February 4 – Is your genealogy software working for you?

Check the manufacturer’s Web site for upgrades, or try out a different program. You’ll find software comparisons on-line, type “genealogy software comparisons” in your favorite search engine and read about it.

I’m a firm believer that there is no one ideal genealogy software for everyone. We all approach our research a little different and thus there are many different types of programs. I always recommend that people try the free downloads or trials. Input several generations, such as yourself and spouse and children along with your parents and siblings and your Grandparents and aunts and uncles. This gives you a feeling how easily or difficult inputting new data is. Don’t forget to try running various reports, input sources and try to export and input GEDCOM files. The easiest way to input GEDCOM file (if you don't already have a genealogy software package) is to download one from Ancestry.com and then import it and see how it labels your import data. How does it source this information, how does it handle merging duplicate people and information? You don’t want to spend the money and time with a new genealogy software package, only to find out two months down the line that it doesn’t produce a report you really like using, doesn’t source your imported data the way you want it to source, doesn’t merge duplicate people the way you had hope.

Don’t forget to see how often updates become available. I personally use Family Tree Maker because it was basically the only one available back in 1997 that seemed to work the way my brain did. The downfall is that there seems to be an update every year. Even though I don’t update every year, before you know it, you are several updates olds and feel forced to update. This can get kind of expensive while other programs like Legacy seem to update every 3 years.

Check out the message boards and see what users think of the software. You can get a feel based on the questions asked. You will also learn about the special things it can do, when users ask if the package can do something and they get a reply telling them either no or yes and this is how.

Now, keep in mind, picking a genealogy software package is like buying a house. Unless you build the house to your specifications, you probably won’t find the “perfect” house. You may have to settle on your wish list. Make a pro and cons list and see what you are settling for. Determine your must haves and your would likes. Try to get the most of each. Good hunting.