Creating a Family Tree Book

[clancam37]

Are there any free and easy to use programs for creating a family history book/booklet.
I need to put together information/details/photos/sketches for my first granddaughter whose
father died early.
Would be very pleased to receive any downloads which may help me complete this task before my
granddaughters forthcoming major birthday.
Kind regards
clancam

[pinefamily]

Depending on what you mean by book or booklet, most FH programs will print out some form of simple narrative derived from the data inputted.
Otherwise, you might be better off using Word or similar, and adding photos etc yourself. That way you can print off a tree separately to accompany it, if you so wish.

[clancam37]

Since posting my first message I have completed a family history book for my Grand-daughter in time for her special birthday.  She was delighted.  I was rather pleased with the finished product
myself.  Thank you to all who replied with helpful hints.
Now preparing both one on my Wife's history as well as my own.
Before completion I do hope to be able to include my Great-grandfather's death date/place in the narrative.  Although I am yet to learn the details many people on this site  have been helpful with my search.
My Great-grandfather, John Campbell, a Master Mariner was born 1826 in Perthshire Scotland,
lived in Liverpool UK with his Wife, Mary Ann Louisa nee Usher and children.
Kind regards
clancam37

[Andrew C.]

Can I ask what software did you eventually use for this. I am writing my family history as a narrative form and was hoping to jazz it up a bit with loads of pictures and backgrounds. I was looking a Serif Page plus desk top publishing is this the kind of thing people would use?

[GrahamSimons]

I printed a few copies of mine a while ago, andof course instantly found more information so I currently have an electronic copy, plus another file with a list of other things to add.

I used Word - it can sort out headings, contents pages, cross-references, and an index automatically. Although there are lots of illustrations, I haven't used Word's tricks to produce a list of illustrations. I use Family Historian as my main family tree program, and it can generate narrative reports which form the skeleton on which I've been able to add more detail and images. FH also generates a variety of family tree diagrams which can be pasted in to the Word document - I just need to remember to get FH to produce an updated version whenever I find more data.

I guess that I'd have more formatting power if I had chosen a desktop publishing program, but I'm quite happy with the product - statistics 620+pages, nearly 250,000 words.

[clancam37]

Can I ask what software did you eventually use for this. I am writing my family history as a narrative form and was hoping to jazz it up a bit with loads of pictures and backgrounds. I was looking a Serif Page plus desk top publishing is this the kind of thing people would use?

Hi Andrew,
I have "openoffice" on my PC, and when necessary convert the file to "Word", easy process.
Prepared my book with this openoffice format including pictures/photos/drawings and Contents page. Provided a paper copy of my finished product (also an electronic copy on a USB) to the printer who assembled and printed 3 copies for me. Thicker cover paper, paper clipped and page numbered it came up rather well.
Have just read Graham C's reply and may incorporate his suggestions in my next productions.
KInd regards
Barry
clancam

[clancam37]

I printed a few copies of mine a while ago, andof course instantly found more information so I currently have an electronic copy, plus another file with a list of other things to add.

I used Word - it can sort out headings, contents pages, cross-references, and an index automatically. Although there are lots of illustrations, I haven't used Word's tricks to produce a list of illustrations. I use Family Historian as my main family tree program, and it can generate narrative reports which form the skeleton on which I've been able to add more detail and images. FH also generates a variety of family tree diagrams which can be pasted in to the Word document - I just need to remember to get FH to produce an updated version whenever I find more data.

I guess that I'd have more formatting power if I had chosen a desktop publishing program, but I'm quite happy with the product - statistics 620+pages, nearly 250,000 words.

Hi Graham,
Thanks for your helpful reply.  My book was not as large as yours, however was very pleased with my first attempt.
As mentioned to Andrew, I use "openoffice".  A very useful, user-friendly method and easily converted to "Word" when necessary.  My files are kept on FTM, have 2006, 2008 and 2010 versions and still implement all three.
The 'openoffice" system has all that "Word" offers -- I've been a guest speaker at Probus and Rotary Clubs using  their(openoffice) slide presentation format.  Google is excellent for all sorts of subjects and when starting a project often trawl google using basic questions.  Bookbinding technique was very informative.
Rootschat is an excellent site, many eager and caring people on this site.
Thanks again for your reply,
Regards
Barry
clancam

[Andrew C.]

Thanks for the replies I am not as advanced as you guys so it wasn't actually a book I was looking at merely a good programme to present what I have written in a better manner. I use Word 2010 at work and I have done a lot on that which I like. The problem is when I send it home it is an older version of word which is rubbish in comparison. I have photographs on my pc at home which I don't like sending in to work as IT would frown on it. So I was trying to improve my home software without spending a fortune. I notice Apache Openoffice is a free download is this what you used Clancam? 

[alanmack]

Andrew,

           The answer here is to create a PDF (Portable Document Format) file from your word processor document. Recent versions of Word  or Open Office can do this unaided. The alternative is to install a PDF Printer (usually free for personal use) such as Cute PDF or my favourite PDF Creator. This lives on your computer as a virtual printer alongside your regular one and can be chosen from the list when you want a PDF to send to others. Various free PDF readers are available and most people have one installed even if they don't realise it.

Alan