EmailGenealogy programs are loaded with features that vary from one program to the next. Experts say you should look for these features in family tree maker software:
- Organizational skills. First and foremost, you want a program that easily records events in your ancestors' lives (including births, marriages and deaths) plus your sources for each piece of information. Most programs let you "memorize" source citations, so you don't have to keep retyping that information. You also want software that can handle conflicting evidence for the same event (such as two different birth dates for one individual). Most programs allow you to enter multiple dates and locations for an event. Easy navigation through individual, family and pedigree views is important because it lets you see the big picture and the small details, as well as jump from generation to generation.
- GEDCOM compatibility. All the popular programs let you import and export GEDCOM files (GEDCOM stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunication, the universal family tree file format). If you and your relatives use different genealogy programs, you can still swap family data, as long as you work with GEDCOMs and not your programs' proprietary file formats. Just e-mail a GEDCOM file to relatives or upload portions of your family tree to one of the many free online pedigree databases. Your kin can then download that GEDCOM and incorporate the data into their own family files. Some programs do handle GEDCOM transfers better than others, however. Inevitably, small bits of data could get lost between your relative's computer and your own.
- Reports and charts. Most researchers want software that can create quality pedigree charts (which show one person's ancestors) and family group sheets (which summarize data on a couple and their children), so they don't have to fill them out by hand. If you're looking to create fancy wall charts, Family Tree Maker used to be your best bet. Although Family Tree Maker falls short on some other details, it does excel at producing attractive graphical charts, with either a predefined template or your choice of fonts and borders. But most other software programs, including RootsMagic 3 and Master Genealogist v7 Gold, can produce wall charts, too. Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Deluxe now includes charting software. Personal Ancestral File doesn't build charts well on its own; you'll have to spring for PAF Companion. Also, consider whether you want to produce a narrative, book-format report.
- Web capabilities. The Internet has become a key part of genealogical research. Most software programs help users create a website so they can share research with others online. Both RootsMagic 3 and Reunion 9 (for Mac users) will publish your data online automatically -- if you so choose. The Master Genealogist v7 Gold can output to HTML for web pages. Family Tree Maker can't produce reports in HTML format for publishing on your own website, but you can publish on Family Tree Maker's servers.
- Extras. Some programs try to sweeten the pot by throwing in all kinds of extras, including multimedia options, basic photo-editing capabilities (Legacy Family Tree and RootsMagic), to-do lists (Legacy Family Tree's stand out) and other goodies. Family Tree Legends and Family Tree Maker help you search online genealogy databases for ancestral information.
- Try before you buy. Before splurging on any software, experts recommend giving the free trial or demo version that most offer a whirl. In fact, it's not a bad idea to try out a couple of programs to see what you do and don't like before committing. Don't worry about reentering data if you switch software. Using GEDCOMs, you can easily transfer your family tree from one program to another.