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bailey216
22-08-2017, 9:13 AM
Hi

What do people recommend as the best software to go for? I use Ancestry online so want something I can use that's compatible.

Thanks

Megan Roberts
22-08-2017, 9:21 AM
When you say compatible, do you mean that you want to be able to sync your tree between your computer and Ancestry?

If so then you need to look at Mackiev's FTM2017, and I think that RootsMagic is also now able to do so.

The only one I know anything about is FTM2017 and that works fine for me.

If you are not looking to sync your trees then there are lots of other options to choose from. Its generally a question of personal preference.

emmteeyess
22-08-2017, 3:03 PM
When you say compatible, do you mean that you want to be able to sync your tree between your computer and Ancestry?

If so then you need to look at Mackiev's FTM2017,

The only one I know anything about is FTM2017 and that works fine for me.



I'd also say MacKiev's FTM2017 is worth a go. I'd preordered it as an upgrade from FTM2014, which Ancestry stopped supporting, while Mackiev took over and developed it as the 2017 version. Had it now for a few weeks and it all seems so be working right and synchs correctly over 3 different trees I have on Ancestry.
All my images and source refs came over too which was a big relief! and can be viewed from the media file independant of the program (ie with Windows Picture Viewer)
It's got some nice tree, charting and reporting features and a print/save to pdf ability. Plus a colour coding feature you can switch on for an individual to track family lines back.
All seem to be operating ok.
As I said I upgraded from the 2014 version so not sure how you'd get it from scratch - but google will know!

Cheers, MTS

tony vines
22-08-2017, 8:48 PM
You do not say what operating system you use at home. Are you on Windows or Mac? I ask because not all software is compatible with both systems

Pam Downes
22-08-2017, 9:15 PM
I would throw in a word of caution about putting your tree online (i.e. on Ancestry) and about whether you show it as public or private.

Pam

bailey216
23-08-2017, 7:44 AM
Hi, yes it is private

bailey216
23-08-2017, 7:45 AM
Windows unfortunately I would love a Mac but they just so expensive!!! :-(

emmteeyess
23-08-2017, 9:38 AM
I would throw in a word of caution about putting your tree online (i.e. on Ancestry) and about whether you show it as public or private.

Pam

This is probably the topic for a separate thread (I'm sure it is somewhere) but I run my tree on Ancestry as public access and feel I get more contacts from that than if it was private - I can't quantitfy that, mind.
It is galling sometimes when whole chunks of my tree are copied over, especially if they're used wrongly - but that doesn't make my tree wrong - it just means I have to be vigilent in following the leafy leads (which I am anyway). If all trees were private it would make sharing info and making new (correct) discoveries very difficult.
I also have a suspician that some people run an edited/abridged public tree to attract leads and contacts and keep a detailed, more personal version private - again I can't quantify that, it's just something I seem to see clues towards.
Guess this argument could run and run!


Windows unfortunately I would love a Mac but they just so expensive!!! :-(

Seems FMT2017 has both Windows and Mac versions - so you could probably swop over if you came into an inheritance!

Cheers, MTS

tony vines
23-08-2017, 6:55 PM
As a Windows user you have a far wider choice and the software is cheaper, generally, than that available for Macs. I imagine that as long as your choice can produce a Gedcom version of your tree it can be uploaded or downloaded anywhere. After those thoughts I think that most software providers allow you to use their software on a try before you buy basis. You will only be able to load a limited number of records during the trial period possibly but over the trial period you should be able to work out which you feel most comfortable with.

Lisa McCoy
01-10-2019, 9:03 AM
Wow the digital age has really arrived and helped all!

Jessie 888
01-10-2019, 3:16 PM
Personally, I use Family Historian which also has a very helpful user group! I tend to work with it on my home computer then transfer an updated gedcom to Ancestry every now and then.

tony vines
01-10-2019, 9:47 PM
Wow the digital age has really arrived and helped all!

It certainly has Lisa but I've been using genealogy software for over 15 years and I'm sure that others on this forum can beat that. Without looking at my own profile (tricky to do while you're replying) I'd guess that this digital forum has been around in one form or another, and under different ownerships for at least that long.

Genealogy is one hobby that has used digital technology to great advantage from early days.

Welcome to the forum.

Tony

P.S. Yes, I just found that I'm coming up to the 15th anniversary of my joining this forum

Guy Etchells
02-10-2019, 5:11 PM
The first genealogy program I used was A-Gene on the Commodore Amiga in the late 1980s, I later transferred to a second-hand IBM 5150 PC in the early 90s with my first family history website online in around 1987.

There was not much FH online in those days but it was there mainly on private sites if you searched.

Cheers
Guy

tony vines
02-10-2019, 7:51 PM
They never produced a FH program suitable for my Sinclair ZX80 but then it used to overheat if I typed a sentence as long as this one. To be fair I wasn't into genealogy when I bought that anyway (still got it and don't know what to do with it). I am very impressed that you created a genealogy website in 1987 though Guy.

Lesley Robertson
03-10-2019, 5:40 AM
There was nothing for my Acorn Atom (luxury version with 12K on board), but when I graduated to the BBC B, Brother’s Keeper worked reasonably well. My first on-line genealogy experience, down a phone-based modem, was USENET and soc.genealogy,uk+ireland and soc.roots.