Family Tree Maker 2010 Essentials Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been conducting family research for some eight years, with the help of the Family Tree Maker program (and subscription [...].) I have purchased each new version at its release, always curious to see what had been added. While I have usually been pleased with the program features, I must admit that the last couple of versions have been disappointing to me. The interface had become more complicated and I missed being able to see a more complete screen of family detail.
The Family Tree Maker 2010 is, (IMHO) the finest version of the Family Tree Maker program to date. [...]
The installation is smooth and easy. No obstacles. I had the program up and running within minutes after receiving it.
The interface is the friendliest yet, and has even incorporated a special personal touch ... enhancing the individual name labels in family view with photos of the individuals. (I had not known that this was a new feature, so when I first opened my primary tree file, I was suddenly staring at familiar family faces instead of simply text ... What a warm feeling!) Of course, the photos must be available on your hard drive and associated to those files. Or, you can uncheck the "enhanced" feature if you wish (perhaps there are relatives you would rather not see).
The new interface is reminiscent of the more friendly versions of the past (somewhat like Version 16, I think) that we have missed (they listened to us!) and adds some amazing new features. The navigation is much simpler, more intuitive than recent versions. The program now denotes one's direct line of ascent/descent by a highlighted arrow designation that is most helpful when navigating through pages of generations. The toolbars are simple and clear with an emphasis on quick navigation to help in your workflow. Of course, the little green leaves are there again to prompt the user to check out the relevant information that is available at a mere click.
No more need to take notes or to check back and forth to look up a forgotten detail about an individual while searching for more information: There is now a layered box that contains all of the subject's entered data right there in view while you are engaged at the research/merge site.
Merging is a breeze! Recording sources is refreshingly simple. Click on "Places" on the toolbar, and you'll find all the lands and seas of the globe to help you in your research, interactive, (Bing Maps), and accompanied by user-friendly lists of your ancestry-related locations. (I, being geography-challenged, have especially enjoyed this feature.) No more Googling and printing of maps in the middle of researching. Love it!
I think that the best thing about the 2010 version of FTM is that it truly is a warm and friendly program ... making it a real pleasure to discover and record your family's history. The program is packed full of wonderful features. I believe that most genealogy enthusiasts will find that this is the best version ever of a tremendous program. With this program, they've put the fun back into family history research! Enjoy!
(BTW: This is the first review I've ever submitted - Because I really am genuinely impressed with this product ... enough to take the time to review it for other consumers. Furthermore, I am in no way affiliated with FTM or Ancestry.com or any of their employees.)


Click Here to see more reviews about: Family Tree Maker 2010 Essentials

Family Tree Maker makes it easy to discover your story, preserve your legacy and share your unique heritage as you explore your family tree on your personal computer. Family Tree Maker 2010 introduces even more rich storytelling and organization tools that can add new life to your family history.

Once you've started your tree, you can add photos, video, audio and more. You can also create and print a variety of interactive maps, timelines, charts and reports.Family Tree Maker 2010 also includes a subscription to Ancestry.com--the world's largest online collection of family history resources, featuring more than 4 billion historical records. Search for your ancestors and use what you discover on Ancestry.com in your tree.
Family Tree Maker 2010 lets you easily:
Organize your family story privately and conveniently on your personal computer.
Create charts and reports in a variety of formats to share with friends and family.
Discover new information anywhere on the web and add it to your tree instantly.
Integrate with the 4 billion names in historical records on Ancestry.com. Even receive hints linking you to matching records.
Incorporate photos, documents and audio, video and other files into your tree.
View timelines and interactive maps.

What's new in Family Tree maker 2010?
New tools and charts that help you tell a richer story
Better ways to organize photos and other media
Create slideshows from the images in your tree
Family books made from your tree
Standard source templates that help you reference the right information
A view of your relation to everyone in your tree
Extended family birthday calendars
Images scanned directly into your tree
Family migration paths over time
Easy family tree download from Ancestry.com

And don't forget the features you've come to rely on:
Dynamic user interface that lets you quickly switch between important features
The ability to import data from other genealogy programs, including Personal Ancestral File
Powerful sourcing tools that let you document AND rate each of your citations
Interactive maps and lists that give you a bird's-eye view of where members of your family come from
Place authority database of more than 3 million names that helps you standardize your place entries
Photo AND file management features so you can easily incorporate all types of media files into your charts and reports
Timelines that highlight personal, family and world events
Easy-to-use tools for merging duplicate individuals, calculating dates, creating to-do lists and more

How can you make the most of Ancestry.com?
Family Tree Maker 2010 comes with a subscription to Ancestry.com, the world's largest online collection of family history resources.
Your software works seamlessly with Ancestry.com so you can easily search for your ancestors and add the information you discover to your tree.
You could find missing facts about your family in census records, draft cards, passenger lists, image collections and other historical resources.

