Software

suzyblu · Post by **suzyblu** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:40 pm

Hi everyone

I am slowly getting lots of information which is brilliant but having problems organising it. Does anybody have any recommendations for a family tree software or how to organise it without it looking messy!

S

Post by **emanday** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:55 pm

Hi suzyblu,

I use Family Tree Maker and am very happy with it, but you'll find that other members also use other ones.

You could try downloading those that offer free trial versions and see which one suits you best.

Post by **SarahND** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:26 pm

Hi Suzyblu,
If you have a Macintosh computer, Reunion is brilliant.

Regards,
Sarah

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:53 pm

Hi Suzyblu
Legacy is pretty good and the standard version is free with no time limit or a limit on numbers of people you can input.
www.legacyfamilytree.com

The upgrade to the full version is very reasonably priced too.

The other free progam is Personal Ancestral File available from the family search site. Don't know my way round it though, so can't comment on how good it is.

Best wishes
Lesley

Post by **Anne H** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:42 pm

Hi Suzyblu,

As you've found out, there are several software packages out there to choose from and people like different software programmes for different reasons. I've used three different packages in the past and my choice is with Legacy. I've used it for about a year and find it very easy to use.

Good luck with your decision.

Regards,
Anne H

wini · Post by **wini** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:49 am

And I am a user of Family Historian, which I think is great.

wini

daj · Post by **daj** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:04 pm

SarahND wrote:Hi Suzyblu,
If you have a Macintosh computer, Reunion is brilliant.

Regards,
Sarah

Sarah

Have you tried the MacFamilyTree (http://www.synium.de/products/macfamilytree/index.html)? Just wondering how it compares. I am really enjoying using MacFamily Tree but I would prefer a better print out of the tree.

I did look at Reunion however the demo does not allow you to import any data so I could not get a feel for how it would work. It's also more expensive at $99 whereas MacFamilyTree was $49

Post by **SarahND** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:56 pm

Hi David,
I haven't tried MacFamilyTree, so I'm not sure of the pros and cons. What sort of problems are you running into with chart printout?

I've been using Reunion since I started in genealogy, but have really only scratched the surface in terms of its capabilities. One nice thing is that it is easy to get it up and running without knowing anything about the powerful customizing features!

If Roger "theKiwi" sees this post, I'm sure he will have more to say. He is a regular contributor to the ReunionTalk forum (whereas I just passively read it!) and has done a lot with the program.

All the best,
Sarah

daj · Post by **daj** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:28 pm

Hi Sarah

I find the only feature missing is a fully family tree print out -- not just descendents or ancestors, but everyone on the tree.

Can Reunion do that?

Other than that I think it is really good.

Post by **SarahND** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:02 pm

Hi David,
Yes, I believe it can do that. There is a chart called a "Relative Chart" that will include siblings, etc. You can specify how many generations and "prune" the tree in any way you like. Here is the introductory blurb from the manual:

What Is a Relative Chart?
A relative chart is a graphic document that begins with one person (the source person) and includes all of the source person's blood relatives. The chart moves backward and forward in time — up and down the tree for a specified number of generations in both directions. The relative chart combines elements of both descendant and pedigree charts. It does not include the blood relatives of the spouse of the source person, such as his/her ancestors.

Obviously, if you want to get the spouse's ancestors, you go down one generation to the children and do a chart of that person's relatives.

Hope this helps,
Sarah