

I was up on the FTM web site and noticed that the new version of Family Tree Maker, 2008, requires XP or Vista operating systems. Before you upgrade you might want to check out the harware requirements as well. ..........Ed

[jirwin]

Good thought Ed. I'm running XP on an old (two years) PC. I'll check out the web site.

Thanks,

Jeff