Use Ancestry.com and Family Tree Maker together. Get the most from both.
Search the extensive record collections at Ancestry.com without ever leaving your family tree. Quickly merge new records you find into your tree.
Take advantage of Ancestry Hints. Family Tree Maker automatically suggests records that may match people in your tree.
Share heirloom-quality books and attractive posters that you create with the self-publishing tool at Ancestry.com.

Your Family Tree Maker 2010 Essentials software includes: Interactive Training Tutorial for Family Tree Maker 2010 (included on Family Tree Maker disk)
Get step-by-step instructions and tips that will help you easily build and grow your family tree.

The Getting Started Guide to Family Tree Maker
Follow simple directions to begin a project and master the program's basic features

The Family Tree Maker Little Book of Answers
Read short sections that will tell you how Family Tree Maker can work best for you.

Click here for more information about Family Tree Maker 2010 Essentials

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Family Tree Maker 2010 Deluxe Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Have been using FTM for 15 years and the last 2 years have been very disappointing. I have issues with the Calendar.
Some of these issues are:

Can't change fonts.
Does not print all names even though they are entered correctly. (Previous versions printed 2 pages of the same month when names or anniversaries overflowed the date.) 2009 and 2010 versions print one page only and drops any names and anniversaries that don't fit. Try and figure that out when you have over 3000 names.
When you go to save the calendar it won't save it properly. I only wanted to have certain names and anniversaries on my calendar and I saved each month separately. When I went back into the calendar it reverted to the default which is to include every name and anniversary (living people only). I have had to go to "legal" size paper to make the names fit and I am not sure they all are there even doing that.
When you try and exclude someone from the calendar it is very time consuming and some of the functions do not work at all.
Some anniversaries show up even though one spouse is deceased and the proper box is checked on the options.
Occasionally a maiden name will print rather than a married name even though the proper box is checked on the options.
I had most of these issue with the 2009 version and I was unable to get them resolved through emails with customer service. I wrongly assumed that the 2010 version would correct at least some of these flaws.
I told the customer service person that I though they had a disgruntled programmer.
I am now looking for any other software that will let me download my information without having to re-enter the over 3000 names and other information I have.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Family Tree Maker 2010 Deluxe

Family Tree Maker makes it easy to discover your story, preserve your legacy and share your unique heritage as you explore your family tree on your personal computer. Family Tree Maker 2010 introduces even more rich storytelling and organization tools that can add new life to your family history.

Once you've started your tree, you can add photos, video, audio and more. You can also create and print a variety of interactive maps, timelines, charts and reports.
Family Tree Maker 2010 also includes a subscription to Ancestry.com--the world's largest online collection of family history resources, featuring more than 7 billion historical records. Search for your ancestors and use what you discover on Ancestry.com in your tree.
Family Tree Maker 2010 lets you easily:
Organize your family story privately and conveniently on your personal computer.
Create charts and reports in a variety of formats to share with friends and family.
Discover new information anywhere on the web and add it to your tree instantly.
Integrate with the 7 billion names in historical records on Ancestry.com. Even receive hints linking you to matching records.
Incorporate photos, documents and audio, video and other files into your tree.
View timelines and interactive maps.

