Major News! FamilyTreeMaker is back!

This just in from Ancestry.com! 

New Family Tree Maker Options

By: Kendall Hulet

Since our Family Tree Maker announcement last December, we have continued to actively explore ways to develop and support Family Tree Maker and ensure you have choices to preserve your work in ways that matter to you.

Today, I am pleased to announce two options for desktop software that will work with Ancestry.

Software MacKiev

Software MacKiev, with whom we have a long-standing relationship, is acquiring the Family Tree Maker software line as publisher for both Mac and Windows versions. Software MacKiev has been the developer of Family Tree Maker for Mac for more than six years and is thrilled at the opportunity to publish future versions of Family Tree Maker for Mac and Windows.

This new agreement means you will receive software updates and new versions from Software MacKiev, and have the ability to purchase new versions of Family Tree Maker from Software MacKiev as they are released.   You will have continued access to Ancestry Hints, Ancestry searches, and be able to save your tree on Ancestry with Family Tree Maker moving forward.

RootsMagic

We have made an agreement with RootsMagic, a leading genealogy desktop software program publisher, to connect Ancestry with the RootsMagic software by the end of 2016. With this new relationship, RootsMagic can serve as your desktop family tree software, while having access to Ancestry hints, Ancestry searches, and the ability to save your tree on Ancestry.

We have heard your concerns and are working to provide the solutions you requested. These new agreements will make it possible to preserve your work on Ancestry and Family Tree Maker and enable future features and benefits to help you discover your family history. 

Be assured that Ancestry, in cooperation with Software MacKiev and RootsMagic, will continue to support you as you discover your family history.

We ask for your patience as we work diligently through all the details to make these solutions available. Be sure to check back on our blog as we share more information about Family Tree Maker in the next few months.

For more information on Software MacKiev and RootsMagic, click below:

●      Software MacKiev:   http://www.mackiev.com/

●      RootsMagic:   http://www.rootsmagic.com/

The World is Not Ending (More Information re Family Tree Maker Disappearing)

Unless you've been living under a rock you no doubt know that Family Tree Maker is being discontinued. The Ancestry announcement came out a few days ago and I wrote about it at FamilyTreeMaker Bombshell Rocks the GeneaSphere


Ancestry listened to the concerns of their customers and have issued an update which explains very clearly how long the sync feature will last (another year), how long the program itself will continue to function as a desktop genealogy program (forever unless you switch to a new computer or operating system that doesn't recognize it) and best of all that they are considering partnerships with other companies to allow the tree syncing feature to continue. 

Read the details here

 

FamilyTreeMaker Bombshell Rocks the GeneaSphere

Yesterday evening the Genealogy Community almost exploded with the sudden news that Ancestry FamilyTreeMaker (FTM) is being discontinued. Part of the blog post and email sent out by Ancestry stated

....we’ve taken a hard look at the declining desktop software market and the impact this has on being able to continue to provide product enhancements and support that our users need. With that, we’ve made the tough decision to stop selling Family Tree Maker as of December 31, 2015.

And it began - owners of FTM, furious at the news, began screaming on Social Media sites. One of the top complaints I spotted was "It's the busiest time of year! How can I get my media files and online tree saved to my computer before the end of December!!!"

Those FTM owners who continued reading the announcement would have seen this bit

"Ancestry will continue to support current owners of Family Tree Maker through January 1, 2017. During this time, all features of the software, including TreeSync™, will continue to work, and Member Services will be available to assist with user questions. We will also address major software bugs that may occur, as well as compatibility updates."

In other words, those affected by this decision have an entire year to do whatever they need to do.

I happen to be a long-time user of FTM (over 18 years! Check out my personal collection of FTM versions in the graphic above) but the sync feature is not that important to me. I like the Ancestry hints that pop up when I view the Pedigree of an individual but I can get the same results by searching on the Ancestry website. 

I hope folks understand that the software program itself will continue to work until you upgrade your operating system to something that doesn't recognize the program! So we all have time to find a new program and start learning how to use it.

There are many alternate software programs available for family trees. If you are a windows user you have Legacy Family Tree , RootsMagic (with a special $20.00 offer for FTM users) and many others. 

Mac users (like me) have fewer options. RootsMagic has a special time-limited offer on their software. If you are an FTM user wanting to switch you can get the full RootsMagic version for $20.00  

I decided to buy RootsMagic for Mac but I was confused by the page for the FTM users to switch. It seemed to only be for those wanting to buy RootsMagic for Windows. So I reached out to Bruce Buzbee, CEO of RootsMagic and here is his response

"The CD version includes the download also. It is shipped because it includes the printed book"

After learning that, I ordered the RootsMagic software this morning. I'm not going to set it up until after the New Year and then I'll get started. Who knows, maybe I will like it better than FTM! 

