When starting your journey into the whole realm of family history, somehow paperwork seems to miraculously multiply around you. I have never quite worked out how it happens, but it does. And if you’re not to this stage of your research yet … expect it!! It will come.

This paperwork is your research, and as such contains, names, dates, notes, mini pedigrees, contact details of distant cousins who might have family photos etc. So all extremely important stuff. But to really make sense of it all, and to keep a track of the info that you already have, you really need to put in into a genealogy program.

There’s several things to note when looking for a genealogy program. Choose a program that is right for YOU. They are all a little different, and one may well be better suited to you than another. Recommendations from others are great, but nothing beats being able to try a program out for yourself.

So below is a listing of the genealogy software we sell, together with a little about each, the price, and the publisher’s websites .

ANCESTRAL QUEST

Ancestral Quest 12.1 – $49.50
Win 2000, XP, Vista, Win 7
http://www.ancquest.com
download the demo

Ancestral Quest (AQ) family tree software is an easy-to-use and versatile genealogy program for Windows. Its format is perfect for the beginner and yet powerful enough for the most advanced genealogist. Easy data entry, keyboard shortcuts, scrapbooking, professional printouts, and excellent sourcing capabilities are just some of this genealogy software program’s wonderful, award-winning features. The publishers offer a fully-functional version for 60 days, which gives you plenty of time to work out if this is the program for you.

FAMILY HISTORIAN

Family Historian 4 UK Edition – $99.95
Win 98, Me, 2000, XP, Vista, Win 7
Family Historian 4 Aus/NZ Edition – $99.95Win XP, Vista, Win 7
http://www.family-historian.co.uk
download the demo

This is a very different looking program, as it is a person based program, in preference to most which are family based. Apart from that it does have a number of unique features that others don’t, mostly in the way you view information, but also in its ability to view charts on screen. There is a demo available, so have a look at it if you wish. This came out at top choice in the ‘Choice’ Magazine’s genealogy software overviews in 2010.

FAMILY TREE MAKER

Family Tree Maker 2010 Aus/NZ Platinum Edition – $99.95
Family Tree Maker 2010 Aus/NZ Deluxe Edition – $59.95
Win XP, Vista, Win 7
http://www.familytreemaker.com

The best known of all programs, this has been around the longest, and is owned by Ancestry.com, the world’s largest genealogy company. For many people it is their program of choice, while others won’t go near it – so it is really a personal opinion. This new 2010 edition has been added to from 2008’s total rewrite. There is no demo of FTM, but the publishers have put a slideshow as well as a video tutorial on their website which you can look at.

LEGACY FAMILY TREE

Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Deluxe – $59.50
Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Platinum Aus/NZ Edition- $79.95
Win 98, Me, 2000, NT, XP, Vista, Win 7
http://www.legacyfamilytree.com
download the demo

You can download the “Standard” edition of Legacy for free. This is not a trial or demo version, and can be used for as long as you like. The difference between the standard and the Deluxe editions is that you don’t get the program CD, the printed manual, the licence code and some features have been disabled. The difference between the Deluxe edition, and the Platinum Aus/NZ Edition is that the Aus/NZ one comes with extra data CDs, a 3 month subscription to WorldVitalRecords.com and some gift vouchers. The program in both versions is identical.

ROOTSMAGIC

RootsMagic 4 - $49.50
Win 2000, XP, Vista, Win 7
http://www.rootsmagic.com
download the demo

This is a good quality program that is continually gaining support through new users. Easy to use, and well supported, with good reports and charting capability, this is a good program for those wishing to start adding their family tree data to a genealogy program. There is a free version called “RootsMagic Essentials”, which is a functional program, with some features that are in the full program disabled but if nothing else it is an excellent way to assess the program.

