Ben recently wrote about his frustrations with splitting a tree in Family Tree Maker for Mac 2 (FTMM2). I needed to do this for my own tree, so I set about finding the best way to do it. I recently prepared a family tree for my stepmother-in-law and, silly me, included it in my primary file. After reading Ben’s post, I became concerned that splitting that branch from my file would be impossible. As Ben said, many steps are involved, but it’s not impossible. [Read more...]
What Genealogy Software Do We Recommend?
14 Mar 2012 by 10 Comments
When I tell people I don’t recommend Family Tree Maker for Mac 2, they often ask what I do recommend, which is understandable. But I really can’t recommend a genealogy program for other people without knowing what their requirements are. You must first decide what your priorities are. Then you can check on the web to see which programs meet your requirements. You can use Ben’s Feature Comparison Table or FindtheBest.com to find the features you need (but take the Smart Ratings on the latter with a grain of salt). GenSoftReviews.com lists lots of genealogy programs, although not all of them have reviews. But see Tamura Jones’ article, The Most Important Genealogy Software Feature. [Read more...]
New Index Page
25 Feb 2012 by 19 Comments
I changed the family tree maker tutorial index page. Will you look at it for me and give me your feedback? Even if you’re not using that software, I want to know what you think so that I know whether to invest the time it will take to change the index pages for Reunion, RootsMagic, and Family Tree Maker for Mac.
I modeled the index pages after the index in a book. Does this make it easier to find what you’re looking for? Can you think of anything I could do to make it even easier? What else might you want to know on that page?
Please leave me your feedback in a comment on this post or in a quick email.
Adding Names in Family Tree Maker
10 Feb 2012 by 3 Comments
Storing names in genealogy software seems simple enough at first glance, right? While Family Tree Maker makes it comparatively simple, it’s still a bit tricky when adding name variations, AKAs, suffixes, titles, and multi-word surnames.
Learning how to enter names will speed your evidence capture so you can focus on the fun family history activities: research, analysis, and storytelling. Those fun bits will be easier too! All the information and evidence will be organized.
Family Tree Maker for Mac 2 and 2012 Feature Comparison
20 Jan 2012 by 1 Comment
Wondering what’s in Family Tree Maker 2012 and not in Family Tree Maker for Mac 2? I’ve got the answer for you.
I took the Family Tree Maker columns from the Mac Genealogy Software Feature Comparison and PC Genealogy Software Feature Comparison tables. I think this will answer your question about what’s missing from Family Tree Maker for Mac 2.
The Family Tree Maker for Mac 2 and 2012 Feature Comparison is on the Mac Genealogy Software Feature Comparison page.
I would have cut to the chase by putting a short list of the differences here, but I don’t want to keep it updated in more than one place. Click the link above. It will take you directly to the start of the section on the page. You won’t have to search for it.
Holiday Sale 25% off Family Tree Maker 2012
22 Nov 2011 by Leave a Comment
Family Tree Maker 2012 is on sale starting today. A new copy is on sale for %25 off. An upgrade is discounted 30%. Click here to take advantage of the sale price on Family Tree Maker 2012. If you want more information first, see the GenealogyTools.com Family Tree Maker 2012 Buyer’s Guide.
I don’t know if the the Mac version will be similarly discounted after the Family Tree Maker for Mac 2 pre-sale is over.
Comparison of PC Genealogy Software Features
21 Nov 2011 by Leave a Comment
When you’re choosing a new genealogy application it helps to compare the features. It’s also helpful to quickly see which ones support the features essential to your genealogy workflow and practice.
I just compiled a set of tables I hope you’ll find helpful in comparing features of PC genealogy software. I published it on the Family Tree Maker 2012 buyer’s guide page.
My plan is to update the version I have already created for Mac genealogy software and post it in the same way.
Family Tree Maker 2012 Overview Video
22 Oct 2011 by Leave a Comment
The accompanying video will show you the major elements of Family Tree Maker 2012. At its most basic, Family Tree Maker consists of the following workspaces.
- Plan
- People
- Places
- Media
- Sources
- Publish
- Web Search
The workspaces group related features. They are made up of tabbed views and panels that you use to plan, research, analyze, preserve, and share your genealogy.
This video will give you a feel for how Family Tree Maker 2012 looks and operates. This is more helpful than for other genealogy software because there’s no trial version of FTM 2012.
[Read more...]
Recent Comments