Best Software for producing complicated family tree charts?

claudette · Post by **claudette** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:04 am

Can anyone recommend which software is best for producing a complicated family tree chart?

I would like to produce a drop-down family tree chart. My researches at present go back to around 1750 and there are, not surprisingly, quite a few family members - including my great-great-great-grandfather who married twice and had 7 children with his first wife and 3 children with the second wife. So researching all of his offspring has kept me quiet for ages!

I have got Family Tree Maker at present but have not managed to get both of his families included on any family tree charts. I think that's because it makes you specify which spouse is the preferred spouse and then only includes that particular family, which is frustrating.

I would dearly like to be able to produce complete family tree charts from 1750 using the computer if possible rather than having to do it by hand - then I can easily add more ancestors if and when I find them. I appreciate I wouldn't get it all on one A4 piece of paper but I do have a big roll of sellotape!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Kind regards
Claudette

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:37 am

Hi Claudette
Don't know if it is the best to use, but Legacy 7 now includes a much better range of charting options that they used to. For a while the trial verison was free to download and try, but I think that has expired now..not sure...
http://www.legacycharting.com/
With samples here: http://www.legacycharting.com/samples.htm

It is now a part of Legacy 7, full version only; not the standard (free) version. Full verison is very reasonably priced though.

If you are still able to try it out, that would probably be the best thing; it takes a wee while to explore how you can alter the basic charts.

Looks to be still available:http://www.legacycharting.com/download.asp

Legacy Charting (deluxe edition) is included with Legacy Family Tree 7.0 at no extra cost. It is simply installed when you install Legacy 7.0.

If you do not have Legacy 7.0, that's okay! You can download Legacy Charting (standard edition) for free.

Best wishes
Lesley
p.s. I don't work for Legacy!

I've just used the program for years! And you know what they say..."better the devil you know..."

margarita · Post by **margarita** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:32 am

Hello Claudette,

I use Family Historian http://tinyurl.com/2a8pdu

which has very good charting facilities. You can download a demo version from the site to play around with.

There is also a Family Historian User Group which has a very good Forum. Members there will give good advice on building the diagram you want.

maggie

P.S. Just remembered - you can produce an Everyone tree which show - well- everyone in the file!!

Post by **Anne H** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:03 pm

Hi Claudette,

I have to agree with Lesley on this one. I'm relatively new to Legacy 7 but can honestly say it's the best software I've ever used. I have the Deluxe version, and yes, the charting programme will show all spouses and family from all marriages.

Regards,
Anne H

claudette · Post by **claudette** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:54 pm

Thank you all so much for your recommendations.

I have been disappointed that my present software "wasn't up to the job" and am relieved to know that I even have a choice of product.

Well - getting the family tree chart sorted out will keep me quiet for a bit longer - the family will be pleased as I'll be too busy to nag them about other things!

Many thanks again.

Kind regards
Claudette

Post by **AnneM** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:25 pm

Hi

I go with Family Historian which I find has good charts and reports and is also dead easy to use.

Anne