Recommendations for a paid for or free tree builder

[[Ray]]

Free     

Editable on-line     

( or just edit the gedcom file off line )     

Reloadable/refreshable from that amended gedcom.     

ZoomPast.com     


Ray

[Mart 'n' Al]

For much of my career I used to test and assess software. I am very impressed with ZoomPast. It is supposedly not yet ready for  mobile devices, but it still works very well on my Android tablet, as well as on PCs. It also works perfectly OK offline if you load it in your browser (no local software is needed) while you have Internet access. It has a unique but easy to learn Interface, much like using a map.  It's not my main software, but I think it will grow in popularity.  Totally free.

Martin

[Tickettyboo]

a lone voice in the wilderness here

I have a tree online. Its not custom generated, I tried a few of the available programs years ago and found that they didn't suit me.

So I set to and built my own tree.

I have a filing system on my computer, a folder for each generation, and a zillion subfolders for the people, children of the people, and grandchildren of the people in each generation. That is backed up about 5 different ways. Every snippet of info, every reference to those snippets is saved into the individual's folder.

Then I have a website, password protected and carefully monitored. Each person has a page and I record all the documents and their references, and tell their 'story' and show any pictures I have that relate to their lives. That too is backed up in various ways. Plus I have all the original files on my computer.

Oh and I also have the filing cabinet, stuffed with folders for each person with printed versions of all the info. No matter what changes there are in computer technology, they will still be readable in 100 years time :-)

I am sure that a custom built 'programme' would have been simpler/quicker for me to use, but it just didn't suit me.

I could have built a tree on one of the many commercial sites, but again that's not what I wanted.

Each to their own, but the bottom line is, think about it carefully and make your own decision about what suits 'you' and do bear in mind that though the programme is available now and works with a current operating system, it may not do in the future.
Whether that future is reached in the next week, month, year,  decade, or even century it 'may' not work at some stage.

I've put a LOT of time, effort and hard cash into my research, I want to make sure its still around in some format for future generations

Boo

[mike175]

My program of choice is Roots Magic which uses a SQLite database. If the main program lacks something you want (which seems unlikely) the database can be queried in any way you can think of using SQLite. The free RootsMagic Essentials does not limit the number of people or events you can enter.

No connection, just a satisfied user.

Mike.

[Jamjar]

I’m getting Family Historian.

I sent them an email asking if one licence allows use on computer and laptop. They answered very promptly with a “yes, it allows use on 2 computers”.

Jamjar

[Guy Etchells]

Free     

Editable on-line     

( or just edit the gedcom file off line )     

Reloadable/refreshable from that amended gedcom.     

ZoomPast.com     


Ray

Thanks Ray & Martin, I had a look at Zoompast and have added my extended tree to that site.
It seems to be well thought out and a useful way to share family tree information with either the public, limited groups of individuals or indeed kept private.

I look forward to playing about with it and seeing just how good it is.

Cheers
Guy

[Ruskie]

Zoompast sounds interesting, thanks Ray and Martin. I'm going to have a close look at it as well. 

[PaulThommo]

Thanks everyone for their thoughts, ideas and recommendations, like a few other people Zoompast looks good. cheers, Paul