What's new in Family Tree maker 2010?
New tools and charts that help you tell a richer story
Better ways to organize photos and other media
Create slideshows from the images in your tree
Family books made from your tree
Standard source templates that help you reference the right information
A view of your relation to everyone in your tree
Extended family birthday calendars
Images scanned directly into your tree
Family migration paths over time
Easy family tree download from Ancestry.com

And don't forget the features you've come to rely on:
Dynamic user interface that lets you quickly switch between important features
The ability to import data from other genealogy programs, including Personal Ancestral File
Powerful sourcing tools that let you document AND rate each of your citations
Interactive maps and lists that give you a bird's-eye view of where members of your family come from
Place authority database of more than 3 million names that helps you standardize your place entries
Photo AND file management features so you can easily incorporate all types of media files into your charts and reports
Timelines that highlight personal, family and world events
Easy-to-use tools for merging duplicate individuals, calculating dates, creating to-do lists and more

How can you make the most of Ancestry.com?
Family Tree Maker 2010 comes with a subscription to Ancestry.com, the world's largest online collection of family history resources.
Your software works seamlessly with Ancestry.com so you can easily search for your ancestors and add the information you discover to your tree.
You could find missing facts about your family in census records, draft cards, passenger lists, image collections and other historical resources.

Use Ancestry.com and Family Tree Maker together. Get the most from both.
Search the extensive record collections at Ancestry.com without ever leaving your family tree. Quickly merge new records you find into your tree.
Take advantage of Ancestry Hints. Family Tree Maker automatically suggests records that may match people in your tree.
Share heirloom-quality books and attractive posters that you create with the self-publishing tool at Ancestry.com.

Your Family Tree Maker 2010 Deluxe software includes: Interactive Training Tutorial for Family Tree Maker 2010 (included on Family Tree Maker disk)
Get step-by-step instructions and tips that will help you easily build and grow your family tree.

The Getting Started Guide to Family Tree Maker
Follow simple directions to begin a project and master the program's basic features

The Family Tree Maker Little Book of Answers
Read short sections that will tell you how Family Tree Maker can work best for you.

Discounts on Ancestry.com Products
Save 20% on a subscription to Ancestry Magazine and 20% on DNA testing.

The Standard Ancestry.com Reference Library--Access to 10 invaluable family history reference books, compiled and indexed on one DVD.
The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy
The Red Book: American State, Country, and Town Sources
The Ancestry Family Historian's Address Book
Ancestry's Concise Genealogy Dictionary
They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic Origins
Finding Answers in the U.S. Census
U.S. Military Records
Military Records at Ancestry.com
Library of Congress: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research
The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches (Out of Print)

Click here for more information about Family Tree Maker 2010 Deluxe

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Family Tree Maker 2009 Essentials Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The faithful legions of Family Tree Maker users will find FTM 2009 to be a major improvement over their previous 2008 release and will welcome the improved operating performance and a number of the new search and sourcing features. Experienced users will still miss a number of the FTM v16 features, but we have been assured that continued improvements are on the way.
Before I go on, I am an experienced family researcher, have used every version of Family Tree Maker since 1998, routinely help others with their research, and I have about 25,300 names in my database. I also administer two DNA projects. I have a very clear idea of what I need, what I am used to getting, and exactly what people are expecting when they request my assistance.
Among the challenges for experienced users will be making a successful transition from earlier versions to FTM 2009. When I first tested this product for my own use and then attempted a review, I missed several key features regarding user controls specifying desired data elements for certain reports and charts...I simply could not find them. Another user reading my initial review verified that he could not find the user controls either. Helpful comments by an FTM product manager helped resolve the problem and a number of apparently missing features are actually there. The lesson learned is that this new interface will take some patience to find your way through. In many cases, this patience will be rewarded with a very robust and versatile software with many new capabilities.
However, for those of us who are most focused on final output, such as the ability to design and produce fully indexed Family Books on your own desktop without having to go online, this product has not yet realized it's full potential. This feature was offered in FTM v16 and previous versions, but was discontinued in FTM 2008 in favor of directing users to go on line (Ancestry press) instead of allowing full desktop-based user control.
*As Family Tree Maker continues to tweak this release, efforts need to continue in the area of fully restoring features and user controls from FTM v16, and just as importantly, educating experienced users on how to find and use the features they had enjoyed for so many years.
*A side by side explanation of features for FTM v16 and FTM 2009 would be very useful in the transition process, particularly in the area of output (reports, charts, etc.)
At this time, without the previously offered Family Book features being fully restored, FTM 2009 simply does not yet meet my personal needs, and I have returned to FTM v16. I need to continue to update the many previous Family Books (about 18) that I have produced for individuals and organizations, and I also need to continue to produce new fully indexed Family Books for pending projects I have committed to. I also have an ongoing need to have FTM read various CDs in my large collection, and unless I have missed it, FTM 2009 simply won't do this.

