Family Atlas Software for Genealogy

[Anne H]

Thought some of you might be interested in looking into this software that allows you to map out your family history events...you can even put pictures and notes on the maps and do all kinds of printouts: http://www.familyatlas.com/

I bought it a few weeks ago from RootsMagic and finally just installed it today, so havent worked my way around it yet, but the tutorial makes it look very easy.

It can be used by importing your data from RootsMagic, PAF, FTM, Legacy or GEDCOM. (Apparently there was an issue discovered that can affect data imported from FTM sometimes causing marker sets not to be saved and suggests you check for updates.

I hope this doesn't constitute advertising...I've nothing to do with the company...just thought it's a great little addition to my family history.

Regards,
Anne H

[Jamboesque]

Anne,

Thanks for info about Family Atlas.

It could be the very thing I'm looking for

Have you played with it a bit more since you installed it?

Does it rely on a Longitude & Latitude reference only to locate a position?
I have used Ordnance Survey referencing as my method of locating individuals events.

I get the impression from the forum on the sellers website that there is not much detail in the maps ie no Rivers, Roads, what about Towns/Villages etc.

I believe you can link to Google Earth to get more info. Does this work OK?

Apologies for the questions but they don't seem to provide a downloadable free demo, or have I missed something ?


Thanks in advance

Jack

[Bob C]

FYI, there is an online help forum at http://www.rootsmagic.com/forums/index.php?showforum=12
and there is a dedicated email discussion list and the archives are located at
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/F ... LAS-USERS/.

There has also been some discussion on this software at
http://www.rootsmagic.com/forums/index.php?showforum=4

I have no affiliation with this company other than being a very satisfied user of its' software.

Bob

[Anne H]

Hi Jack,

Unfortunately, when I first transferred my data into Family Atlas I realized that I had made numerous "place" errors throughout my entire database, so Family Atlas has been on hold. With over 1,200 people in the database, I'm slowly making corrections...when finished, I'll go back to Family Atlas and play with my new toy. So, if nothing else, it's helped me to find a whole lot of errors.

Sorry I can't give you any feedback, but you're right in that there isn't a lot of detail on the maps (no rivers, etc.), and I didn't get as far as linking to Google Earth to see how that works. When I get back to "mapping", I'm sure I'm going to enjoy and make good use of the software.

Take a look at the discussions referred by Bob C and these posts for small towns and villages

http://www.rootsmagic.com/forums/index. ... topic=4222

The tutorial that comes with the software seems to be user friendly and I'll be relying on that a lot when I get back to it.

Regards,
Anne H

[Jamboesque]

Anne & Bob

Thanks for the info.

I had checked the site & forum and I guess I'm just a bit disappointed that there was no free demo to download.

I'm a bit like yourself Anne, in that I'm really nowhere near putting the info onto a mapping system such as this seems to be.

I reckon I will need to record somewhere between 1750 & 2000 people/event locations (BMDs & Census returns).

It can wait...................possibly when they've improved the detailing on the map.

Jack

[Anne H]

Hi Jack,

I played around a little last night and exported my file to Google Earth. Quite impressive seeing all my name places showing up all over the world...somewhat crowded in Scotland. I noticed though that the actual street addresses don't show up on Google Earth but do on Family Atlas and I haven't yet entered any pictures or notes in the file, so don't know if they would show up on Google Earth as they do on Family Atlas. So you can actually create your maps to suit your needs.

It also calculates the distance and has the coordinate converter for Latitude / Longitude (Decimel)/(Degrees, minutes, & seconds)/British National Grid & Irish National Grid...unfortunately, I have no idea of what it all means, so it's wasted on me...I won't use the software to it's full capacity...just don't have the smarts.

Yes, I agree that it would be useful if there was a demo but it does actually do everything it's supposed to as far as I can see and RootsMagic seem to be constantly working on their software to work out any kinks. I really do like it and believe it's well worth the money but for now, I'm going back to sorting out all the errors in my database. It might not be a bad idea to join the DG on RM and ask any questions from the experts.

Regards,
Anne H

[emanday]

How do you export your file to Google Earth, please

[Anne H]

Hi Mary,

Here's the instructions from my Family Atlas software:

Exporting Your Data

Working with Family Atlas Files > Exporting Your Data

Family Atlas lets you export your markers and map information to Google Earth so that you can see your information on satellite projections of the earth.

Choose File > Export > Google Earth from the main menu. Type in the name you wish to call your Google Earth file, taking care that you are in the desired drive and folder where you want the file to be saved. You can mark the checkbox to have Family Atlas automatically open Google Earth with your information loaded.

If you don't already have Google Earth installed on your computer, you can download it for free from:

http://earth.google.com/

Regards,
Anne H

[emanday]

Thanks Anne,

Haven't got Family Atlas yet, but have been thinking about it. Maybe it could be quite useful if it can export to Google Earth.

Have to consult the oracles, (i.e. bank balance and credit card)

[Anne H]

My pleasure, Mary.

I'm sure it will be very useful to someone who is more knowledgeable than myself, but once I start using the software I'll probably discover all kinds of little goodies.

Regards,
Anne H