| Family tree maker software can be of enormous | | | | get access to to find out a huge number of |
| help in your quest to unravel the family past and | | | | details about a host of people. (More about this |
| share your findings with others. Different versions | | | | feature later.) |
| vary in price and features and one of the first | | | | - You'll be able to merge the branches of your |
| decisions any family tree researcher will have to | | | | family trees. You can take existing family trees |
| face is whether to invest in the latest and | | | | either directly from their databases or through |
| greatest paid software or go with one of the | | | | other family members and merge those into your |
| cheaper or even free options. Here are some | | | | existing tree. The family tree maker software |
| pros and cons of choosing to take the plunge and | | | | takes care to remove all the repetitions and |
| invest in one of those programs. | | | | position the incoming branch accordingly. |
| One of the best known such programs is the | | | | - It helps you validate your research: You can |
| eponymous Family Tree Maker. Its latest version | | | | keep track of all the research material you used |
| comes with many features, well suited to both | | | | to get the information about your family. What's |
| the beginners and the professionals. Do you need | | | | more, you can even rate your citations to make |
| all of them? Maybe not, but they will make your | | | | your research credible. |
| life much easier and your project much more fun. | | | | - You'll be able to use maps. This is especially |
| Can it all be done without the expense? Of course | | | | useful to track the movement and residence of |
| it can, you just need to be willing to make the | | | | your ancestors through space and time. |
| effort to learn how! | | | | - The software comes with a timeline feature. |
| Having said that, here are some things to consider | | | | This feature in the family tree maker software |
| about this program in its latest version: | | | | allows you to note historically important events in |
| - Family Tree Maker software is truly user | | | | the evolution of your family. This will especially |
| friendly. This is important because there are just | | | | serve well if you had relatives involved directly in |
| so many features around that you can easily get | | | | wars or other major events. |
| lost! The interface makes it easy to find | | | | - Great design capabilities! Whether or not you are |
| whatever you are looking for, and it is easy to | | | | good at design, family tree maker software will |
| switch between tools. | | | | help you come up with a gorgeous family tree |
| - It lets you add supporting documents. The | | | | design. These features are great to have, if you |
| program makes it very easy to add photos and | | | | want to print out a display-worthy version of |
| media files to a chart. Using this feature, you can | | | | your family tree. |
| include all your memories of relatives as well as | | | | - It makes it easy to share your results with |
| memorabilia, letters, and photos. Other media files | | | | others. You'll be able to publish your family tree |
| like videos taken during family reunions or audio | | | | online, making it accessible to other family |
| files containing interview recordings can be easily | | | | members. |
| added as well. | | | | The one drawback many find is that there could |
| - You can choose between various designs of | | | | have been better online research tools. Data |
| family trees. The family tree maker software | | | | today is widely scattered, and the family tree |
| provides powerful outlines of family trees, but the | | | | maker software searches only its database in |
| best thing is, you can choose the design that best | | | | This limits the depth of research. |
| suits your needs. That way, you get access to a | | | | So there you have it: lots of powerful features |
| variety of ways or organizing the data: the type | | | | that make the task of building a family tree much |
| of chart and other supporting design and | | | | easier and much more fun. Is Family Tree Maker |
| documentation can be easily personalized to suit | | | | software worth the price? Only you can answer |
| your needs. | | | | that. There are certainly free online options that |
| - You get access to search tools. This helps you | | | | can take care of some of the more basic tasks. |
| find a lot of people online, which is a great aid in | | | | And don't forget, it can all be done manually as |
| your research. The amount of information on the | | | | well, if you arm yourself with the right knowledge, |
| internet cannot be underestimated and you can | | | | and stay focused and well organized. |