THE MASTER GENEALOGIST

The Master Genealogist Version 7 Gold – $82.00 (program on CD)
$69.50 (program as a download) or $112.00 (program & manual)
Win 2000, XP, Vista, Win 7
http://www.whollygenes.com
download the demo

This is at the top of end of programs, but it is way too much for many in relation to what it can offer. If you’re wanting ‘a nice easy program to use just to add names, dates etc’ this program probably isn’t for you. It is so different from the other programs in so many ways, such as visually, its terminology, and its charting capability. The publishers offer a fully functional (allows import, export, printing, saving etc) 30 day trial of the program. After that, the demo is viewable, but not useable.

iFAMILY FOR LEOPARD

iFamily for Leopard – $44.00 (download only)
Apple Mac OSX 10.4 or later (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard)
http://ifamilyforleopard.com
download the demo

iFamily for Leopard is a relatively new genealogy program specifically for the latest Macintosh with Leopard. It is a genealogy application for people who think differently. There is a demo available, so feel free to have a look.

REUNION FOR MACINTOSH

Reunion for Macintosh 9 – $149.50
Apple Mac OSX 10.3 or later (Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard)

http://www.leisterpro.com

download the demo

Reunion has been the best Macintosh program available for a long time now, and it continues to holds its place. It is a well-written, well-supported program, and is very easy to use, and does have powerful charting capability. There is a demo available if you wish to try before buying.

This is in no way intended to be a comprehensive list of all genealogy software that is currently available, but rather a good range of them. As each of them a little bit different, it is good for you to take the time to work out which program is going to suit you the best.

If you would like to read up some more before making your decision, here’s some great places to do so:
Genealogy Software Reviews
Choice Magazine

This post was recently put on the Legacy Family Tree Blog and as it answers a question that we do get from time to time, felt that it was useful to pass this on to our customer and blog readers.

——

The question from Tim was: “Can I use Legacy to trace more than one set of parents without creating two different family files?”

Legacy answer: Yes Tim. Here’s how…

First, notice in the image below (click to enlarge), that John Brown’s parents are Charles and Sally Carter Brown. Let’s assume that these are his biological parents.

To add a second set of parents (such as adding his adoptive parents) follow these steps:

1) Click on John’s “Parents” icon.

The “Parents of John Brown” screen appears. In the “Relationship to Father” and “Relationship to Mother” fields, you should enter how John is related to each parent.

2) Click on the “Add New Parents” button.

This adds the second set of parents (displayed as “Unknown & Unknown):

3) Click on “Unknown & Unknown”, and then click on the “Add Father” button.

Add the information for the father and click Save. Do the same with the “Add Mother” button. Add her information and click Save.

4) Enter how John is related to the second set of parents in the “Relationship to Father/Mother” fields.

Done!

When you click on the Select button to return to the Family View, you’ll notice that John’s second set of parents appear above him, and John’s Parents icon now has the number 2 next to it, indicating that he has two sets of parents. When you want to navigate between the parents, just click on this icon and select the other set of parents.

I think this should answer your question Tim. Do others have experience in researching/recording two sets of parents? Do you have other suggestions?

——

You can find more information on Legacy Deluxe or Platinum here
To visit the publisher’s website click here

Millennia, the publishers of Legacy Family Tree made the announcement earlier this week, that “New FamilySearch” integration is now available in Legacy Family Tree 7.4 (public pre-release).

The FamilySearch integration features are now available in version 7.4. The Update  is available in two versions, the Standard edition which is FREE, and the Deluxe edition which is US$29.95.

For the differences between the versions, check the “which version do you want to download” chart on the publisher’s site.

Anyone using Legacy Family Tree version 7 Standard, Deluxe or Platinum editions can update to version 7.4.  Click here for details on the release, and here to download the update.

Version 7.4 is certified in Access, Print, and Ordinance Status. This will allow you to:

• Match your Legacy individuals with FamilySearch individuals
• Combine potential duplicates that exist at FamilySearch
• View the real-time ordinance status of individuals
• Much more…

Please note: if you wish to purchase the Legacy 7.4 upgrade edition, you will have to buy it direct from the publisher’s in the US as it is not a product (Update) that we can sell.

Just keeping you informed, Version 7.5 will follow within the next month or so with more features.

For more information including downloading the free update, as well as videos on the FamilySearch update visit the FamilySearch page on the Legacy website.

A complete overview of all the latest Windows and Mac Family Tree Software available in Australia. Including Manuals, Guide Books, Upgrades and more.

Family Historian (WIN)

Family Historian 4 – Software – $99.95
First released in 1995, Family Historian has proved itself to be one of the quality well-written genealogy software programs available, and has many dedicated users worldwide.

