Issue 49.15
Part Two
The question I get asked most often is, “Which genealogy software program do you use?” If you look on my computer you will find Legacy 8.0, RootsMagic 6 and Personal Ancestral File. My actual go to program is PAF, yes it still works and because I just use it as a reference copy as I add and correct information in Family Tree, it is fine. I use the others for clients and for charting. I do not use the automated synchronizing processes between Family Tree and the programs because I find it very monotonous and kind of boring. I like to compare the databases side by side, clean up Family Tree by adding sources and check to see if any data problems are there. It is more enjoyable to me because I can see the photos, read the notes and pick up on any silly problems like 34 children in one family.
Programs that will synchronize with Family Tree can save time if you have a lot of data on your computer that you need to add to the Family Tree and don’t want to type it in again. These synchronizing programs can also bring you information from the Family Tree. They are automated but you still need to pay attention because the programs don’t always know that John Jones in Wales married three wives named Ann. It might get mixed up and think all three were the same family and combine them, causing a mess.
You can have a theory on a family that you may not want to add to the Family Tree, but it would be nice to have it computerized as your work on it, this is another reason to have your desktop program. You can keep doing research and prove your conclusions and then add the correct information to the Family Tree. A word of caution: Don’t wait until your tree is perfect to add it. We never will have a perfect tree and the Family Tree was designed to stop the duplication of research, so if you are reasonably sure you have a family put together, add it to the Family Tree, add the sources you have, and you may be surprised by the family members who contact you and are willing to collaborate and help with the research process.
People get new computer, or computers crash and some forget to back up their genealogy software. It can be a very sad day for that person, so an online Family Tree will solve the heartache. Hit and miss people who want to check grandpa’s death date one year and two years later check on an aunt will do just fine only using the Family Tree. As a genealogist I need a desktop genealogy program, or two or three.
There are many programs to choose from https://familysearch.org/apps/ will give you a list. I’ve tried Ancestral Quest, Charting Companion, FamilyInsight, Hope Chest, Legacy Family Tree, Personal Ancestral File, Puzzilla, Record Seek, RootsMagic, Tree Seek, etc. and they all gave great attributes and some are even free. It is a personal decision and the above link will give you product descriptions. I like a program that isn’t so complicated that it takes brain function that I would rather use to concentrate on research instead of thinking about how to run software.
The best advice would be to keep your research in several places, back it up, paper copies are fine if you prefer that, maintain your own autonomous database for reference but share what you have and you will get further faster. Be careful synchronizing and changing other people’s data unless you are sure what you are doing is correct.
For more information, contact Shanna Jones 435-628-4900 shannasjones@msn.com