Author Topic: Genealogy on Android smartphone  (Read 16074 times)

Offline Vinwad

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Genealogy on Android smartphone
« on: Thursday 21 April 11 20:55 BST (UK) »
Has anyone used a mobile phone app (Android system) as a research tool? I've seen a couple of apps on the web which say they can read and update gedcom files but not sure if the write-ups they give themselves are just hype.

It sounds good in theory (update your tree when you visit libraries etc) so I'm tempted but just wanted to know if anyone has tried it already. Thanks
Waddams, McNamara, Collopy, Limerick, Bedworth, Warwickshire

Offline RJ_Paton

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Re: Genealogy on Android smartphone
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 21 April 11 22:35 BST (UK) »
There are two available from the Android Marketplace but

 Family Bee which can be the cheapest only reads the gedcom file and returns a reasonable display - there is a trial version available for free from the Marketplace - better to try before you buy.

Family Bee requires you to transfer a copy of your gedcom file to the sd card on the phone but the latest update added the facility to also access your gedcom file from Dropbox (an online storage and synchronising facility) which means that the file can be shared between your machines and that they are using the most up to date version of the file.

The other main one is Gedstar Pro   The android app is free but unless you are using the program The Master Genealogist (TMG) you have to purchase a converter program (Windows only) which converts your gedcom file to a database format. The display and search facilities from this are excellent although purchasing the converter makes it twice as expensive as Family Bee. There is also a time limited trial version available.
My only quibble with this app is that it does not use your gedcom file but its own database format which means that any changes to your gedcom file mean that the database has to be re constructed and transferred each time.

Family Bee  http://www.mobilegenealogy.com/family-bee/
Gedstar Pro  http://ghcssoftware.com/android/index.php
Dropbox        http://www.dropbox.com/

My own preference is for Family Bee and this is simply down to the convenience of using the linked Gedcom file although I do prefer the layout etc of Gedstar Pro.

Offline swebby

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Re: Genealogy on Android smartphone
« Reply #2 on: Friday 22 April 11 15:41 BST (UK) »
If you use Legacy Family Tree software then there is the following paid app:
Families
http://www.telgen.co.uk/families/index.html

I have no idea what it is like as my Android Version is too low.

Sean
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Offline Vinwad

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Re: Genealogy on Android smartphone
« Reply #3 on: Friday 22 April 11 17:34 BST (UK) »
Thanks Falkyrn & Sean (swebby).

The Legacy version sounds goods if it syncs with the free Legacy programme. I'll give both a try (Legacy & Family Bee) and see which one runs smoothest.
Waddams, McNamara, Collopy, Limerick, Bedworth, Warwickshire


Offline RJ_Paton

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Re: Genealogy on Android smartphone
« Reply #4 on: Friday 22 April 11 18:24 BST (UK) »
If you use Legacy Family Tree software then there is the following paid app:
Families
http://www.telgen.co.uk/families/index.html

I have no idea what it is like as my Android Version is too low.

Sean


Never noticed that one tucked away near the bottom of the search results.

It seems a strange operation in that it that it requires a "companion program" to transfer the files over from your PC.

Offline mrwilson

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Re: Genealogy on Android smartphone
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 01 June 11 13:48 BST (UK) »
If you use Legacy Family Tree software then there is the following paid app:
Families
http://www.telgen.co.uk/families/index.html

I have no idea what it is like as my Android Version is too low.

Sean


The updated version of GedStar Pro works with The Master Genealogist and Legacy Family Tree software now supports use of Dropbox* for wireless data file transfer.
http://ghcssoftware.com/android/index.php it's a paid app for android, iphone etc;.

*http://www.dropbox.com/
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Offline Vinwad

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Re: Genealogy on Android smartphone
« Reply #6 on: Friday 28 October 11 20:57 BST (UK) »
Thanks for all the advice. I checked out some user forums and in the end opted for "Families" which works well with Legacy (got the link from the Legacy site).

I've been using it for around a month. It's working quite well and at at only 10 quid was well worth it. It syncs fine both ways between my computer and HTC phone via a USB lead so I'm able to do work at the local history library and upload when back home.

It's also very good when talking to family and friends as I can always show them the family tree on my phone and don't have to be near a computer.

I haven't used any other phone software so can't say if one is better than another but I would recommend to anyone with a smart phone to start using it for research as it saves lugging a laptop around!
Waddams, McNamara, Collopy, Limerick, Bedworth, Warwickshire

Offline Alan b

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Re: Genealogy on Android smartphone
« Reply #7 on: Saturday 29 October 11 20:35 BST (UK) »
Ancestry are working on a Andriod app which should be in beta testing soon according to their last email they sent on it.
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Offline Redroger

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Re: Genealogy on Android smartphone
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 30 October 11 18:34 GMT (UK) »
Is the Legacy app a heavy battery user? Interested if not, but the downside with Android phones seems to be battery life.
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