*3-Star Rating - I am very bottom line oriented - if I do not have in my hand exactly what I need when I am done working, and I -still- have to go back to previous software (FTM v16) to get it - then the "new" software fails my test and, for the time being, is not up to my own personal requirements. All the improved performance and various new features just do not yet matter if it cannot deliver in my hand what I expect and need when I am done.
I would encourage the FTM product design team to continue to restore features from FTM v16 and previous versions, and only then will FTM 2009 realize it's full potential.
CHT in Virginia

Click Here to see more reviews about: Family Tree Maker 2009 Essentials

Family Tree Maker 2009 by Ancestry.com, the #1 selling family history software, can help you easily discover, preserve and share your family history. It can help you build your family tree, gather stories and photos and create charts and books to share with your family. The Essentials Edition includes a one-month subscription to Ancestry.com the worlds largest online collection of family history records with more than 7 billion ancestors names. Youll also receive an interactive training tutorial and The Family Tree Maker Little Book of Answers.

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Family Tree Maker 2010 Platinum Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This product is wonderful! I have been struggling to build my tree in [...], and have so many duplicates, much less difficulties navigating (I have over 4000 names in my tree), and this is the first version of Family Tree Maker that I have used that actually INTERFACES with Ancestry, and allows me to clean up duplicates, and update my tree in virtual time! I no longer have to build my tree, then upload it, because it is working on my actual tree at the same time I am...can't say enough about this product!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Family Tree Maker 2010 Platinum

Family Tree Maker makes it easy to discover your story, preserve your legacy and share your unique heritage as you explore your family tree on your personal computer. Family Tree Maker 2010 introduces even more rich storytelling and organization tools that can add new life to your family history.

Once you've started your tree, you can add photos, video, audio and more. You can also create and print a variety of interactive maps, timelines, charts and reports.
Family Tree Maker 2010 also includes a subscription to Ancestry.com--the world's largest online collection of family history resources, featuring more than 7 billion historical records. Search for your ancestors and use what you discover on Ancestry.com in your tree.
Family Tree Maker 2010 lets you easily:
Organize your family story privately and conveniently on your personal computer.
Create charts and reports in a variety of formats to share with friends and family.
Discover new information anywhere on the web and add it to your tree instantly.
Integrate with the 7 billion names in historical records on Ancestry.com. Even receive hints linking you to matching records.
Incorporate photos, documents and audio, video and other files into your tree.
View timelines and interactive maps.

What's new in Family Tree maker 2010?
New tools and charts that help you tell a richer story
Better ways to organize photos and other media
Create slideshows from the images in your tree
Family books made from your tree
Standard source templates that help you reference the right information
A view of your relation to everyone in your tree
Extended family birthday calendars
Images scanned directly into your tree
Family migration paths over time
Easy family tree download from Ancestry.com

And don't forget the features you've come to rely on:
Dynamic user interface that lets you quickly switch between important features
The ability to import data from other genealogy programs, including Personal Ancestral File
Powerful sourcing tools that let you document AND rate each of your citations
Interactive maps and lists that give you a bird's-eye view of where members of your family come from
Place authority database of more than 3 million names that helps you standardize your place entries
Photo AND file management features so you can easily incorporate all types of media files into your charts and reports
Timelines that highlight personal, family and world events
Easy-to-use tools for merging duplicate individuals, calculating dates, creating to-do lists and more

How can you make the most of Ancestry.com?
Family Tree Maker 2010 comes with a subscription to Ancestry.com, the world's largest online collection of family history resources.
Your software works seamlessly with Ancestry.com so you can easily search for your ancestors and add the information you discover to your tree.
You could find missing facts about your family in census records, draft cards, passenger lists, image collections and other historical resources.

Use Ancestry.com and Family Tree Maker together. Get the most from both.
Search the extensive record collections at Ancestry.com without ever leaving your family tree. Quickly merge new records you find into your tree.
Take advantage of Ancestry Hints. Family Tree Maker automatically suggests records that may match people in your tree.
Share heirloom-quality books and attractive posters that you create with the self-publishing tool at Ancestry.com.

