Select Computer Software: Difference between revisions
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| link2=[[Begin Your Genealogy Quest|Begin Your Genealogy Quest]] | |||
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| link5=[[Select Computer Software|Select Computer Software]] | |||
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== Do I need software? == | |||
If you are just getting started with family history research, or are only involved on a limited basis, you may not need software. Many genealogy websites offer free web tools for creating and maintaining your family history research. | If you are just getting started with family history research, or are only involved on a limited basis, you may not need software. Many genealogy websites offer free web tools for creating and maintaining your family history research. | ||
[https://familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org]'s Family Tree is a great place to start. | [https://familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org]'s Family Tree is a great place to start. [https://familysearch.org/register/ Creating an account] is easy and it's free. There may already be records for many of your ancestors in the FamilySearch Family Tree. Simply "connect" yourself to the records of your deceased ancestors, and all the generations prior to that connection will automatically be connected to you. Begin contributing your own records and sources to what others have already added. There are several quick videos about using the FamilySearch Family Tree at ''[[Training_for_FamilySearch_Family_Tree|Family Tree Training]]''. You do not have to start with a blank tree. Adding the first four generations to Family Tree have been made easy if you follow the guided steps in the online [https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/how-to-start-a-family-tree ''How to Start a Family Tree'']. | ||
Use the Family Tree as your software until you want more features and find that the Tree does not adequately address your research needs. Then decide what you need your genealogy software to do, and evaluate the products available for your system (PC, Mac, tablet, smart phone). The FamilySearch Family Tree works with a variety of [https://partners.familysearch.org/solutionsgallery/s/ Family Tree Partner Products], allowing you to share information between your personal software and the Family Tree.<br> | Use the Family Tree as your software until you want more features and find that the Tree does not adequately address your research needs. Then decide what you need your genealogy software to do, and evaluate the products available for your system (PC, Mac, tablet, smart phone). The FamilySearch Family Tree works with a variety of [https://partners.familysearch.org/solutionsgallery/s/ Family Tree Partner Products], allowing you to share information between your personal software and the Family Tree.<br> | ||
Cloud-based family tree tools are also available through Ancestry.com, findmypast, My Heritage, wikitree, | Cloud-based family tree tools are also available through Ancestry.com, findmypast, My Heritage, wikitree, WeRelate and others. As of April 2014, these products cannot share information with the FamilySearch Family Tree, but may meet your need for a means of gathering, organizing, documenting and sharing your family history.<br> | ||
== Choosing software == | == Choosing software == | ||
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* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_genealogy_software Comparison of genealogy software], From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_genealogy_software Comparison of genealogy software], From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | ||
* [https://www.gensoftreviews.com/ GenSoftReviews] | * [https://www.gensoftreviews.com/ GenSoftReviews] | ||
* [https:// | * [https://www.toptenreviews.com/best-family-tree-maker/ Top Ten Reviews] | ||
* [https://www.familytreemagazine.com/premium/softwareguide/ Family Tree Magazine Genealogy Software Guide] | * [https://www.familytreemagazine.com/premium/softwareguide/ Family Tree Magazine Genealogy Software Guide] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:49, 15 March 2023
Do I need software?[edit | edit source]
If you are just getting started with family history research, or are only involved on a limited basis, you may not need software. Many genealogy websites offer free web tools for creating and maintaining your family history research.
FamilySearch.org's Family Tree is a great place to start. Creating an account is easy and it's free. There may already be records for many of your ancestors in the FamilySearch Family Tree. Simply "connect" yourself to the records of your deceased ancestors, and all the generations prior to that connection will automatically be connected to you. Begin contributing your own records and sources to what others have already added. There are several quick videos about using the FamilySearch Family Tree at Family Tree Training. You do not have to start with a blank tree. Adding the first four generations to Family Tree have been made easy if you follow the guided steps in the online How to Start a Family Tree.
Use the Family Tree as your software until you want more features and find that the Tree does not adequately address your research needs. Then decide what you need your genealogy software to do, and evaluate the products available for your system (PC, Mac, tablet, smart phone). The FamilySearch Family Tree works with a variety of Family Tree Partner Products, allowing you to share information between your personal software and the Family Tree.
Cloud-based family tree tools are also available through Ancestry.com, findmypast, My Heritage, wikitree, WeRelate and others. As of April 2014, these products cannot share information with the FamilySearch Family Tree, but may meet your need for a means of gathering, organizing, documenting and sharing your family history.
Choosing software[edit | edit source]
Decide what features are most important to you, and then evaluate your options. There are several reputable organizations that provide reviews of computer software, including genealogy software. Note that often those who review software may not be users or may have favorites.
- Comparison of genealogy software, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- GenSoftReviews
- Top Ten Reviews
- Family Tree Magazine Genealogy Software Guide
Many FamilySearch Tree-certified partners offer a free, "scaled-down" version of their product. Use the free version to decide if the product meets your needs. If you wish, you can then pay to upgrade and have access to all the product's features.