iPhone and Genealogy

[mfwebb]

If you’re wondering why I’m writing about a mobile phone in this forum, then you are under the mistaken belief that the iPhone is just a fancy mobile phone. The iPhone is a pocket sized mini-computer that just happens to also have the ability to handle telephone calls and text messages.

I contributed to a post yesterday where someone was extolling the virtues of an iPhone application to read your A**y tree on line. I don’t have my tree on A**y and I expressed my views about it; but it got me searching around.

I found a genealogy application for the iPhone called Shrubs which allows you to import a GedCom file from whatever programme you use on your computer and view it in a stand-alone programme on the iPhone. Great as a referral tool when you’re on the move in record offices or wandering around graveyards, as I often do. There are a couple of other applications which do a similar thing but I opted for Shrubs because there is a comprehensive review about it at: blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2009/06/shrubs-a-genealogy-program-for-the-iphone.html?cid=6a00d8341c767353ef0115713ab347970b

There is no facility in Shrubs to update your tree on the iPhone and export it as a GedCom file back to your PC, but there is a facility to make notes in the programme and e-mail the notes back to yourself for later use.

This does exactly what I have been looking for – provides me with a reference of all my data from my Brother’s Keeper database whilst on the move. It is not a free application but for the price of a couple of beers, or coffees in my case as a non-drinker, it is well worth it.

I can’t wait to get out and about with all my genealogy stored in my pocket :)

[mfwebb]

Firstly, I apologise for having posted a commercial URL -- I hadn't realised this was a commercial site, I was posting it as a link to an independent review of a genealogy programme.

Since yesterday I have tried another iPhone genealogy app for viewing your GedCom files on the iPhone. This one is called GedView. It imports far more detail for viewing than the other programme, "Shrubs". Gedview imports your notes whereas Shrubs doesn't. Gedview also has the facility to amend your GedCom and upload it back to your PC -- not a facility I would contemplate using but others may find it useful.

In my opinion, GedView is the far better programme of the two and is also half the price -- £5.99 for Shrubs and £2.99 for GedView. I shall keep both on my iPhone, but GedView is the one I shall be referring to "on the move".

[Gill Hart]

Thanks for the review Malcolm - I have an ipod touch and was thinking of downloading one of the genealogy apps but hadn't made up my mind as to which one to choose.

Will download Gedview and see how I get on......

Gill

[tony vines]

...and what about the iPad!

[Erlang]

...and what about the iPad!

It looks very nice, and the Iphone/Pod app will run on it straight away.

[Erlang]

I can confirm the Ancestry Iphone App and the Reunion Iphone App both run on the Ipad, and can be scaled up to fill the larger Ipad screen.

I also read that Reunion plan a totally new IPAD version soon.

[MarkJ]

I also read that Reunion plan a totally new IPAD version soon.

The cynical amongst us might suspect that an Ipad only version is a way to make Apple customers pay twice for the same product... ;)

[Dalensue]

Hi

I can also recommend the Gedview app. We bought that one before the Ancestry one was available and now have both. However, for simplicity we still use the Gedview one. As you mention, it is great to have your whole tree in your pocket whilst as libraries, cemeteries and the like.

Have fun now

[Ohren_search]

I have Gedview as well and it is pretty useful for handy reference on the go. I found it very handy when I was at the London Met Archives the other day. I wonder what some archives' "no mobile phones" policies will make of the use of such apps? For my part I switched the phone onto Airplane mode while I was in there.

[mfwebb]

I have Gedview as well and it is pretty useful for handy reference on the go. I found it very handy when I was at the London Met Archives the other day. I wonder what some archives' "no mobile phones" policies will make of the use of such apps? For my part I switched the phone onto Airplane mode while I was in there.

That's what I do also -- switch to "Airplane Mode" in archives. I haven't been challenged about using my iPhone.

I have 2 apps on my iPhone -- GedView & Shrubs -- and I use both. Gedview stores far more information when importing a GedCom and so is more useful when on the move, but Shrubs has by far the better interface and is much easier to navigate through a family. GedView is half the price and is the one I would recommend if anyone hasn't ventured so far yet.

Shrubs is long overdue for an update. I have been in touch with the developer about improvements etc and the likely time for an update, as Shrubs would be my preferred app. He is conscious of the need for an update and has promised several improvements with the new version -- but can't commit to a time frame for the update.

In the absence of the update, I would not recommend anyone to purchase Shrubs at £5.99.

[Erlang]

The Iphone/Ipad App formally known as "Trees to Go" has had an overhaul and is now known as Ancestry (it's their tool). It works best with the Ipad as they make use of the increased screen real estate.

I used it all day at the TNA and found it very useful, but Gedview does very similar functions, it depends if you have a subscription I suppose.