Family History Record Management Programs

Record Management Programs

There are many record management programs available to use to keep an organized record of your family history research.  Some programs are free or have free versions, and others you will need to buy. The free versions are good to try, and then if you decide you want to use one, you pay and they give you a key code to unlock the full version.   Here are some that are available:

Roots Magic
Legacy Family Tree
Ancestral Quest
Family Tree Maker
Reunion for MAC
Heredis
Family Historian
Family Tree Builder

Google "Genealogy Programs" to see more.

Ancestry.com allows you to keep trees online that you can make private or public.  I put trees on Ancestry so that I will get their hints and so that I can save documents to that tree before I archive them with a computer program.

FamilySearch.org has a community tree. Anyone can add to the tree.  It's important to have your source-proven research in a place where it will be controlled by you so that you can compare your research when changes are made in FamilyTree on FamilySearch.org.

Online trees are great, but it is wise to have a backup.  It is wise to have several backups in different forms.

Compare features.  If you want your program to synchronize with the community tree on FamilySearch.org, be sure to look for that compatability here:
 https://familysearch.org/products/ under "Family Tree Management.

Try entering a person's information to see which program feels natural and smooth.  How easily can you jump from one person to the next?  How do you navigate between generations?  How do you make a report with the product?  Try a simple family group record or pedigree chart to see.  How are sources entered?  What special features are there in the program to help you track research, take notes, get hints, synchronize with Ancestry or FamilySearch or MyHeritage or another favorite website? Also, check to see what tutorials are available to help you learn to use the program. Make a list of what is important to you and test out the free versions of the programs you are interested in.  They all have great features. 

Letters

Letters are an interesting source of family history information.  You can learn about people, about their stories, where they live, what life is like, what their education is like. The following is a letter from one of my husband's ancestors.  It lacks in punctuation, but the spelling and grammar are generally great.  We think it's talking about dividing up property.  Several family names are mentioned.  The language she uses helps us see that she's generally a positive person, likes to get along with the family, and is a helpful, encouraging person.

Letter of Lois Smith Shute to Augusta Shute:

Lois Augusta Shute, later in life

Copied from letter in possession of my sister, Mrs. Wm. J. Marlowe , by MLH

Lynnfield Dec 6, 1856
Dear Augusta: (Shute)
I received your letter this afternoon and was glad to hear that you were better. I hope you will prosper in your school. I am sorry to hear that you have had any trouble. try and do what is right. I hope you will continue to like your boarding place. We have had quite an exciting week monday afternoon Aaron came down to engage board for himself and two or three other men the next day, and Tuesday he came with Deacon Addison Flint and Charles Flint and took dinner. they came to look the land over about eleven O'clock Harriet came up soon after we had our dinner Levi H Russell and Mr. John Perkins came and we got dinner for them, Aaron spoke for dinner for himself and men Wednesday it stormed and we thought they would not come to dinner as they did not come here in the morning, as I had not washed and expected they would come the next day. I went and prepared and had just gone to washing when they came for dinner. Then I had to put away washing and go and get dinner for them it was about 10'clock. They came again Thursday. yesterday we met to bid for choice, the bid money will be divided equal among us. Joseph has the homestead for he did not bid for choice. William has the south part of the great pasture No 5 and I have part No 6. Aaron has a part of what is called the Upton lot, Levi Russell has two shares he has bought brother Levi's share all things went on very pleasant at least as respects Aaron he bid first and gave 195 for his choice. Mr. Dorman was here, Aaron was opposed to my having him bid for me but we planned it and I happened to have a tongue and bid ten dollars for myself. Levi is here yet. I expect he will go back next week. Mr. Larrabee came here tonight he will spend the night with us he says he should like to see you very much he wants to know if you sing as much as ever Joseph killed his hogs thursday and Mother has one of them Thus you see we have something to do, levi and Mr. Larrabee have been talking about the west. Mr. L. has got quite a west fever he thinks he should like to go there, if my letter is not wrote very well you will not think strange where there is too much talking. I will not write any more tonight and will bid you a happy goodnight.
Sabbath eve I have been to meeting all day rode with William. Mr. Hodgman preacher, write when you can these few lines is from your mother Lois Shute