Genealogy Chat

Can anyone give me some advice please?

I have just purchased a new computer with Windows 7 and now find that my ancient Broderbund Family Tree Maker (version 6) software does not run on my new computer. Although it said it ran on windows 95 and 98, I did have it running well on Windows XP. Is this software still in existance and if so would I be able to import my family tree easily. I have copied the file onto a memory stick.

Failing that what family tree maker software would anyone suggest. I do not want anything too complicated but do have a large tree with lots of information.

Any help would be very much appreciated

Sue

This software has long since been redundant and has been replaced by later versions of Family Tree Maker. The current version is FTM 2011 which can be had for < £20.

Your existing tree should import and convert without difficulty.

Have a look here for FTM and other Tree programs.

http://www.twrcomputing.co.uk/store/Family_Tree_Software.html

Thanks Inspector Green Pen.

I have looked on the site you suggested and they definitely have some of the better prices so will get on and order the software. At least I will not have to entger all the4 details again!!

Many thanks

I looked around for somewhere else to lodge my tree away from GR, and tried some free sites, one of which suited me very well, Family Tree Builder.

Going from ver6 to 2011 will be a huge learning curve Susan, I found that out when I went from 9 to 2010.

The tree did import fine though, but what I did was make a new fictious tree :-D [or you can copy your tree] so i could play with that and learn as I went without risking the main tree. Didn't take long to grasp the basics once I got used to the layout

Thanks Inspector Green Pen for suggesting the TWR Computing website. Have had a look and think it is very good.

At present I am using FTM 2005 which I find very easy to negotiate, However, I am thinking of updating to FTM 2010.

Using FTM 2005 I can print a 6 or 7 generation Descendant Chart showing names in 'boxes' which is easy to follow. If anyone uses FTM 2010 could they tell me if I would be able to do exactly the same way of printing the Ancestor or Descendant Chart?

Thanks for any information, particularly your views on TM 2010.

I have FTM 2010 and can get 7 generations on a Descendant Chart.

Thank you Pam and JiminyCricket for your information.

Another question. Is it easy to transfer the tree from, in my case, FTM 2005, to FTM 2010. I am always afraid of losing the relatives while making the transfer.

Grateful for your help once again.

FTM 2009 onwards is a completely new program, not an upgrade of the earlier version, so the reports and charts are not identical to earlier versions. However you will find that it is far more flexible and has many more features and customisable options once you get your head around them. It is also more mouse and click oriented too and has a more 'windows' look and feel.

FTM 2006 final version of the 'old' program.

2009 was the initial release of the new version but was full of bugs and missing functionality which was corrected in 2010. Do not buy 2009 even if it is offered at a cut price. More features and extra reports were added in FTM 2011.

I see no reason why 2005 should not convert automatically to 2009 and above. I have converted several trees to both 2010 and 2011 and have not come across any problems.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone, been one of those days.

I am really grateful for all the help and advice you all have given me and will now proceed with confidence.

Thanks again.

Jean


:-)

If you get any problems, just shout out. There is usually someone around who can help.

Good luck.....!