Don't Miss the July 4th Specials on DNA and FTM

If you have been waiting to order a DNA kit or the popular genealogy software FamilyTreeMaker, now's the time. Ancestry is holding a 20% OFF DNA - July 2-6 only! 

Update on Ancestry Websites After the DDOS Attacks

Here is the latest update from Ancestry.com about the outages caused by the DDOS Attack last week. Contrary to what Conspiracy Theorists were posting on various Social Media sites, Rootsweb has *not* been taken down, and it is now functional. 

I'm waiting to see if some of the more vocal conspiracy theorists will admit on those same forums that they were wrong...... 

Kudos to Ancestry staff for trying to reassure users throughout this mess. And of course congrats to those users who kept their cool while waiting for sites to be restored! Personally I'm pretty happy to see my Olive Tree Genealogy Extras website back online.

UPDATE: June 24, 8:00pm MT:

- Family Tree Maker (FTM) sync is working again for PC and Mac. If you are still experiencing difficulties syncing FTM Mac, make sure you have the most current patch, shut FTM down completely (Command + Q), and reboot your machine to make sure that the DNS cache gets updated.

- DNA downloads of raw data have been restored.

- Access to RootsWeb has been restored, however there are lingering issues with logging in, and with access and searching WorldConnect. We are working to restore this access tonight, but you may see some intermittent outages in the process.

UPDATE: June 24, 12:30pm MT:
- The connectivity issues for Family Tree Maker Mac version have been Service to RootsWeb, MyFamily.com and Genealogy.com has been restored. (Note: While RootsWeb is up, we are aware of some issues with the WorldConnect database and are looking into this.)

- GEDCOM files from Ancestry Member Trees are now available for download

Our team continues to work on MyCanvas, Mundia and the Y-DNA and mtDNA websites as well as the search and sync connectivity issues for the Mac version of Family Tree Maker. We will provide an update as they are made available. 

The Anticipation of Snail Mail!

There's something very satisfying about receiving genealogy info and documents via snail mail. You wait expectantly (and eagerly) for weeks. Then one day as you are shuffling through the half-dozen pieces of mail that arrived, the envelope you've been longing for appears.

That is SUCH an exciting moment! The records on great-grandmother Harriet that you've been waiting for is here at last! I'm such a nerdy geek that my heart starts racing a bit and my hands shake. The anticipation is overwhelming but I don't rip open the envelope. 

I make tea, sit down and open the envelope at my leisure. There's something so satisfying about the whole process! Prolonging it extends the enjoyment, just like Christmas. Some people rip the wrapping paper off a present in two seconds and dig right into the gift. Me, I like to unwrap it carefully, savouring every moment of anticipation, wondering what lies within. 

I admit that I miss the mounds of genealogy snail mail I used to get. Remember those days? Before there was so much data online? When we all wrote queries and answered queries in genealogy newsletters? When we ordered records from libraries and archives that were far afield? Don't get me wrong, I love that genealogy records are now at our fingertips! But I miss the buildup of excitement and anticipation one can only get with the sound of mail delivery, the clang of the mail slot on your front door or hearing the mail carrier's car at your mailbox.

And yes, I did receive  some exciting pieces of info over the last week. Documents and newspaper clippings I requested over a month ago finally arrived. The next stage is almost as much fun as the wait. First, a quick glance and read of all the documents. I can't force myself to read and analyze one at a time, that's too slow!

After I read them all quickly, I choose one and read it more carefully. At this stage I might open my genealogy program Family Tree Maker, and find the individual that goes with the document. But I don't enter the information yet. That comes later after I've slowly read and re-read all the documents in the pile. 

Then, and only then, do I enter the information in each document in my genealogy program. Next step is to scan every piece of paper and file it digitally as well as physically. That's where I fall down. I don't always get that paper filed right away. So what I've started doing is labeling it on the back with the name of the person and the source if it's not already noted. I've been burned too many times with finding a document in an old stack of papers on my desk, reading it, and not being quite sure why I have it! Lesson learned.

What about you? Do you have snail mail longings?

An FTM Archive I Didn't Know I Had

My FTM Archive

I didn't know I had an FTM (Family Tree Maker) Archive. But I do. I found it while looking for the software for one of my printers. That's my FTM Archive on the left.

The earliest FTM version I own is Version 3.01. It came out in 1996.  My most recent is FamilyTreeMaker 2012.

Yep, I've been using FTM for at least 16 years! I say "at least" because I'm pretty sure I bought it before 1996.

I think that pre-1996 versions were not CD-ROMs, but the little floppy discs we used to use. Unfortunately I can't find my stash of floppies so I don't know for sure what year I started using FTM.

Obviously I love it!






I recently obtained FTM 2012 for both my Windows Computer and my MacBook Air but have yet to install or test drive them. If past history is an indicator, I'm going to love FTM 2012 as much as my previous versions.






Here are the versions I currently have in my FTM Archive. What versions do you have?

