This article is no longer relevant.
I’m not sure I’m satisfying your needs. Since starting MacGenealogist.com in July, I’ve been making some assumptions about what genealogy database software you’re using. I’ve based the ratio of genealogy database application coverage on those assumptions. I may be wrong and I don’t need to assume. I’d like to correct that now.
I’ve created a poll with one question: “What is your primary genealogy database?” If you’re reading this article as an email, please visit the site and answer the question. The poll is on the right side of the page. Simply select your answer from the list and click the “vote” button. It will take you less than 10 seconds to do this and you will benefit from my better understanding of your needs. I’m not going to leave the poll open long, so please don’t wait. Please take the poll now. I appreciate your time and attention.
As a relatively recent convert to the Mac world, I just wanted to say “Thanks” for keeping up this blog!
You're welcome Amy. Welcome to the Mac.
—-Ben
Thanks for asking. It may be though that you are attracting more of these two segments (Reunion and iFamily) because your support is so wonderful.
I've used Reunion since 1994, and I have still learned from you!
You may get two comments saying the same thing because I just lost one when trying to post it!
I use ifamily which is excellent. I also use Bee Docs Timeline to create interesting timelines and sort out information. It is not a genealogy programme but it does the job well and it is a programme for the Mac.
Recently I used it to enter information from the parish records and the overseers accounts for a surname in a village in Somerset (England). It helped sort out the families and added more flesh to the bones. You can link entries to web pages and you can put in image backgrounds or colour ones. You can even make it into a film but I have never been able to make use of that function.
It might be of interest to some people. I have no connection to the company by the way.
http://www.beedocuments.com/index.php
I have been using Reunion for at least 10 years and your videos have given me a better understanding of some of the features of the program I have not used. Please keep up the tutorials for Reunion. And thank you for all the ones you have produced so far. I love them!
I have used Reunion software since day one and I am very happy to have found MacGenealogist.com….I have learned several new things which I put into use immediately! Keep up the good work!
I use PAF because I started with it several years ago and found it easy to use and quite adequate. I also use Reunion for some of its additional features.
Thank you for your wonderful videos. I have used Reunion since the 1st version, but your help has really opened my eyes to the hidden features of the program. I look forward to your clips. Thanks again.
Long-time MAC user. Long-time Reunion user. Love them both. REALLY appreciate your tutorials. Look forward each day to learning something new or having a refresher on some things. PLEASE keep up the good work
Thanks also for your site. I just started using iFamily for Leopard after using Reunion for the past few years. I like both of them, and really appreciate your handy research and videos about various programs. Keep it up.
I'm actually using Family Tree Maker in Windows on my Mac using VMWare Fusion and Boot Camp.
I am also a recent convert to the Mac. I have been using Family Tree Maker for the past decade and continue to use it on the Mac with Fusion VMware. I have a lot of information on the Family Tree Maker and am concerned about losing any info if I were to convert to a Mac based genealogy program. I was recently at a genealogy conference which had a Mac users meeting. Unfortunately, there did not seem to be a raving endorsement of any Mac genealogy program among those who were using them.
Donde, I wondered the same thing when I thought through how to collect the information.
Thanks for the feedback.
—-Ben
Beejay, thank you for sharing your idea. Great minds think alike. 😉 I've had this on my to-do list since August 25th!
—-Ben
Thanks Lori!
Sharon, I'm glad you found MacGenealogist.com too. Thank you for the encouragement.
—-Ben
Gene, I know at least a couple more MacGenealogists are using PAF. What's keeping you from switching entirely to Reunion or any other application?
—-Ben
You're welcome Shirley. Thank you for the feedback.
—-Ben
Thanks Ann.
—-Ben
I'm glad to help, Karen. Thanks for the encouragement.
—-Ben
Donner, thank you for that additional information! Do you think there are any more opportunities for me to help people that are using Windows applications on Mac like you?
—-Ben
Alex, the state of genealogy applications on the Mac is maturing, but will not meet everyone's needs. I hope my reviews and the software feature comparison help you consider the options. If not, please let me know what I can do to help.
—-Ben
Well, let me give you a little background. I've been using FTM for about 10 years. It seems to suit my need, but I'm not really married to it. The thing is that the rest of my family is on Windows also uses FTM, so it's easy to share files. I wouldn't mind trying one of the Mac-based programs. It's a shame that the big players on both the Mac and Windows sides don't make genealogy programs that work on both platforms.
I have been using a Mac and Reunion for about six years. I have also tried the other Mac based programs. All have strengths and faults. Reunion seems to be the one for me, though I really wish that they had the ability to prepare trees similar to the FTM. None of the Mac based programs seem to make a really nice tree.