I’m curious, what software do you use to keep track of your family tree? I use Reunion, the software I started out with six years ago, and I really like it. But I don’t have any point of comparison.
I put together this poll to learn what my readers use, so I can figure out which software I should learn more about. I’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment and fill it out. I’d love to hear in the comments what you like and dislike about the software you use. Thanks!
I, too, have used reunion for more years than I can remember. I like it very much and keep moving to the next upgrade. Now using reunion 12. I started with this program and haven’t used any other, so am no help with your comparison effort. It does look to be the most expensive of the various programs, but I think it’s worth every penny.
I also find the talk forum helpful as some of the contributors are extremely savvy and spend time helping “newbies”.
Thanks for your comment, Louise. Glad to know that there’s at least one other Reunion lover here1 I’m using Reunion 12, too, and like it a lot.
I use Reunion now because I have a Mac But I think Legency is the best over all
I’m a convert from The Master Genealogist and only switched when support for the software ended.
I use Legacy Family Tree! There are many charts to tinker with and view your results as well as a pleasant look about it. There are many free upgrades in between the major upgrades that cost money, so they are always keeping up on tweaks. Major upgrades occur every 3 or 4 years or so your wallet isn’t drained.
There are designated spots to put in your Find-A-Grave as well as Family Search ID Numbers so when you click on it, it opens right up to the page you want. There are many fun features that I cannot think off as I have been using the program for years and probably don’t even realize what I take for granted anymore!
I switched to Legacy from Family Tree Maker over 15 years ago and have sampled a couple other programs, before I made the switch.
I especially like the Facebook group…. WOW! You can read the manual, but reading how others use certain fields or reading what how they want to input something is fascinating as I keep learning more and more about this program and how to use it!
I am using Reunion 12 and like it very much. I only got my first Mac about 5 years ago. Before that I was a PC user since 1986. I have used PAF, Family Roots by Quinsept, Roots III (my all time favorite), Family Tree Maker, and Legacy Family Tree in the past. If I were a Windows user looking for genealogy software today I would probably go for RootsMagic. It seems to be most popular and Bruce Buzbee, the creator, is quite accessible.
All are similar to cars though. The steering wheel is always in the same place; windows sit atop doors. The trunk is in the back and they all have four wheels. It boils down to brand loyalty or which style and color pleases you the most. I am presently looking at RootsFinder put out by Dallan Quass and others. It’s online and evidence based rather than people based (I think). He also was founder of WeRelate.org, another online database program that was different from the others. I tried it but never quite got it even though I liked the concept. Now that he’s offering another take on standard genealogy recording I’m going to try again.
I’ve used Family Tree Maker since 2000. I upgrade every other edition only to keep current with computer & online. I now use 2017, I have tried others (Legacy, Heredis) but keep coming back to FTM. But I have to say, personally I think they are all getting too many bells & whistles. About 2008 was my favorite FTM.
I use Family Tree Maker and am pretty happy with it. I have to admit that I have yet to “really” learn all the features.
I used FTM because I can sync it with my ancestry tree. I used it from the beginning and bought the 17 version last year at RootsTech. There was a delay in delivery which made me ab bit nervous, but they really worked hard on their release. Everything works now and am loving it!
I have been going back and forth between Reunion and RootsMagic for years. I was really looking forward to RootsMagic’s ability to sync with Ancestry.com, but then I discovered that I could only prevent sending my attached files (like photos, birth certificates, etc.) to Ancestry on the initial synch. Subsequent synchs of updates sent the attached files with no way to prevent it unless I made each one private. I only have rights for personal use of some of these files — commercial use is prohibited. So, I’m back to Reunion.
I use Roots Magic.
Started with My Heritage because it allows the import and export of Spreadsheet Files. Ben a problem with it recently because it no longer updates Marriage Files via the spreadsheet. Main info is kept in a spreadsheet
I started with Ancestral Quest and was too deep in it to switch later. If I had it to do over, I might have started with Legacy, Their webinars are invaluable and their database is superb – although with a bit of a steep learning curve. For my friends just getting started with genealogy – those I don’t think will become addicts – I recommend Roots Magic.
AQ is a great program and provides most everything I need – I now have over 16000 names and growing.
