TSGS Cruiser Blog

Saturday, February 21, 2009

ENGINEER'S Report -
Tech Info

Genealogical Software ~

Times are changing... there was a time when there were perhaps 3 to 5 popular genealogical programs to keep all of your genealogical information on your computer. Family Tree Maker, Brother's Keeper and PAF being perhaps 3 of the favorites. As time, ownership of the software, and the loss of support, etc.... these programs have begun to lose favor. So, where are we today with software for our family histories and all of the other things we have begun to store with our genealogy stuff?

Char Beyer~NM~ posted this on one of the lists or MyFamily.com sites that we each are members - Jan 23, 2009

I tried Legacy and it is a good program, but went for TMG (The Master Genealogist). It is a bit more complex and offers somethings the others don't. I guess you could say it is more of a professional genealogist (which I'm not) program. With this program I can cross reference the brides by maiden or married name. You can break down your info into detailed catagories or use it the same as FTM, PAF, Legacy, etc. In other words you can keep it as complex or basic as you want. The support for TMG is fantastic, no question too simple or complicated for them to answer. As you all know, I am full of questions [you probably do not know this, but I can verify that this is true! - JGWest]. I used PAF for years and was happy with it, very simple, but they quit updating it a couple of years ago. I tried FTM on two different occasions, it was good, but not for me. You can download a free version of it [TMG] and that is what I would advise you to do. Most of the programs have free versions on line, some you can keep, some are just for a trial period. Check them out and pick 2 or 3 that sound and look good to you, mess around with them. That way you get a chance to see which is the best for you and does what you want it to do, before you buy one and find it just isn't right for you or you don't like it. The addie is: www.whollygenes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc - Char Beyer

I suggest that you read first this page:
http://www.moss-fritch.com/Gen_Software.htm
Then check out this page:
http://www.moss-fritch.com/genealogy_applications.htm
And then go to these sites to review the various software programs to help you to select a program that will do what you need and want in a genealogical database:
http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
http://www.mumford.ca/reportcard/review.htm
http://genealogy.about.com/od/software_reviews/Genealogy_Software_Reviews_Ratings_Comparisons.htm
- Compiled by JGWest

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Free Genealogy Programs: http://www.tucows.com/search.html?search_scope=win&search_lib=soft&search_adv=0&search_size=&search_size_multi=b&search_terms=Free+Genealogy+Program&srch_pf=win&x=23&y=12

This is all one URL - copy & paste or go to: http://www.tucows.com/ and type in search box "Free Genealogy Program" without the quotation marks. Do not put "programs" there will be less results!