1996 Version 3.01 Version 3.4 Version 4 1998 Version 4.4 Version 5.0 1999 Version 6 2000 Version 7.5 Version 8

2001 Version 9 2004 FTM 2005 2005 FTM 2006 2007 FTM 2008 2010 FTM 2011 2011 FTM 2012

Family Tree Maker 2012 Discount

Some good news! If you use FTM, you can get 20% off Family Tree Maker 2012 at Ancestry.com

I've got mine on order and am impatiently waiting for it!

Right now I'm using FTM 2011 both for Windows and Mac and although at first I didn't like the huge jump I had to make to upgrade from a very old version, now I love it.

How to Transfer FTM files from a Windows PC to a Mac

Recently I upgraded from FTM2005 to FTM2011. Yes - it was a huge jump and a steep learning curve. In fact I’m still learning the ins and outs of 2011.

To add to my challenge, I also purchased a MacBookAir. I’ve never used a Mac, being a Windows PC user for many years. I do have an iPad and iPhone so am familiar with Apple products but a MacBook is quite different.

I found myself struggling with the new Mac operating system but needed to get my programs installed and files moved before my upcoming trip to Salt Lake City Utah. 

My next move was to install FTM for Mac on my new MacBookAir. That was easy. But how to move my Windows files for FTM over to my Mac? Could it be done? I needed to be able to work in identical programs on two vastly different machines - my main Windows computer and my MacBookAir.

Thanks to FTM’s File Migration Utility Guide (a one page how-to) it was super easy!

My first step was to put my FTM for Mac CD into my PC CD-ROM drive. There is a folder called FTM FILE MIGRATION UTILITY and there I found and clicked on FTMFileMigrationSetup.exe  This automatically installed the File Migration Utility for Windows on my PC.

Next I made sure my machines were connected via my network. I could have used a flash drive, DVD or even an FTP program to transfer files but I wanted to try it via the network connection.

I created my GEDCOM in 2005 and then exported it to 2011. Done.

Next step was to open FTM on my Mac and choose IMPORT, then my shared network (which is my main computer), select the FTM2011 file I had just created from the FTM2005 GEDCOM and import it.

Bingo! Done. My FTM files from my Windows PC were safely installed on my new MacBookAir and accessible in my FTM for Mac. Now to learn how to use FTM2011!

Family Tree Maker for Mac Now Available

The following is a Press Release from Ancestry.com

ANCESTRY.COM UNVEILS NEW FAMILY TREE MAKER FOR MAC

#1-Selling Family History Software Now Available in Mac Version

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., November 4, 2010 – Ancestry.com today announced the launch of Family Tree Maker® for Mac, the new Mac version of the world’s No.-1 selling family history software. Family Tree Maker for Mac provides an easy way to save and organize your family tree conveniently on your Mac computer and has a variety of tools that can help you share your discoveries with family and friends.

“Family Tree Maker for Mac has been a long-requested feature from our customers. We are committed to delivering the same powerful experience on the Mac that millions of Family Tree Maker customers have been enjoying for the past 20 years,” said Eric Shoup, Senior Vice President of Product for Ancestry.com. “We couldn’t be happier to provide yet another way for our members to interact with Ancestry.com and discover, preserve and share their family history.”

Family Tree Maker for Mac combines intuitive tools with robust features and flexible options, making it ideal for family history novices and experts alike. A dynamic user interface and integration with Ancestry.com makes it simple to create family trees, record memories, and organize photos, videos and audio clips, plus share ancestors’ stories. It’s even possible to explore family migration paths by viewing timelines and interactive maps that highlight events and places in ancestors' lives.

The first step is to start a family tree by entering and organizing family history information. From there, a myriad of features help you bring your family history to life:

· Grow your family tree – Search Ancestry.com directly from Family Tree Maker and seamlessly merge historical records and important information you find into your tree. Family Tree Maker for Mac comes with either a free trial or subscription to Ancestry.com.

· Organize photos and documents in one location – Add photos, documents, audio, video and other media files to the people in your tree to help make their stories even more fascinating.

· Create family books, charts and reports – Publish beautiful keepsakes and books to share with friends and family.

· Craft slideshows – Create slideshows from photos in your tree.

· Cite the right information – Standard source templates make it easy.

· Explore family migration paths – View timelines and interactive maps, highlighting events and places in your ancestors' lives.

· Track information – Powerful sourcing tools let you document and rate each citation.

Family Tree Maker for Mac is now available for purchase online at starting at $69.99. The program is also available in select retail stores, including Apple Stores, Amazon, Office Depot, and Office Max.

System requirements for Family Tree Maker for Macinclude:

· Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later

· Intel-based Mac

· Hard Disk Space: 500MB for installation

· Internet access is required for all Web integration

Family Tree Maker for Mac is built on the functionality of Family Tree Maker 2010, the PC-version of the software, and is constructed from the bottom up to take full advantage of the Mac platform in terms of technology and user experience.