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I have been using Family Tree Maker for over 15 years and love it. The latest two versions have added dozens of new features and carefully integrated Family Tree Maker software with a variety of online databases and search engines. The advantage of this program is that it provides a common platform to document, store and display my family history. I originally made all of my notes on a variety of forms, charts and notepads and then stored them in binders and file folders. To say the least my records were disorganized and I didn’t know where to find anything I was looking for.
As soon as I bought my first version of Family Tree Maker and started to load my family’s history I realized the benefits of using this software to document and store my heritage. With the controls that Family Tree Maker provides, my documentation has become much more reliable and complete. The program forced me to use a common date format for all the dates in the system. I can be sure that 4 June 1952 is what I recorded and not confuse it with April 6, 1952. Entering family names are automatically checked for accidental spelling errors. The system even confirms with me if I enter the same given name twice in the same family group.
As my family tree research became more sophisticated Family Tree Maker gave me the tools to properly document the sources for my research. This tool alone made me far more productive and confident in the quality of my research. As I upgraded to later versions of Family Tree Maker I was able to add photos, sound bytes and even videos to my family history. I also added electronic copies of Marriage Certificates, Military documents, Church records and Census records; basically anything that I can capture on a PC can be added to your Family Tree database. All of this information adds depth and substance to the family stories that I can pass on to my children and grandchildren.
I have also taken advantage of the automatic connection to Ancestry.com and the thousands of online documents and other genealogy tools, tips and techniques that are accessible through the program. Looking back, I realize that Family Tree Maker has made a huge difference in my research and the family history that I have compiled. The heritage that I have captured is a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
Getting Started
Whether you buy your copy of Family Tree Maker online or at a store, I'm sure that you will be pleased with your purchase. There are a variety of versions available at your computer or software store. Most of the differences between versions sold computer stores is related to the number of services or CDs that are provided with the purchase. Some versions come with additional CD titles like:
- FamilyFinder Index (4 CD-ROM disks)
- Social Security Death Index (2 CD-ROM disks) )
- Family History: Mid-Atlantic Genealogies 1340 – 1940 )
- Family History: Southern Biographies and Genealogies 1500 – 1940s )
- Local and Family Histories: New England 1600s – 1900s )
- Military Records: U.S. Soldiers 1784 – 1811 )
- Military Records: Massachusetts Civil War Soldiers & Sailors 1861 – 1865 )
- U.S/International Marriage Records 1560 – 1900 )
- Canadian Genealogy Index 1600s – 1900s )
- Passenger and Immigration Lists, New York 1820 – 1850 )
- Naturalization records: Philadelphia 1789 – 1880 )
- World Family Tree: European Origins, Volume E1 ) and even
- World Family Tree: - Volumes 30A, 30B and L1 )
This is by no means a comprehensive list of CDs that are available. But, I'm sure that you will admit that there is a wide variety of history here that will likely help you uncover someone in your past.
Other packages include access to Ancestry.com's huge genealogy related databases. The time that these databases are available to you (free of additional charges) varies depending on the version you choose. Some have 14 day free access, while others include up to 6 months unlimited access.
Installation of the program is very straight forward: simply insert the CD into your PC and answer a few prompts and within a minute or two the software is loaded. Be sure to check the box you purchase to make sure that the version is compatible with your computer characteristics (i.e. operating system, hard disk space etc.). The specifications state that Family Tree Maker version 11.0 will function properly on a 500 MHz Intel Pentium II (or equivalent) with only 512 megabytes of memory and 500 MB of hard disk space running Windows 7, XP or Vista. However, the recommended system has 1GHz Intel Pentium III (or equivalent) with 1 gigabyte of memory and 500 MB of hard disk space running Windows 7, XP or Vista. The program is delivered on CD, so a minimum 2X CD-ROM drive is required.
As soon as the software is loaded the system starts a Tutorial that introduces you to the program, its features and how best to take advantage of them. This tutorial is available anytime so you can refer back to it whenever necessary. The tutorials cover all of the basics and I think give a good overview of "how to get started" entering your ancestors immediately. Take the time to review these tutorials to get the most out of you software.
After viewing the tutorial it's time to start entering your family tree. If you are brand new to computer based genealogy then you will be shown a mini-pedigree chart. Simply start by filling in your name, parents and grandparents. The system will prompt you for birthdates, death dates and associated places for each individual that you entered. At this point the program will show a small leaf beside each name. This leaf suggests that you check out the CDs or Ancestry.com for any information that matches this family member. Simply click on the leaf beside any family member. The first time you access Ancestr.com you will be prompted to register your software and provide your name, username, password, and e-mail address. I suggest that you take advantage of the access and provide that information. Make sure that you remember your username and password.
If you are just upgrading from an earlier version of Family Tree Maker the system will automatically load your previous family tree to the current version. If you were using another program like Personal Ancestral File® or Legacy Family Tree® (to name a few) you can easily import those family trees into Family Tree Maker. Simply click on the File menu and choose "Import As New Tree" and follow the prompts. It's as simple as that!. Now you too are ready to use the power of Family Tree Maker to uncover your heritage.
Now The Fun Begins!
Start following the leads that Ancestry.com provides. Many will not be related to you. However, you never know when one of the search results will lead you to a whole family line that you didn't know existed. Carefully review and record the results you follow in a research log; even if it's a dead end. That way, if you stumble across this same search result later you will know that you have already followed this lead and won't have to do it again. Keep a separate research log of every family or family group. Keep following the trail as far as you can and remember to document each source that you uncover. Take copies of important papers like Marriage Certificates, birth and death records, land deeds, etc. These documents will be invaluable as proof of your research and make any conflicting information easier to decipher.
The program allows you to merge any data found with your own primary data automatically. I recommend that you do not automatically merge this found information. Instead, I suggest that you make careful notes of the information found and add it to your primary file once you are satisfied that is as correct or valid as your own information. Dates and places that you have carefully collected can be overwritten in a moment with less accurate information that was not properly researched or documented by someone else.
Researching and storing your family tree information is only half of the tools that Family Tree Maker provides. The program provides many ways for you to review, display and even publish that information. Dozens of different charts and reports are available. Choose any one of them and display it, print it, or simply review the details provided.
When you interview your family members be sure to have copies of these charts and reports available for them to review and even keep. These charts and reports can help them to later identify additional information that can fill in the blanks in your heritage. More importantly, the charts and reports may help your family member remember stories from the past that will make your ancestors come alive to living members of your family.
You also have the ability to share your family tree online using Genealogy.com's World Family Tree project. This means that you can make your family's information available to anyone that is using that service. It also allows you to tie your data into other family researchers that are tracing the same families as you. The upside is that you can uncover whole families that you didn't know existed. The downside is that you have no idea about how much effort and care was taken by the other researchers in their efforts to publish their family tree. However, as long as you are careful about the information you collect and independently verify all the facts that you uncover this information can be a real asset to your history and family heritage. If you are at all concerned about the redistribution of your family tree information should not consider publishing to the World Family Tree project.
There are too many specific features and benefits of Family Tree Maker for me to document in this article. If you are ready to purchase your own copy of Family Tree Maker 2011 now, simply click on the link provided to order your copy. It's just that easy!
If you want more information about Family Tree Maker then I suggest that you check out the following web pages for more details:
