Family Tree Magazine

February 2008


Family Tree Maker 2008

Completely different in feel and functionality, Family Tree Maker 2008 is a complete rewrite of earlier versions of the program. David Frost's previous version of Family Tree Maker was version 11 so he was certainly expecting some major improvements for Family Tree Maker 2008 and he wasn't disappointed.

I started by importing a GEDCOM file created in RootsMagic. You can import directly from earlier versions of Family Tree Maker or from Personal Ancestral File (PAF), Legacy Family Tree and The Master Genealogist. Inevitably there were a few glitches in the transferred notes but nothing out of the ordinary with a GEDCOM import. Much to my suprise the GEDCOM import also included all but four of the photos in the RootsMagic file, which was a welcome bonus. You shouldn't have problems transferring direct from an older version of Family Tree Maker.

Charts & Menus
The default view is a pedigree chart with up to five generations. When an individual is highlighted the details of their spouse and children appear at the bottom of the screen. A data entry box appears on the right and a list of all the people in the file on the left. You can customise what is shown in the right and left hand panes and alter the size of the pedigree pane. The colour scheme is a relaxing blue with a white background and the text is easy to read. Pictures are shown, where you have them, and there's scope to enter other media such as video, scanned images and documents. Sources, too, can be recorded.
As well as the on screen information there are 17 printable report options and three charts. In addition you will be able to access Ancestry Press for online publishing when this service comes to the UK in 2008. As you would expect, the reports and charts can all be customised to suit your needs. There's a relationship calculator which includes in-laws as well as direct relatives.

Place Names
An interesting feature is the list of place names. The program will resolve any place names in your database that it doesn't recognise to ensure consistency. There's a distinct US feel to some of the alternatives but of course you don't have to accept them.
Suprisingly, Chapman county codes were not instantly identified. On the other hand there's a welcome selection of English language variants - US, Canadian and Australian as well as UK - for the spell checker.

FTM Screenshot

What's included?
The cost includes a 14-day premium subscription to www.ancestry.co.uk which enables you to search the Ancestry.co.uk records for details of your ancestors.
One of the seven pane options allows you to search the Ancestry.co.uk site directly from Family Tree Maker using the data you have in your database. It's a lot easier than logging into Ancestry.co.uk and having to enter the data yourself. Facilities like this are defining the future of genealogical research.
Should I upgrade?
Almost certainly the answer is yes. This ia a brand new program that will run alongside rather than on top of the older versions so you can play with it as much as you like before finally migrating. If you're starting from scratch this is definitely a program to consider. I found it simple to use with a good, clear display of data and a wide range of reports. The direct access to online searches will appeal, especially to anyone who is at an early stage of researching their family or who had reached a brick wall.

Family Tree Maker is available from www.GenealogySupplies.com or by phoning 01722 716121 and pressing 1 for the Sales department. It costs £18.45 for the standard edition. The deluxe and platinum editions are £36.95 and £59.95 respecitvely, for which you get the same software but with extra goodies such as a getting started manual, a training DVD, and a longer free subscription period.

Find Out More:

Family Tree Maker 2008 Flatpack - available from GenealogySupplies.com

Family Tree Maker 2008 Deluxe - available from GenealogySupplies.com

Family Tree Maker 2008 Platinum - available from GenealogySupplies.com