Family Historian 4 Australian and New Zealand Edition – Software – $99.95
The Australian and New Zealand Edition includes the following:

• - Family Historian 4 program CD
• - Australian Shipping 1788-1968 (CD) – $59.95
• - Australian Dictionary of Dates and Men of the Time (CD) – $29.50
• - New Zealand Directory 1866-67 (Stevens and Bartholomew) (CD) – $43.50
• - 90 day subscription to WorldVitalRecords.com.au

Family Historian 4 Upgrade from Version 3 – Software – $49.95

Getting the Most from Family Historian Manual (version 4) – Manual – $29.50
This book has all the information you need to become an expert in using Family Historian 4 – one of the leading genealogy software programs available. It uses simple examples and tutorials to take you easily through all the major features of the program.

Family Tree Maker (WIN)

Family Tree Maker 2010 Deluxe Australia and New Zealand Edition – Software – $59.95
Family Tree Maker 2010 provides users the tools they need to build their family tree, record their memories and organise their family photos, stories, videos and audio clips in a way that will help them easily capture and share the story of their ancestors.

Family Tree Maker 2010 Platinum Australia and New Zealand Edition – Software – $99.95
Users can now track the migration paths of a person and their family through time, by mapping event locations with Microsoft Bing Maps. They can also view relationships between any two people in their family tree by using the improved relationship calculator and create family books made from information and photos from their tree.

Family Tree Maker 2010 Upgrade Australia and New Zealand Edition – Software – $39.95

Who Do You Think You Are? Family Tree Maker Version 2008/17 – Software – $19.95
If you are wanting a copy of Family Tree Maker but don’t need all the ‘extras’, and don’t need the very very latest, you can buy a copy of the ‘Who Do You Think You Are? Family Tree Maker’ which comes with the 2008 version of Family Tree Maker.

The Family Tree Maker 2010 Little Book of Answers: Tips, Tools and Extras – Manual – $15.00
Whether you want to learn how to create a family health history, discover the best way to enter adopted individuals in your tree, or create custom exported files, the “Little Book of Answers” can help. In quick, easy-to-understand topics, you’ll learn how to adapt Family Tree Maker 2010 to work for you and your unique family. Works as a great companion piece to The Official Guide to Family Tree Maker 2010.

The Official Guide to Family Tree Maker 2010 – Manual – $37.50
The Official Guide to Family Tree Maker 2010 — your complete guide to creating a family history you and your family will treasure for years to come.

iFamily for Leopard (MAC)

iFamily for Leopard – SOFTWARE – $44.00
iFamily for Leopard is a genealogy application for people who think differently. Whereas other genealogy software tends to emphasize the family unit, this software’s focus is on each individual person. This distinction is subtle and is a feature of iFamily for Leopard.

Legacy Family Tree (WIN)

Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Deluxe – Software – $59.50
First released in 1997, Legacy Family Tree has not only stood the test of time, but the creators have have managed to yet again enhance the program, without make it too flashy, while still keeping it nice and easy for the first-time user.

Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Platinum Australia/New Zealand Edition – Software – $79.95
HOW DOES THIS DIFFER FROM LEGACY FAMILY TREE 7.0 DELUXE?
In short … it doesn’t … this one just comes with extras. The program is the same in both packages. The Australia/New Zealand edition comes as a boxed product, includes 4 Australian and New Zealand Data CD’s and 3 months subscription to worldvitalrecords.com.au.

Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Deluxe Upgrade from Versions 5.0 or 6.0 – Software – $49.50

Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Platinum Australia/New Zealand Upgrade from Versions 5.0 or 6.0 – Software – $69.95

Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Printed Manual – Manual – $29.50
Are you using either the free Legacy 7.0 Standard edition, or the Legacy 7.0 Platinum Aus/NZ edition – neither of which come with the printed manual – but would like a manual for some extra help?

