Genealogy apps should always follow the GEDCOM standard, right? You’d be justified in thinking that if you’ve read many of my articles, and generally speaking, apps should follow the standard, especially 5.5.1, since GEDCOM 5.5 is obsolete. However, what should apps do when there are mistakes in the standard? Should they import, export, and/or validate GEDCOM files strictly according to the standard, or according to how the standard should have been? This is a letter versus spirit of the law question, and the answer depends on the mistake in question and the purpose of the app. [Read more…] about The Event Structure in GEDCOM Files
Other Software
Family Tree Maker 2017 Review
Family Tree Maker* (FTM) 2017 was officially released 16 July 2017. The 19 months since December 2015 when Ancestry.com announced the retirement of Family Tree Maker have been a bumpy road for the venerable genealogy application. All support for FTM and connectivity with Ancestry were to have ended by 1 Jan 2017. [Read more…] about Family Tree Maker 2017 Review
Software MacKiev to Release New Syncing Technology in Family Tree Maker 2017 — But Not in Older Versions
If you’ve been following the news about Family Tree Maker, you’ll know that a brand new version, Family Tree Maker 2017 for both Mac and Windows, is set to be released on 31 March 2017. This new version will include the replacement to TreeSync, called FamilySync. What you may not know is that TreeSync will stop working on 29 March 2017; however, all prior editions and versions of FTM will not receive updates including the new FamilySync technology. Melanie Mayo, Family History Daily Editor, has posted a good write-up explaining the implications. [Read more…] about Software MacKiev to Release New Syncing Technology in Family Tree Maker 2017 — But Not in Older Versions
Family Tree Maker Updates Officially Released [Updated 1 Jan 2017]
Note: This article was updated on 1 Jan 2017 to include additional information from Software MacKiev.
Less than a year after Software MacKiev acquired the Family Tree Maker (FTM) software from Ancestry.com and promised to improve both the Mac and Windows versions with bug fixes and performance improvements, they have fulfilled their commitment and officially released final versions of the updates. People who signed up for the FTM newsletter should be receiving an email from Software MacKiev president, Jack Minsky, announcing the release (I received mine last night). [Read more…] about Family Tree Maker Updates Officially Released [Updated 1 Jan 2017]
Family Tree Software Alternatives, Part 5: MacFamilyTree 10 (Updated 4 April 2022)
Details about MacFamilyTree 10*
Application: MacFamilyTree
Current Version: 10
Supported OS: Mac
Mobile Apps: iPhone/iPad/iPod touch (MobileFamily Tree)
Price: $69.99 (limited demo available), $29.99 (MobileFamily Tree)
Publisher: Synium Software
Website: http://www.syniumsoftware.com
GenSoftReviews: 4.15 stars out of 5