subject: Generations vs Family Tree Maker: Features Review [print this page] Generations vs Family Tree Maker: Features Review
There are many genealogy software programs to help you build your family tree. Deciding which one is right for you can be a challenge. Costs vary, but generally are in the $40 price range.
Perhaps the most well-known and top-selling software program for genealogists is, "Family Tree Maker". It's produced by Ancestry.com so you know it will have all the features that you'll need to make your family tree easily.
This is a powerful software program, designed to keep all of your information organized and easily viewed.
The good folks at Ancestry have a new version out of their program for 2011. Like its older versions it has all of the key features needed by anyone trying to build their family tree. You will find varied supplemental charts, timelines, and family trees. Their charts are now improved, with four new fan chart styles and the ability to enhance your charts by creating new backgrounds, borders and embellishments. Fonts are easily changed so you can easily use this feature to highlight important facts.
You can also produce ancestor and descendent reports on many different relatives easier now than ever before because you can reuse report settings. Historical events can be added to really make your timelines come to life.
Another very popular feature is its multi-media ability. As always, you can easily upload your own photographs, videos or audio clips to make your family tree really spring to life. But, Ancestry made improvements in this area too. Now it is easier than ever to drag and drop or cut and paste all your media. They even thought of a nice feature to help you locate missing media files which is nice because if you're like me, you sometimes forget where you've saved your files!
All of the records at Ancestry.com are still fully integrated, but they've added some new features that will help you connect with others who are researching your names. This makes making those critical connections is easier than ever. This can be found in the "Member's Connect" section and thru all the links they provide for message boards.
And finally, they've made adding all those interesting family stories easier too with their "Stories", narrative tool.
All and all, the combination of Family Tree Maker software and the many databases at Ancestry make for a sure fire easy way to complete your family tree. However, it may not be in your budget to make this purchase. Not to worry, because there are low cost alternatives.
One of these is from My Heritage. It gets top reviews from experienced genealogists even though you won't get quite all the bells and whistles as its higher priced competitors.
This program is easy to use, and allows you to upload your family tree to the Internet. You can also tag people in your photographs so that visitors to your tree can see who people are.
Either of these two programs can help you get your family tree completed, so jump in there and get started!
