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Pros
- Simplifies searching.
- Extensive features accommodate both amateurs and seasoned genealogy professionals.
- Intuitive and easy to use.
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Cons
- Incompatible with Mac and Linux.
- Kinks in the software require patch downloads (which the company says are being fixed).
Family Tree Maker 2008 Specs
| OS Compatibility: | Windows Vista |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows XP |
| Type: | Personal |
Many of us want to know about our roots, but trying to track them down can be overwhelming. Luckily, tools for exploring your family history have just gotten kicked up a notch with the release of Family Tree Maker 2008. This wonderfully simple software, which almost does your genealogy for you, syncs with genealogy Web site
Installation went smoothly, but once I tried to register my software and sync it with my Ancestry.com account, I encountered problems. Even after trying different machines and adjusting firewall settings, I had no luck with this crucial step. Without the link to Ancestry.com, the software is far less useful, because that's where you'll find the millions of records that you want to use to fill in missing branches of your family tree. The problem, according to company reps, was that there was a connectivity issue with some Internet providers (Comcast, in my case). Downloading a patch from the Web site fixed the glitch, however, and, within 10 minutes, I had a family history starting with me and going back to my great-grandparents on my dad's side. I didn't have to search for any of the information—Family Tree Maker and Ancestry.com did everything for me. Your mileage may vary, however; some people's families are better documented than others. Still, I was quite impressed.
When you open a new file, or Tree, you'll see an interface divided by clear headings, at the top of the window, denoting various sections. These are further broken down by tabs. First is the Plan option, which allows you to outline tasks and view progress on current Trees. You can also start a new Tree.
The bulk of the actual family tree part of the program falls under the People heading. This is also where you input the majority of your information. The two tab options in this case are Family, which shows an extended view of the family tree, and Person, which homes in on one specific individual. Each branch of the family tree in the Family section includes an Add Father or Add Mother prompt. Click on either and a small window appears, allowing you to enter the appropriate ancestor's name. Suppose, though, that you know the name, but have no birth or death dates?—
Family Tree Maker + Ancestry.com = Genealogy
Because Family Tree Maker syncs with Ancestry.com, all it takes to find the missing info (in many cases) is a mouse click. Family Tree Maker searches Ancestry.com for each name entered into your Tree, and denotes possible matches to people in the site's vast store of geneaological data (including other people's published trees) with green leaf icons. As far as I know, no other family history software includes this feature. You can verify this information, and if deemed correct, include it in your family tree by clicking on the Merge button.
Want to keep some of the information but not all of it? Family Tree Maker gives different options, so you can either merge the new details exactly as they are, save them as alternate information, or ignore them. Click on the Person tab and you can view all the details about an individual. A mini family tree appears above the main workspace, so you can easily switch among ancestors.
The Places heading syncs with Microsoft Visual Earth to show a satellite map of where your ancestors lived (a current map, of course—sadly, nobody seems to have developed technology for showing satellite maps as they would have looked in the 1800s). Unfortunately, I hit another snag here, receiving a message about a script error.
Under a heading entitled Media, you'll find a handy feature that allows you to save links to files on your hard drive— photos and film footage, for example—and even links to online sources. All it takes is a quick click-and-drag move from Family Tree Maker's built-in Web browser. Another nifty tool helps if, for example, you don't know the name of your great-grandfather's spouse. Click over to Web Search, and the built-in browser lets you hit your favorite genealogy sites (like Ancestry.com) or even Google.
Citing sources is a crucial aspect of genealogical research—writing down research sources can often open new avenues of exploration that further your exploration. Accordingly, Family Tree Maker includes a Sources section. Information found through Ancestry.com automatically appears in this grouping. There's also a tab that allows you to make notes or add media for each source.
Once you've uploaded all your genealogical information into Family Tree Maker, the software provides numerous options for publishing your research. You can print reports by person, generation, media, places, or source. The most interesting is the book option, which allows you to print or order (from Family Tree Maker) a customizable, coffee-table–esque book documenting your coveted lineage. You can easily upload to Ancestry.com and publish your site online so that other family members can enjoy and contribute to it, or even make it searchable by the entire ancestry community.
Family Tree Maker provides a fast, painless way to research your ancestors—as long as you have the requisite subscription to Ancestry.com. Prices vary from $12.95 monthly for an annual national membership to $24.95 for an annual world membership—on top of the $39.95 you'll shell out on Family Tree Maker. It may sound like a lot of money, but if you've got the genealogy bug, you know it really isn't. The software offers an excellent way to keep track of your research, and the Web site has millions of records that would take you many years (and considerable expense) to track down on your own. As with most genealogy software, this program is only offered for Windows XP and Vista platforms. But if you use one of those operating systems, this software is a great tool for finding your roots.
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