I have used RootsMagic for 10 years (honestly don’t remember how long). When I worked for a very large genealogy company we had to use Family Tree Maker. I have used AQ and Legacy. I stick with RootsMagic because it is easy to use and very shareable. I like being able to burn a CD or upload it to Dropbox to share with clients or family. I am very interested in the Master Genealogist. Thanks for this survey!
I have used RootsMagic for years and really like it. I started with Family Tree Maker, but that was at a time when it was possible to run out of space in the notes field in FTM (which I did for several ancestors). And, the FTM source citation fields wouldn’t allow you to enter those really lengthy titles of books, so I was frustrated that I couldn’t do a proper source citation. A cousin of mine who is a genealogist recommended RootsMagic, and I’ve been happy with it ever since I switched.
So far I’ve found FTM works fine and now with the good support from MacKiev its great. I of course like the syncing with Ancestry. Still needing to spend more time learning the workings of FTM.
I used a very early version of FTM and kept upgrading to new versions. I also kept my trees on Ancestry, but wanted an application resident on my computer that I owned and made me not totally dependent on the Ancestry cloud. When the Ancestry/FTM sync feature came around I really liked it and worried when FTM was spun off to MacKiev. FTM 2017 does indeed have lots more bells and whistles (some of which I am still learning to use), but I find it to be a very good product. My one and only complaint with MacKiev FTM is the problems they had in releasing a fully ready FTM 2017 and most recently the same issue with releasing the FTM Companion Guide. They announced the Guide in November 2017 and I ordered immediately. I JUST got my copy in the mail today. When I converted to a Mac about a decade ago I tried Reunion, but found it less intuitive and went back to FTM after a few months of trying to get comfortable with Reunion.
My two cents on FTM! Their innumerable Beta tests for those of us who volunteered were a nightmare, testing through most of 2017. The Color Coding convention new to this final version was nifty …. BUT hung up my computer too many times. So, what’s the use? Also, my tree is 28+ generations, over 90,000 database records entered over 10 years, upgrading faithfully each year ($$$). IMHO …This software is NOT robust enough for that many names, but dividing my families into separate database trees is also not a solution when you do the amount of research that I do. (I have not uploaded my tree to Ancestry.com, now a separate company as we know. I have been a subscriber for many years. The mistakes on uploaded trees are legend. Also, I prefer to keep backups/copies on various hard drives.) On FTM 2017, still some glitches as to recognizing name matches, repeating geographical locations, etc. And, hangs up … due to large database it needs to read continually? All noted to the software techs during testing. Not really fixed. So …. I am in a quandary … do not want to invest time in a new program, but the others are just not superior enough for me to switch. Good luck!
I’ve tried most of the programs. I started out with FTM, but went to RootsMagic when Ancestry had their DDos attack about 4 years ago. I really like RootsMagic, but also have Family Historian 6. I like that one a lot, too, but need to play with it more to become proficient and efficient using it.
I am so grateful for all the comments! It’s nice to hear why you like your programs. Thank you so much.
For years I used Gene when working on my legacy Mac running OS 9, for its ease of use, then transferred the info to Personal Ancestral File because it is so simple to use that application with my GEDCOM to generate a searchable website database. Now that Rootsweb/Freepages is in disarray, I’m considering setting up my own website out of sheer frustration.
I use two simple and free games such as GEDKeeper2 and Ahnenblatt have everything you need.
I have been using Forever.com to organize my memories for years and I absolutely love it. Forever also offers media conversion services, photo book printing, digital scrapbooking, and photo management software. But there is another one family tree creator that I like. It is Treemily.com. They provide people seeking to eternalize their ancestry in a tangible form with a one-of-a-kind tool for building stunning family trees.
Hi Janine: I use Reunion. I’m a MacBook Air owner. Like the simplicity of it. Have almost 1900 cousins.
Bob
Family Tree Maker since the late 1990’s. I keep trying others, but go back to FTM. None are perfect but this one seems to fit me best.
I have used Reunion since beginning my genealogical research. I like it very much and have been upgrading it each time a nw version is available. I think I began with version 6.
A fellow Reunion fan! I think I started out on version 10, so you’ve been with it longer than I have!