How to Choose the Best Genealogy Software
Legacy, Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic, PAF, Reunion and more
Oct 24, 2009
There are many software programs available for genealogists. The trick in choosing the best (and avoiding costly mistakes) is to research features before making the purchase.
Standard Features in Genealogy Software
Some features are common to almost all genealogy software:
- Pedigree, family, individual views
- Record source documentation
- Match and merge individuals
- Add photos or videos
- Create reports & lists
- Match/Merge individuals
- Attach photos and videos
- Share files with different programs through a GEDCOM format
Less Common Features in Genealogy Programs
Other features are less common, and will be included in some software but not others. If a feature is very important to you, make sure it is listed before you buy.
- Custom events: lets users add life events that are not on the software's standard list. Some include bar mitzvah and adult baptism, some don't. Or you might want to include a home purchase or special vacation.
- Timeline charts: create a printable timeline of an ancestor's life. Some programs will also suggest local and world events to include.
- Research suggestions: ideas for where else to search for ancestors' information.
- Source wizard: fill in the blanks to create a properly formatted source citation.
- Wall charts and other special printing: more elaborate charts and reports.
- Language options: use the program in a different language and/or use a different alphabet to enter data.
- Address book for living relatives: enter street and e-mail addresses to stay in contact.
- Available with additional purchase? Some of these may require an upgrade to a deluxe version, or a separate purchase. The cost is often nominal and may be worthwhile.
Genealogy Source Documentation
Good genealogists always document their sources so that others can find the same records. Hard copies of documents can be lost in flood or fire; someone else may want to check the accuracy of the research; or perhaps the scanned copy isn't as legible as the original.
Genealogy software provides a place for source citations, but some have an easy process and some do not. Questions to consider: Is there a source wizard to help with entering the information? Can a source be attached to an entire family without entering it for each individual? Can a user check an individual's general and specific fact sources in one step?
Printed Genealogy Reports
Reports can group ancestors by a common factor, or help a genealogist see where gaps or problems exist. What reports might be important in your research?
- Missing birth/marriage/death dates
- Lived in same place
- Lived in a particular time period (i.e. Civil War)
- Problems (i.e. childhood marriage, siblings not 9 months apart)
- Married a relative
- List of places
- List of sources
Family History Books
Family history is meant to be shared. Many genealogy programs will take the basic data and transform it into readable paragraphs. Check to see what the results are: Are there choices on how the book is organized? Can you put notes and sources on a back page? How do attached photos and documents appear?
Create a Genealogy Web Page
Many genealogists want to post their family history on the internet. Most genealogy software today has the capability of setting up a web page for you. What does it look like? What backgrounds and colors are available? How easy is it to navigate?
Help System and Response
The Help system in the program is of paramount importance. The software should guide users to the correct section of an easy-to-understand manual. Ideally, there should also be an online help desk for further questions, with understandable answers and good response time. There also needs to be a responsive method to report bugs, especially with new releases of software.
Choose Between Popular Genealogy Software Programs
There are many brands of genealogy software available in stores or online. A few of these include:
- Ancestral Quest
- Family Historian
- Family Tree Maker
- Legacy
- Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
- Reunion
- Roots Magic
- The Master Genealogist (TMG)
Read reviews of each, especially for ease of use and reliability issues. Then download a trial version, if possible. The trial versions won't allow input of an entire family tree, but are good for experimenting with views, entering information, and seeing what reports look like.
With some thoughtfulness and research, buying the right program on the first try is possible.
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