Your Family Tree Maker 2010 Platinum software includes: Interactive Training Tutorial for Family Tree Maker 2010 (included on Family Tree Maker disk)
Get step-by-step instructions and tips that will help you easily build and grow your family tree.

The Getting Started Guide to Family Tree Maker
Follow simple directions to begin a project and master the program's basic features

The Family Tree Maker Little Book of Answers
Read short sections that will tell you how Family Tree Maker can work best for you.

Discounts on Ancestry.com Products
Save 20% on a subscription to Ancestry Magazine and 20% on DNA testing.

The Deluxe Ancestry.com Reference Library--Access to 15 invaluable family history reference books, compiled and indexed on one DVD.
The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy
The Red Book: American State, Country, and Town Sources
The Ancestry Family Historian's Address Book
Ancestry's Concise Genealogy Dictionary
They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic Origins
Finding Answers in the U.S. Census
U.S. Military Records
Military Records at Ancestry.com
The Official Guide to Ancestry.com
The Official Guide to RootsWeb.com
Abbreviations and Acronyms: A Guide for Family Historians
Hidden Sources: Family History in Unlikely Places
Printed Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records
Library of Congress: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research
The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches (Out of Print)

Get 9% OFF

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Family Tree Maker 2009 Deluxe Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Family Tree Maker 2009 EssentialsFamily Tree Maker 2009 PlatinumFamily Tree Maker 2009 DeluxeI was surprised that I don't hate it. From the reviews, I thought I would. I have been using this program since the DOS days, because I am averse to change. When the new one came out, it lost most of what I used it for, so I stayed with the old one. This is my first try at the new one.
I was very pleased that it didn't try to overwrite the old one, or store files in the same place. It meant I could try it without worrying about losing my data,
It is not user-friendly. That is the first thing I noticed. I realized that because it is a new program, it doesn't have sixteen ways to do something, the way older programs do. It only has one, and you have to learn what that one way is. Just like the DOS version I started with. The print is vey small and hard to read, and I just today found out how to change it.
It is a good data-base. It has helped me find a number of errors I never knew I had, and to regularize entries, so the same thing is always written the same way. It has helped a lot with place names, for instance. That said, there are problems with default place names. They are alphabetical. For instance, Portland is in Multnomah County. The default is Clackamas County, because it is first in the alphabet. I looked for Iowa City, and found one in every county in Iowa, with no way to tell which was right. I can look straight at a town on the map, and find the program doesn't recognize it.
The program has gone into a partnership with Microsoft on some of it's features. With all the new software out there, much of it better, that might be a bad choice. There is a note that those features may drop without notice.
It is a space hog, and does crash. I could probably solve that with a new computer, but then my old program wouldn't be available to me, and the new one just isn't up to snuff yet. The thing I really use, regularly, is the book function. I print books almost yearly for family. This one says I can build the book on line, and still print it myself, so it is not as useless as I thought when I read that it had to be done on line, but I dno't know how they are going to get the program on line to print the accurate index, which is essential in a family book. And, because it is only a data base, there is no place in the new program for the essays on family history, family homeland, stories, recipes, and so forth that make such books more than a list of names. The old program could keep everything together, which was nice.
I am a suspicious sort. When I saw that it would no longer work with the disks we own, but is made to work with data that they expect you to pay monthly or yearly fees for, and that they want you to pay them large amounts to publish a book, I think "greed". After seeing the program, it is possible that it just doesn't have space for those features. I want to be able to print a descendant chart, with a photograph of each person, the information, and then the next person. I have not yet been able to find a way to do that. It should be an obvious option.
This is not a bad program, but I think it is finally time for me to seriously investigate all the other ones out there.
I can't run the new program satisfactorally on my current machine, and I can't run version 16 on a new machine, so if I atick with this program, I am stuck.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Family Tree Maker 2009 Deluxe

Family Tree Maker 2009 by Ancestry.com, the #1 selling family history software, can help you easily discover, preserve and share your family history. It can help you build your family tree, gather stories and photos and create charts and books to share with your family. The Deluxe Edition includes a three-month subscription to Ancestry.com — the world's largest online collection of family history records with more than 7 billion ancestors' names. You'll also receive an interactive training tutorial, The Family Tree Maker Little Book of Answers, a 25% off coupon for Ancestry DNA and a 10% discount on a professionally printed family history book or poster.

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