Anything but A.

[seeker]

Hello All
I want to purchase a family tree maker,( or even a free one!) but I don't want A.....y. Could some one recommend one to me? Bear in mind I have read previous posts, and hope there is something out there which is tried, tested and up to date and does not connect to A.....y, and I can work on it when I want. ( yes I know you don't have to pay to edit your tree) I want what I have on A.....y to transfer to a new F.T.M.
Kindest Regards to all on the Forum
seeker 8041

[dickiesam]

Hi Seeker,
I will always recommend Brother's Keeper, a program written and maintained by a John Steed [no, not him of the TV Avengers!]. It is not a freebie like many of what I regard as 'not so good'. Information about it here: http://www.bkwin.com/

I have used BK for over 15 years. Support is great. On the few occasions I have needed help it was by return email within 24 hours. Current cost is about £25 with CD and the 'how to' manual.

[MaryA]

Just to mention that the programme Family Tree Maker, although it has associations with Ancestry and can be synchronised with it online, you can also use it solely on your own computer and turn off uploads to Ancestry.

[Hilary]

I have Family Tree maker but have never had it connected to Ancestry.

If I understand you correctly you have a tree on Ancestry which you want to remove and put into a different programme. Haven't a clue how you'd do that but no doubt someone will know...........

[dickiesam]

If I understand you correctly you have a tree on Ancestry which you want to remove and put into a different programme. Haven't a clue how you'd do that but no doubt someone will know...........

According to my Brother's Keeper manual the Ancestry program should be able to provide a Gedcom file that can be downloaded and then uploaded into the chosen replacement program. Of course there is always the possibility that Ancestry will not permit gedcoms? I don't do Ancestry so can't check.

Info about gedcoms here: http://genealogy.about.com/od/family_tr ... dcom_2.htm

[seeker]

Hello DS & MaryA
Thanks for those tips. I shall certainly look into them.
seeker 8041

[seeker]

Hello Ed Officer & again DS
Sorry I missed your replies. I will look into Gedcom as advised. My simple thinking is by editing in a new window (or system) I will be forced to look again at my previous input, and also add new material.
I have by looking at my papers time and again found stuff of interest that I had missed before. Brickwalls that were thought existed, didn't
seeker 8041

[Southbank Kat]

Hi
Just had a look at my tree on Ancestry and if you open your tree and look for tree pages link next to the name of your tree this brings down a menu choose Tree Settings. Then on the right of the page there is a green button that says Save as a gedcom and then download gedcom. This saves the gedcom file to your download file on computer. You can then import that gedcom file into any Family Tree program that you have purchased. This gedcom file will only have the basic information that you have on your ancestry tree there will be no documents ie census, parish registers etc saved.

I will add what Ed Officer and Mary have said and confirm that I have Family Tree Maker and do not use it in conjunction with Ancestry both programs are completely separate. FTM is what I use all the time and I have more information on my there than Ancestry and use it without being logged onto Ancestry or the internet.

But there are lots of programs out there RootsMagic, Legacy, Family Historian, Custodian. The S & N Genealogy website has detailed information about each program with screenshots of what they look like which maybe helpful to you.

Hope this helps in some way.

[seeker]

Hello Southbank Kat
What you put in your post is exactly what I require. I must admit I've tried to do what you suggested re. GEDCOM in the past, but for some reason it did not import.Maybe A..... had put restrictions on it. Anyway since then my desktop has had a few improvements, so I'll have another crack at it!
dickiesam I've read that link re GEDCOM, it is very informative.
Thank you all for your help.
seeker 8041

[Southbank Kat]

Hi
As far as I'm aware A.. haven't restricted it, it just took a couple of goes to get it to work it may require a little persistance!

[seeker]

Hello Southbank Kat
This is the benefit of our forum, there is always someone out there to put you right! As yet I've not made up my mind which family tree program to go for, but thanks for all advice.
seeker 8041

[Southbank Kat]

You're welcome - glad to of been of help!
Hope you find something you like soon.