RootsMagic 7 is a fairly easy-to-use software that allows you to build an extensive family tree, with as many relatives as you like. My opinion of Ancestry is that they are driven by corporate greed, while RootsMagic appears to be driven by a true interest in genealogical success.Family Tree Software for Novices and Experts Alike – FREE VERSION So in summary, I'd suggest a vastly polar opposite corporate culture for RootsMagic than for Ancestry. They also have companion software intended for that purpose.

This sounds extremely promising/interesting. I'm still hooked on FamilyTreeMaker's ability to print a large chart as a pdf (eg 10 feet on 36' paper) that I can take to my local print shop.Īnd I need to explore their ability to build a book based on your family tree. However, I haven't fully explored their printing yet. When you start it up on your PC there is a popup with news items and possible software updates to download. It can also import many other formats, such as FTM directly. Perhaps I'm old school, but having something to read helps you understand what it can do).Ĭompare trees seems powerful if you have multiple versions of your tree, or are comparing your tree to someone elses. I haven't fully explored this yet, but it looks very promising.Īnd a manual that details how to do things. They also have a Publish to Web option where you can make a website that they host. I recently burned 6 copies to share with my cousins. Called Sharable CD, but I burn mine to a USB stick. You can make a copy of your database to distribute to family members and they can view it on their PC. RootsToGo - You can take you database on a USB stick to the Library, FamilyHIstory Centre etc. Online hints - They support hints from multiple sources Grouping - You can make your own groups of people Problem lists - Allows extensive validation checking, and offers flexibility in what it checksĬolour coding - Like highlighting a hardcopy Some details I really like about Roots Magic:Ĭount trees - Will find 'islands' of people in your tree, IE disconnected sections Yes its coming soon (in fall 2016, I think) I'm expecting to transition from FamilyTreeMaker to RootsMagic when RootsMagic supports syncing with Ancestry. While its GUI Interface isn't as slick as Ancestry browser based GUI, its functionality as a PC based program far exceeds what I can get our of Ancestry online. In general I like what I see with RootsMagic, but I still consider myself a novice with it. So I now have all 3: Ancestry Online, FamilyTreeMaker on my PC and RootsMagic on my PC.

So when Ancestry announced that it would stop supporting FamilyTreeMaker, RootsMagic announced a special deal to allow customers to move to RootsMagic. However my long term experience with Ancestry is not positive. I started out with Ancestry, and used them extensively.

New tree share rootsmagic 7