A Word about Genealogy Software

When I first thought of doing this, I simply went to Ancestry.com and started with myself, entered my info and started building the first tree from there. The web interface was easy to use and we could use it for free as long as we didn’t have to lookup any info, search records, etc. However, I soon realized that their web interface didn’t allow me to quickly move around from person to person to enter information as I was getting from various phone interviews. So I decided the smart thing to do was to use desktop software and then re-upload the data back to the web. Since I’m a Mac, and not a PC, I had to find family tree software made for Mac. Surprisingly there were indeed a lot of good options although I forgot I had purchased MacFamilyTree a lot earlier and just had never used it.

So instead of starting over from what I had already entered into the website Ancestry.com, I decided to export something called a GEDCOM file. A GEDCOM file is just a text file formatted into a common “language” that most genealogical software packages can read and understand. Great right? I thought that I’d simply be able to export a GEDCOM file to go back and forth between the software I was using and the website, but I was sadly mistaken. The first problem I noticed when I imported and opened this GEDCOM file with MacFamilyTree, was that it showed my mother Mary Ann Palmer as having two mothers in two fathers when I distinctly told Ancestry.com that my mom was adopted. So that was strike one that let me know that this wasn’t going to be as cut and dry as it seemed. Strike 2 came when I realized that the pictures I uploaded to Ancestry.com didn’t get exported with the GEDCOM file. I didn’t worry about it too much because I saw that MacFamilyTree and other software packages like it gave me some really cool looking charts and reports. That let me know that I was on the right track by staying with a desktop program. I was able to easily add pictures, drag and drop information, make notes, make a todo list (to remind me to ask who was so-and-so’s father).

However, as I continued to use MacFamilyTree I noticed very quickly that it didn’t seem to allow us to tell the difference between a natural father, step father, and baby daddy! So that was out, because in our world we got to know who the baby daddy is! So for now MacFamilyTree is back on the shelf until the put out another update.

So my search was back on for a better software solution. I think I found it with a program called iFamilyTree simply because it allows me to easily enter lots of information and pictures in one sitting. It’s not as pretty as MacFamilyTree, but its definitely more functional and seems to be a lot more flexible. However, we’re now getting to the phase of the family tree where we have to get other family member involved in entering their own information to help build and continue the project. So that leads me back to a web-based solution where I can invite family members via email to add information or read over things that’s already in the tree to confirm or deny any information contained therein.

Additionally, in our immediate family at least, there is always a need for privacy for the living members of the family so that is a big concern of mine as well. So I personally wrote the designer of iFamilyforLeopard and told him about some changes I’d like for him to make to allow us to get the information that we desire without putting all of our business in the street. Thus, the design of this particular website. So for now I think I’ll just keep updating it as you guys send me more info and uploading a new tree as I make changes.

A good mix of security and ease of use seems to be geni.com, but it wants to limit the amount of pictures we upload so while you can see a tree I uploaded there, I don’t think I’m going to take the time to use that as our “master” web solution, so it looks like I’ll be purchasing that subscription to Ancestry.com pretty soon.