How do you record your family history?

[Zman]

Hi everyone, thanks for helping...

I have a few questions as a newbie:
- How and where do you record your family history?
- What are the pros and cons?
- I see computer-based software is for sale but I'd prefer something online like ancestry.com without the massive cost but with MANY more storage/recording functions. Is there anything out there like that? (if not, I may have to build it myself..haha)

Hopefully others can benefit from this post too...thank you!!

[Mart 'n' Al]

There are plenty of free PC products, reviewed extensively on the net. You will of course be responsible for your own backups, but there are no privacy concerns.  Read the terms of online sites as you might not be happy with their conditions. And they do the backups. I use a pc product as I am concerned about my hard work being taken if I make it very public.  There are also in between options.

Martin

[Jebber]

Welcome to Rootschat, plenty of people to help you here.

By all means use an on line website, but I would advise using some software on your own computer as well, it is the only way you can retain complete control of your work. You should also back up your work to an external hard drive, memory stick or DVD regularly.


A google search will bring up a variety of software programs,  you can download and experiment to find one you like, some of them like Routs Magic have free to use versions, although the free version usually have some limitations.

Don't rely on information found in on line trees without backing up the information with your own research, particularly if the tree doesn't show the sources.

Good luck.

[oldohiohome]

I also recommend keeping your data first on your own computer and do your own backups. If you want, you can always upload what you have found. Mart 'n' Al's signature, or tagline, says he uses Gramps genealogy program. I do also, it is open source and free to use. There is a subreddit on Reddit and a mailing list to get help. It is a little clunky, but all databases are in my opinion.

If you want to work primarily online, take a look at The Next Generation software. I've never tried it, but have been tempted to. You will need to find somewhere to host it, but its website has an offer to do so. It is not free, about $33 US, last I looked.  There are similar .php based applications that are free, but I don't know how recently they have been maintained.

If you are half serious about 'building it yourself' you should do ok with either of the above. Or you can try what I do -- export my data as .html and upload it to my own site. That way it will be on line, if that is what you want to do. People still "steal" it, right and left, and put it elsewhere without credit, but I am trying to resign myself to that method of 'passing it on.'

[iluleah]

Hi and welcome to rootschat

Like many pre internet, in paper record folders, per line along with copies of record proof of events.

Transferred to FH software and backed up on 'floppy discs' and since the internet on FH software and backed up on an external hard drive and memory stick. Scan all copies of real records to save too. I still have all my paper files.

No way would I add my research to the many online trees, so for me I wouldn't use any commercial websites set private or not, there are many free and fee FH software that suit all and anyones needs.

I have just downloaded a free one for someone just starting off their research which was 'Brothers Keeper' which enables photo/document storage for each person researched.

[Mart 'n' Al]

Further to my earlier comments, I initially chose Gramps, as it was free and open source. Despite having worked in IT  all my life I found it initially overwhelming and switched to My Family Tree.


https://chronoplexsoftware.com/myfamilytree/


I found it an ideal start, but quickly found it limited and restricting and change back to Gramps. If you have a problem you will get a support response very quickly but it is very sophisticated and you will be climbing a steep learning curve.

Martin

[Zman]

Wow, thank you for those pointers to Gramps and The Next Generation.  I have searched for software and programs, read reviews on some products but these two eluded me. I've had a look at them and will review their features.  Thanks again!

[Mart 'n' Al]

While I love Gramps and I'm constantly awestruck by new features that I find, even after 2 years, it is not an easy product to begin with. Professionally I reviewed and tested software products and Gramps takes a while to get used to.  However comma I now find it difficult to recall what I found so difficult.

Martin

[StanleysChesterton]

For now I just use a free online website, familyecho.com - which produces instant/fast trees.

It's just straight forward... ultimately I'd like to buy second generation, but that involves hosting and then you have to maintain that hosting, so I'm waiting until my life's "more settled" before committing.