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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Yonnie3 on Thursday 06 December 18 08:51 GMT (UK)

Title: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Yonnie3 on Thursday 06 December 18 08:51 GMT (UK)
I like the ancestry.com tree builder, is easy and seems to display well and i like the gallery feature and facts.  Problem is you can't take it with you.  MyHeritage tree is impossible to use by comparison to Ancestry.com, really, no comparison and quite broken.  FTDNA is better than MyHeritage but still not as easy to use as Ancestry.

Does anyone have a suggestion on what can be used instead of a paid-subscription to somewhere?  Easy to use, store photos and docs, tell stories.  Put onto a usb stick and sent out for xmas?
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Jebber on Thursday 06 December 18 10:16 GMT (UK)
It s unwise to rely on a website to hold your tree, much better to keep it on Family History programme on your computer. There are plenty of programmes to choose from, you can download trial versions for free and  decide which one suits you best. You then have full control over your tree, choose what you want to send to other people, you should also keep regular  backups on a flash drive of external drive.
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Yonnie3 on Thursday 06 December 18 10:22 GMT (UK)
gramps has a steep learning curve and seems to error a lot on gedcom import.  Can you list some others?
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 06 December 18 10:52 GMT (UK)
RootsMagic has a RootsMagic-To-Go feature that lets you put your tree on a CD-Rom or USB stick.

I find RootsMagic easy to use, and have been using it for years.
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Yonnie3 on Thursday 06 December 18 11:57 GMT (UK)
any suggestions for Linux?
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Mart 'n' Al on Thursday 06 December 18 11:59 GMT (UK)
I started with Gramps nearly 3 years ago and despite being highly experienced with computers I gave it up as too complex. I then used another one for 3 or 4 months before finding it too basic and then returned to Gramps and now fully realise how wonderful it is. I've never had any problem importing GEDCOM files, and because of the open source nature of the product if anybody reported it to have a problem it would be fixed very much quicker than any commercial product.

Although it was written as a Linux product, I use it on Windows 10.

Martin
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Yonnie3 on Thursday 06 December 18 12:07 GMT (UK)
guess I should give another spin, thanks
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Mart 'n' Al on Thursday 06 December 18 12:13 GMT (UK)
I can't say too strongly that it is very sophisticated, and even after nearly three years I am still finding new features.  Until I retired, a large part of my work was testing, using and assessing software, and unless you are very comfortable with complexities (not complications) there might be more suitable options.  The support forum is friendly, and prompt.  The reports, filters and output options are stunning.  And it is free.

Martin
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: jc26red on Thursday 06 December 18 12:56 GMT (UK)
RootsMagic has a RootsMagic-To-Go feature that lets you put your tree on a CD-Rom or USB stick.

I find RootsMagic easy to use, and have been using it for years.

I second that, RM also syncs  with Ancestry trees so you can update from RM, you should be able to link and down load your ‘already’ built tree, you won’t have to start again.  I don’t do online trees so haven’t tested it out myself.  I have been  using RM since 2003.

It is not an expensive option, you can also download an app on an iPad and upload your latest tree so you can take it with you when visiting elderly relatives
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Amberella on Wednesday 09 January 19 19:03 GMT (UK)
I like the ancestry.com tree builder, is easy and seems to display well and i like the gallery feature and facts.  Problem is you can't take it with you.  MyHeritage tree is impossible to use by comparison to Ancestry.com, really, no comparison and quite broken.  FTDNA is better than MyHeritage but still not as easy to use as Ancestry.

Does anyone have a suggestion on what can be used instead of a paid-subscription to somewhere?  Easy to use, store photos and docs, tell stories.  Put onto a usb stick and sent out for xmas?

I use Family Echo myself.  I just find it is easy to use and you can plug in all your information including little notes. I also like that you can download your family tree in different formats.
Title: Re: need a tree-builder that works
Post by: Yonnie3 on Wednesday 09 January 19 20:21 GMT (UK)
There's a limit implied concerning number of people in the FAQ in the Family Echo.  Are they meaning generations?  How many generations?  They don't have adoption covered in the tree.  And the company is located in Israel.  What kind of privacy laws protect US citizens in Israel?  Last time I dealt with an Israeli company, I started getting hit with DOS attacks, threats and spam.  This was a decade ago and a not so good memory, especially the threats.