Legacy Family Tree Training Video CDs Volume 1 – DATA CD – $39.95
Learn Legacy Family Tree at your own pace from the comfort of your own computer. Each of these training CDs has been updated for Legacy Family Tree Version 7.0. This Volume 1 set contains the following training CDs:

• - Legacy for Beginners
• - Mastering Legacy: Names, Dates and Places
• - Your 12-Step Checklist to Using Legacy
• - Legacy’s Ultimate Guide to Sources
• - Researching with Legacy: Mastering Events and Chronologies

Legacy Family Tree Training Video CDs Volume 2 – DATA CD – $39.95
Once you’ve learnt the basic features of Legacy either by viewing Volume 1 training CDs, or by working through it yourself, then you’re ready to find out more about the program. Get even more out of Legacy with Volume 2 training CDs:

• - Legacy’s Tagging and Searching Made Easy
• - Creating and Sharing Perfect Reports
• - Insider’s Guide to Legacy: Tips and Tricks
• - Video Guide to Working with Digital Pictures in Legacy

Legacy Family Tree Training Video CDs Volume 1 and Volume 2 Set – DATA CD – $69.50
Suitable for beginners right through to advanced – and covering everything from first time entry of data, through to tagging, chronologies, and photographs … everyone will learn something using these video training CDs. Simply place a CD in your computer, and it will start playing. From time to time it it suggests you pause it to try a feature out yourself, and then allows you to resume.

Reunion (MAC)

Reunion for Macintosh Version 9 – Software – $149.50
What is Reunion? Reunion is a genealogy software program – a ‘family tree program’ for the Macintosh. Reunion helps you to document, store, and display information about your family – your ancestors, descendants, cousins, etc. It records names, dates, places, facts, plenty of notes, sources of information, pictures, sounds, and videos. It shows family relationships in an elegant, graphic form – people and families are linked in an easy-to-understand fashion.

RootsMagic (WIN)

RootsMagic 4 – Software – $49.50
RootsMagic is one of the easiest-to-use family tree software available for Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, yet is also one of the most powerful. See why professional genealogists and beginners alike say RootsMagic is the best genealogy software in the world. Making Shareable CDs to share with your family, running the software and data directly from a portable flash drive, integrated WebSearch, and many other new features keep RootsMagic 4 “the top of the genealogy tree”.

RootsMagic 4 Upgrade – Software – $44.00
RootsMagic has always been one of the easiest-to-use family tree software available. Now completely rewritten from scratch, and available for use on Windows 2000, XP and Vista, it is also one of the most powerful.

Getting the Most Out of RootsMagic (Version 4) – B. Buzbee – $29.50
This is one of the easiest genealogy software programs available, yet many people will barely touch the tip of the iceberg of RootsMagic’s features. If you are one of these people, then ‘Getting the Most Out of RootsMagic’ is the book for you.

The Master Genealogist (WIN)

The Master Genealogist 7 Gold Edition: CD – Software – $82.00
The Master Genealogist (TMG) is the gold standard in family history software. Used by novices and professional researchers alike, the latest version reinforces TMG’s reputation as the most powerful family history project manager on the market while adding many new features to make it easy and fun to use.

The Master Genealogist 7 Gold Edition: Download – Software – $69.50

The Master Genealogist 7 Gold Edition: Upgrade from TMG 6 Gold – CD – Software – $42.00

The Master Genealogist 7 Gold Edition: Upgrade from TMG 6 Gold – Download – Software – $36.00

A Primer for The Master Genealogist – T. Reigel – $29.95
‘A Primer for The Master Genealogist’ can help users quickly become comfortable and adept with this powerful tool. It provides an introduction in straightforward terms, with a level of detail that helps but doesn’t overwhelm a novice user.

The Master Genealogist Users Guide – Manual – $35.00
Digital print version of PDF Users Guide – British edition.

TMG 7 Bundle 1: Program and User Guide – Software – $112.00

TMG 7 Bundle 2: Program and ‘A Primer for The Master Genealogist’ – Software – $107.00

TMG 7 Bundle 3: Program, User Guide and ‘A Primer for The Master Genealogist’ – Software – $137.00

PathWiz! Version 8 – Software – $25.00
Take control of your TMG exhibits! PathWiz! Version 8 is an exhibit and path management tool which allows you to access a TMG Version 7 project database table (dbf) containing paths to and information attached to exhibits (graphical images and other files) stored anywhere on your local PC or Network.

