So you’ve decided to investigate your family history. Maybe you’ve already started gathering information from your family members, or looking online for more information. Perhaps you’ve even progressed to searching public records through sites such as The Records Project or Public Records Pro. But halt! Before you go further, you should seriously consider getting family tree software to help organize and pull together your data.
Considerations for Choosing Genealogy Software
There are many advantages to using genealogy software. Not only is it an easy way to enter and store data in an organized fashion, many programs also allow you to present it in a variety of formats—beautiful trees, easy-to-read charts, or even your very own Family History Book. They also make data-sharing easy, with some programs even providing tools for Internet publication.
So how to go about choosing the right family tree software for you? The first step is checking whether a program works on your operating system, be it Windows, Macintosh, or even a handheld. Then, consider whether you want a relatively straightforward, intuitive program—which may have less capabilities—or one that allows a full range of features and customization capabilities. It is also helpful to consider what your goal is: do you want to publish online? Print a beautiful book to pass on for generations? Or is this just a small hobby for spare moments?
Obviously, if you are a beginner you may want a relatively simple and therefore easy-to-use program. Genealogy software can be free or for purchase, with high-end programs nearing $100. As a beginner, you may want to begin with the free and relatively simple programs then progress to more powerful, expensive software. Many purchasable programs, however, offer free trials, so it is also possible to try a program before purchasing it—for those who want to jump straight into the more complex programs or for those who are already master genealogists with specific needs.
Reviews of Popular Family History Software
Now that you’ve thought about what kind of software you are looking for, you are ready to search for genealogy software. There are many in-depth reviews available, both online and in print, so this article will briefly describe a few programs that you may want to peruse.
Some programs are relatively simple to use, even for beginners. Family Tree Maker is a popular program with an intuitive design, which also allows Internet publication; Ancestral Quest has step-by-step tutorials and makes online collaboration with other researchers effortless. There are also many free genealogy software available that can easily be searched for online.
Both Legacy Family Tree and RootsMagic are programs that are good for beginners and masters alike: they are both easy-to-use and powerful. Legacy Family Tree is available for free download or as a purchasable CD, although some of the most powerful features are only available on the CD version. RootsMagic makes entering and looking at data very easy, with several navigation views and search tools, and includes attractive charts and features for book publishing.
Finally, a tool for the pros is The Master Genealogist. It allows a full range of customization, in-depth documentation and evaluation of sources, and recording of countless details—even DNA test results! As such, it can be quite complex and relatively pricey, making it the pick for experienced genealogists.
