We had several good conversations at our Genealogy Networking Group last week.
Our big topic was: what will we do now that Family Tree Maker will no longer be supported by Ancestry after January 2017? There was no consensus, but we looked at five different software packages:
– Legacy Family Tree (Windows only)
– Family Historian (Windows only)
– Ancestral Quest (Windows and Mac)
– My Heritage (Windows and Mac)
– Roots Magic (Windows and Mac)
All of the packages except (Family Historian) have free versions but without all the bells and whistles. Family Historian offers a 30 day free trial. Most of the packages have special deals, including tutorials, for Family Tree Maker owners wanting to switch over. On the Roots Magic website they say they are offering to work with Ancestry but it doesn’t sound like any deal is forthcoming. My Heritage Family Tree Builder will sync with the My Heritage website. Family Tree Magazine has a pretty good Genealogy Software Guide, too.
This is a time of flux in the genealogy software world. Make your best choice, and make sure to back up all your research in a separate place. The data you have is the most important thing.
The rest of our meeting was taken up with sharing what we’re working on now and our goals for the coming year. Some of us will try our hand at writing, some are researching elusive ancestors or verifying someone else’s research. Other projects for the coming year include having our DNA tested, organizing, digitizing and preserving photos, picking up loose ends or trying new technologies like Facebook. It looks like a full year for all of us. If you’re feeling inspired or want to get in on the fun, you are welcome to join us at our next meeting on Thursday, February 4 at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room at Cook Park Library.
Categories: Genealogy