For more new releases click here

The people over at Legacy Family Tree have been busy working on the new releases of Legacy … they released the following announcement a few days ago:

“Legacy version 7.5 is finally almost here. Version 7.4 is even closer….

In January we will release Legacy 7.4 which will add most of the long-awaited FamilySearch integration tools to Legacy. This will be a free update for both Standard and Legacy Deluxe edition users [as well as Legacy Platinum Australian & New Zealand edition users].

We’ve created a special web site devoted to keeping you updated on this release. At www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/fs.asp we will publish the very latest information:

• News / Updates section – this is where we will publish the latest announcements (in addition to this LegacyNews blog)
• Video Tutorials – we’ve published our first video entitled Getting Started in Legacy Family Tree for the brand new LDS genealogist.
• Preparing for Legacy 7.5 – these are links to all the articles we’ve published in LegacyNews about preparing your Legacy family file for working with the new FamilySearch tools”

We’ll keep you informed with more about version 7.5 as the release comes closer.

If you are a user of Legacy Family Tree, we have compiled a listing of Legacy User Groups around Australia.

With a growing user base of Legacy Family Tree in Australia, there have been a number of User Groups start up. If you are new to the program, attending a User Group meeting can be very informative, both in finding out the program’s capabilities, and how to find out how to use it.

New South Wales – Caringbah
Meetings: 1st Tuesday every second month
Where: Port Hacking Community Centre, 184 Gannons Road (South), Caringbah
When: 4 May, 6 Jul, 7 Sep, 2 Nov from 2.30pm-4.00pm
Cost: $3.00 for members, $5.00 for non-members
Contact: http://www.bbfhs.org.au
Organised by the Botany Bay Family History Society

New South Wales – Lake Macquarie
Meetings: once a month
Where: Marmong Point Community Hall, George Street, Marmong Point
Contact: http://www.lmfhg.org.au
Organised by the Lake Macquarie Family History Society

Queensland – Brisbane
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Where: Strathpine Library, Cnr Gympie & South Pine Roads, Strathpine
When: 9.00am-12.00pm
Contact: Charlie Nolan charlie.nolan@aapt.net.au

Queensland – Toowoomba
Meetings: 2nd Sunday of each month
When: from 2.00pm
Contact: Beverley Borey borjobe69@bigpond.com

South Australia – Salisbury
Meetings: 1st Monday of each month
Where: Salisbury TAFE Heritage Centre, 3 Ann Street, Salisbury
When: from 7.00pm
Contact: Adelaide & Northern Districts FHG – andfhg@yahoo.com.au
Web: http://www.andfhg.org/

Victoria – Melbourne
Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of each month (not December or January)
Where: GSV, Level B1 257 Collins Street, Melbourne (take lifts in Emirates Building at Collins Street entrance
When: Beginners session begins at 10.00am and main meeting from 10.30am-12.30pm
Cost: $3.00
Contact: Tom & Libby Luke, tomluke@optusnet.com.au or Susan Perrett, susanp@st.net.au
Organised by the Genealogy Society of Victoria

Victoria – Mildura
Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of each month (not January)
Where: Carnegie Centre,  Deakin Avenue, Mildura
When: 6.00pm
Contact: Leanne Watmuff, leannew08@gmail.com, or phone (daytime) (03) 5027 5060
Organised by the Mildura & District Genealogical Society

Western Australia – Perth
Many Perth DPS members use Legacy. There always seemed to be someone asking a Legacy question on list & they also meet once every 6 weeks according to their web pages.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/
home page of their email list:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/dps-chat.htm

Others with an interest in forming a group in their region:
New South Wales, Armidale interest in forming
Contact Colin Darby – hcdarbs@hotmail.com

Queensland, Gold Coast, interest in forming
Contact Rita Oakley – durrandell@yahoo.com.au

South Australia, Murray Bridge, interest in forming
Contact Deby Hills – shirljim@ripper.com.au

MAILING LISTS

RootsWeb Legacy Users Australia: Aus-Legacy-L-request@Rootsweb.com
Put the word Subscribe in the Subject line and the body of the message.

RootsWeb Legacy Users Worldwide:
http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/other/Software/LEGACY.html

News & Updates first from the publishers:
http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp