Software suggestions for newbies

DearREADERS,
Ol' Myrt here has been compiling lists for newbie genealogists this past month. This is by no means a comprehensive list of the genealogy software out there, but these suggestions may be of assistance without being overwhelming.

GENEALOGY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE has been designed to:

1. Record the names, dates, places and source citations for events that occur in each ancestor’s life.
2. Create & display family relationships in family and pedigree format.
3. Print a variety of reports including name lists, locality lists, charts (fan, ancestor, descendant, etc.)
4. Share data with others using a generic GEDCOM file format.
5. Some programs include mapping, IGI search & other capabilities.

Windows-compatible genealogy management software of note includes:

• Ancestral Quest www.ancquest.com
• Legacy Family Treewww.LegacyFamilyTree.com
• PAF Personal Ancestral Filewww.familysearch.org/eng/paf
• RootsMagic www.RootsMagic.com
• The Master Genealogist www.whollygenes.com

Mac computers can run these programs in Parallels or look into Mac OS compatible software by going to www.macgenealogy.org

MAPPING SOFTWARE

• AniMap shows the development of each US colony and state over time, making it easier to place your ancestor in context with government jurisdictions. www.goldbug.com
• Family Atlas www.familyatlas.com
• Map My Family Tree www.progenysoftware.com/brands/genealogy_map.php

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOFTWARE

• GenSmarts thinks through the missing info in your genealogy database (like marriage info) and compares it with online databases and a variety of library catalogs to come up with a list of concrete suggestions for where to look next. In Ol' Myrt's database of 16,000 ancestors, GenSmarts provides over 50,000 research suggestions. The ones I've worked through are 80% right-on and very useful. www.GenSmarts.com

IGI CHECKING SOFTWARE

• PAF Insight works only with PAF databases www.ohanasoftware.com

FOR FURTHER READING

• Cyndi's List - Software www.cyndislist.com/software.htm

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com
http://blog.DearMYRTLE.com

© 2008 Pat Richley All Rights Reserved.