EmailBest Reviewed
Genealogy Software
- Best genealogy software RootsMagic 3 *Est. $30
- Best genealogy software (tie with RootsMagic) Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Deluxe *Est. $35
- Free family tree software Personal Ancestral File 5.2 *Est. $0
- Best genealogy software for Mac Reunion 9 *Est. $100
- Best genealogy software for professionals The Master Genealogist v7 Gold *Est. $60
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Best genealogy software for professionals
- Best for pros
- Sophisticated publishing formats
- Can record and note conflicting data
- Can run on Macs (but designed for PCs)
- Very steep learning curve
- Expensive
Family Tree Magazine provides comments on The Master Genealogist v7 Gold, plus a longer review of the previous version. TopTenReviews.com publishes a detailed and granular features comparison of genealogy software, along with a short editorial review of the previous version. The individual review we found at About.com is helpful and written by a genealogical pro. Users at GenSoftReviews.com rate the program and comment on it.
Reviews say The Master Genealogist v7 Gold is the best software for professionals or for amateurs who want to record encyclopedic details. But every review we saw indicates most will find the learning curve daunting. In fact, you can now buy instructional books and videos in order to learn The Master Genealogist. As with most top programs, you can seamlessly import Genealogical Data Communications (GEDCOM) files, and there are some sophisticated publishing formats that you would use for academic journals. One plus is that you can record conflicting data rather than have to pick one. TMG can be run on Macs but is not specifically designed for them like Reunion 9 (*est. $100). If you want something simple for a PC, reviews suggest RootsMagic 3 (*est. $30) or Legacy Family Tree 7.0 (*est. $35).
Our Sources
This genealogy magazine doesn't give software an ultimate ranking, but editors do discuss advantages and disadvantages to each software title. The Master Genealogist v7 Gold's drawback is its "steep learning curve."
Review: Software Guide, Editors of Family Tree Magazine, 2008
You can find Family Tree's 2002 full review of the previous version of The Master Genealogist posted on its message board. Among the plusses noted are "unlimited customization." The reviewer says that while the learning curve is "steep," it is less difficult to learn than earlier versions were.
Review: The Master Genealogist Gold 6.12 For Windows Software Review, Rick Crume, Oct. 2002
In this comparison chart, the previous version of The Master Genealogist Gold ranks fifth because it's so complex. The reviewer says it's a great product "if you're tackling genealogy with the discipline of a statistician."
Review: The Master Genealogist 6.12 Gold, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
4. About.com
Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist who ranks software based on her personal opinion. She calls the previous version of The Master Genealogist a good choice for serious genealogists. It offers great detail but is hard to learn. (Note that ConsumerSearch and About.com are owned by the same company but are editorially independent.)
Review: Genealogy Software Roundup 2007, Kimberley and Albrecht Powell, Oct. 2007
GenSoftReviews.com lists user ratings of genealogy software. You can get to the comments by clicking on the software title. The Master Genealogist is rated by 60 users and receives a slightly above average overall score.
Review: The Master Genealogist, Contributors to GenSoftReviews.com
Genealogy Software Runners Up:
4 picks by top review sites.
Family Tree Maker 2009 Deluxe [OLD VERSION]
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