We’ve been starting to get inquiries from customers asking us “what’s happening with Family Tree Maker 2013? and “when do you expect to have it”? Well, now we finally have some answers for you …
Ancestry.com has quietly announced there will be no major upgrade for Family Tree Maker this year. However, the company does plan to add numerous improvements to the present version: Family Tree Maker 2012.
What’s happening with Family Tree Maker 2013?
In short there won’t be one. Ancestry have decided to skip the usual yearly release, and work towards the 2014 edition instead. However they will have extra updates available for Family Tree Maker 2012 users. These will be free and can be downloaded from the Family Tree Maker website.
Does this mean that there will also be no new Family Tree for Mac edition yet?
Yes, that’s right. There will be NO new version of FTM in the imminent future. This means US, UK and Australian PC and Mac editions.
So what’s the bonuses features for Family Tree Maker 2012 Users?
The Family Tree Maker website lists the following are “some of the great changes” available now for Family Tree Maker 2012 users:
– Numerous enhancements to TreeSync so syncing your tree to Ancestry.com is faster and more reliable
– A new Family View Report that displays a person’s ancestors, spouse, and children together (similar to the Family View in the People workspace)
– A new Undocumented Facts Report that lists people’s facts that have no source documentation
– The ability to merge info from multiple versions of the same fact
– New source templates for the 1940 U.S. census and improved support for city directories
– Dozens of report enhancements including performance improvements and new options in the relationship chart, family group sheet, Individual Report, Notes Report, Data Errors Report, Outline Descendant Report, Media Item Report, photo albums, Media Usage Report, Documented Facts Report, and calendar
– And there are more enhancements to come in the next bonus update – so stayed tuned.
If I purchase Family Tree Maker 2012 now, will the extra new features be included on the installation CD?
Sorry, no. If you purchase a copy of FTM 2012 you will still need to go to the FamilyTreeMaker.com website, and get the update.
Hi,
I have “Family Tree Maker” 2009 UK .What do I need to upgrade to 2012. plus all bells and whistles and book of instructions.
Yours faithfully,
Denis Vincent.
My new address is
18 Clyde Street
Kinmont Park.
Mosgiel.
Dunedin 9024
New Zealand [Aotearoa]
Hi Denis, if you’re wanting FTM 2012 “with all the bells and whistles” that would be Family Tree Maker 2012 Platinum. This gives you the program, and 6 months access to Ancestry.com.au as well. http://www.gould.com.au/Family-Tree-Maker-2012-Platinum-Aus-NZ-Edition-p/ftm2012p.htm
You do get a PDF copy of the Official Guide to FTM on the CD, but if you prefer a printed copy, that is available: http://www.gould.com.au/The-Companion-Guide-to-Family-Tree-Maker-2012-p/anc4947.htm
And another VERY useful guide is this one: http://www.gould.com.au/So-You-Are-Totally-New-to-Family-Tree-Maker-p/utp0371.htm
You can order through our website, or by phone, email or mail, and you can find our contact details here: http://www.gould.com.au/articles.asp?ID=140.
Dick Eastman’s blog has just linked to the announcement of FTM 2014 with a pre-release discount of 30%. This discount applies to US customers only. http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2013/08/family-tree-maker-new-and-improved-features-for-2014-with-a-30-presale-discount.html
What is the news for Australian customers?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Anne, I’m currently waiting on info from the Aus manufacturers/distributors. As soon as I know more we’ll let our customers know.
Hi I have the 2012 Family Tree Maker upgrade Australian and New Zealand copy I have found it deletes the birthplaces of my direct ancestors what could be causing this I have deleted it but an going to reinstall as I have a newer version of windows 7 also will I be able to get a 2014 download to sync with this current one instead of buying a newer version thanks regards Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, I see you’ve askwed two queries …
1. You currently have FTM 2012 and are having issues with it saying that it deletes the birthplaces of direct ancestors. That’s incredibly wierd, and I haven’t heard of that on happening before. So I’d certainly be getting on to the FTM Tech Support querying that. But if you’ve uninstalled, do a reinstall, just to see if that fixes it first. If you wish to phone their Tech Support, you can find the phone numbers here: http://c.ancestry.com/Affiliate/Knowledgebase/contact/contact.html
2. The second query you had was will you be able to get a download of FTM 2014 to sync with your current one instead of buying it. Sorry, but as FTM 2014 (when it is released) will be a whole new version you will need to pay for the Upgrade. We will sell it as a CD, but Ancestry most likely will sell the download version. But yes, it will read your current FTM 2012 files.
I have pre-ordered FTM 2014 online and I am in Australia, no idea when they will ship it but supposedly sometime after the pre-order cut-off date of Sept 10 is my guess.
Am sick and tired of FTM2012 crashing and telling freezing all the time – hoping 2014 is a vast improvement, time will tell.
My only concern is transferring all my files from 2012 to 2014. What is the easiest way – someone told me to make sure everything is synced and then just download the entire tree to 2014. Sounds easy enough, but will that also include all my photos and notes I currently have included within 2012??
FTM 2014 not working properly. “ merge two specific individuals” is impossible, the system becomes unstable and shut down. However in FTM 2012 this option works well. Has a solution this problem?
Family tree maker support is not friendly
Juan
Sorry to hear that you’re having issues with FTM, particularly when it was working nicely in an earlier version. This really is a teach support question, so I would direct it there. you can find the contact details for Ancestry here (http://c.ancestry.com/Affiliate/Knowledgebase/contact/contact.html).
Although you could also try putting the query up on the Family Tree Maker Message Board. This has a group of very active users who seem to know the program inside out.
http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.software.famtreemaker/mb.ashx