Back in the "olden days", before home computers were common, relatively few people engaged in genealogy as a hobby. Family tree research that was needed was usually done by professionals, who waded through multitudinous masses of paper documents in dusty archives and who either traveled to distant locales to continue the search, or wrote to custodians of the distant archives begging them to wade through their paper forest looking for a specific branch of a particular tree.
Time passed, and computers grew smaller and more affordable and began to appear in homes. At the same time, hand-written and printed documents, especially the old, moldy, and disorganized, were being transferred into a format making them accessible to computers. Now more people became interested in tracing their family ancestry because much of the research could be done right from their computer. However for many of us, things still weren't easy. What collections of data were available? How did I find them? Once I found them, how did I get in? Once in, how did I find the specific reference I wanted? Once I'd found a reference, how did I know it was for the correct person? And then, the big one! How did I organize this information into some sort of order - preferably into a graphic presentation of some sort. (A pile of 3x5 cards just wouldn't do... although thumb-tacking them to the wall was one option!)
Time passed, and clever programmers worked on the problem, backers gave financial support, and here we are today - with a variety of full featured family tree genealogy software to guide us through the voluminous data collections to be found online as well as presenting us with not just one way to graphically present our ancestral data, but with a variety of family tree chart presentations. Specific programs enable us to add historical context or even photos.
It is almost a given that once a person has started their family tree research they will be bitten by the Sharing Bug. This causes an intense desire to share one's ancestry research with parents, siblings, children and grandchildren, at the very least. Progressively the itch can spread to sharing with nieces, nephews, first and second cousins, and so on.
Present day family tree software makes sharing easy. Basically there are two ways to share genealogical information: through CD/DVDs, or through printed media, which might include books, binders, wall charts or banners. One also realizes that a family tree chart makes a priceless gift, either by itself or combined with a copy of the appropriate software so that the recipient can continue their own research.
So how do you decide which family tree genealogy software program is the right one for you? It all depends...an ambivalent answer, even though true.
The most common reason to purchase a family tree software program is to simplify your genealogical research and to guide you in constructing your family tree chart. The ability to easily share this research can also be an important factor.
On a website our suggestion is to read the Product Information for each program. (There aren't that many, so it won't take a lot of time.) If possible, skim through them a first time... you may find out about something new to you... like DNA testing. Check the System Requirements to make sure your computer and the program are compatible. Give some thought to exactly what you want to do and what you may need to do it. For example, if your parents were both immigrants, the US Census for 1900 won't be very useful. Think carefully about how you may want to share your research. Check out the "extras" each program offers... for example, a trial subscription to a magazine.
Make a list of the features you absolutely will use, and another list of those that would be nice, but not essential. Go back again to the Product Information. Note which programs have the features you want. Eliminate any programs that do not have the features you absolutely have to have. Consider what kind of customer support is offered. Does the package include training aids? If you still are wavering you can also consider price. The range of family tree software prices from lowest to highest is about $80. Evaluate whether the "extras" are worth the additional cost...they might be something you would use in the future.
Even if you end up with a family tree genealogy program that is not absolutely perfect for you, get started anyway! There will always be new and updated programs coming out, and all the data you will have collected can be readily transferred if you later find the ultimate program. Enjoy your ancestry hunt!
By Maura Brennan
Maura Brennan is an experienced teacher, counselor, editor, and small business owner. Her current interests include childhood education in the home, income tax issues, and ancestry research for a family tree. She welcomes anyone interested in genealogy to http://www.familytreefolks.com/.
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