Using Software for Genealogy Research into Family Trees

Family tree research software has made the whole process of researching family genealogy much easier. There are many advantages that the software confers over the old fashioned method of spending time in basements and libraries; cross referencing online databases, photo scanning and storage, and easier communication with other researchers.

When purchasing genealogical software, it is important to look for the features that would suit the user's specific needs.

But also be aware that some basic features should be present that would make the user's job of researching family history easier, which is the whole point of the software to begin with. It would be helpful if the program can import information from other genealogical software or databases from other programs like Access and Excel.

As far as functionality goes, the software should be easy to read and easy to use. The interface should be intuitive; a lot of genealogy software has features like viewing personal data by click on the name tags of children or parents. You also need to look for software that can interface with lineage information such as birth records, adoption records, death certificates, descendant charts, or any other types of information that could be found useful to people. A lot of deluxe software packages come with the ability to access county records in home states to account for discrepancies in dates, names or locations. Another added bonus feature would be to look up information based on location such as zip code, county, city or state.

Good software can come with other deluxe features such as potential problem reports, reformatting formatted data and web site development. Since a lot of the information can be found online, or maybe someone wishes to share found information with others, the ability to create a website is essential, especially for those who don't have expert knowledge in HTML or other web programming languages. An added bonus is that great amounts of information, especially photographs, don't have to be shipped through the mail, costing much more money than is necessary. All that is needed is the ability to push 'send'.

Today's computer technology allows a genealogist or hobbyist access to information once thought only available on microfilm in libraries. While some libraries still only have information available on microfilm, a lot of this information has been converted to digital format, allowing people to read and gather information from the comfort of home.

Before you purchase genealogy software, most packages give users a thirty day trial. If in that time one decides to buy the software outright, a credit card and online access is all that is needed. The software doesn't even have to be reinstalled.

There are many, many programs available for almost any platform, be it Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP or Vista, or even Mac, so the choices are infinite for the beginner, mid-level or expert computer savvy genealogist.

Leave a comment | View Comments