Genealogy software - advice please?

[Woz]

Bro in law would like a bit of software to record stuff about the family. Ideally some sort of thing where there is a family tree with everyone on it then you click on them and can display a load of info.

Not really my cup 'o tea but has anyone had any experience with this sort of thing and could you recommend software worth looking at for him as a christmas gift?

Failing that, it's fcuking socks.

[Woz]

Originally Posted by Woz

Failing that, it's fcuking socks.

Er, not socks to fcuk in.

[Adrian Kelland]

Tricky Woz,

Depends what you want to do. Some record info about people, some more about records, (births, deaths marriages etc.).

Avoid in my opinion - Family Tree Maker - the GUI has not advanced in years. Very US centric. However the only one I have used in any great amount.

http://www.genealogysupplies.com/ have a good range. You can get a cheap demo disk from them of various s/w.

Biggest UK mag is http://www.family-tree.co.uk now has cover discs with demos.

Family History is probably the biggest subject on the web after porn, so it can be hard going. http://www.cyndislist.com/ is probably the biggest reference site. Probably best to go along to his local family history society - even if his family is not local. They will have ty of advice. Unforunately many operate in day time. Think many retired old ladies..

Adrian

[Woz]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

Family History is probably the biggest subject on the web after porn....

I know. If he has asked me about the porn it would have been no problem.

[Spacehopper]

Woz, Writers of genealogical software must be some of the most prolific in the industry, there is no end of stuff available as shareware and on the high streets. One of the most popular is Family Tree Maker, available from Amazon and many other places. Whatever you buy, just make sure it is the UK version as quite a few programmes are written for the US market.

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Woz

I know. If he has asked me about the porn it would have been no problem.

What is his family name, or does he want all his ancestors?

Depending how serious he is, a subsciption to the mag might be a good start. It will enlighten him somewhat...

Getting information from your own family can be tricky. Getting back the first 100 years can be the hardest. People moving around a lot. And as for cans of worms to be opened... It can upset people. You can find out about unknown close family members etc. I did.

Adrian

[Woz]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

What is his family name, or does he want all his ancestors?

Depending how serious he is, a subsciption to the mag might be a good start. It will enlighten him somewhat...

Getting information from your own family can be tricky. Getting back the first 100 years can be the hardest. People moving around a lot. And as for cans of worms to be opened... It can upset people. You can find out about unknown close family members etc. I did.

Adrian

Well seeing as me and his missus are both half Polish and 1/8 irish it could be an interesting excercise.

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by Woz

Well seeing as me and his missus are both half Polish and 1/8 irish it could be an interesting excercise.

Does he have "Made in Europe" stamped on his arse?

[Woz]

'fraid not. He is from sunny Redcar. Where all the chemical spills from ICI end up. When the blast furnace isn't belching sulphur into the air. Still, had a nice lobster off the Redcar scars once which obviously did not affect me at all.


Wibble.

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by Woz

'fraid not. He is from sunny Redcar. Where all the chemical spills from ICI end up. When the blast furnace isn't belching sulphur into the air. Still, had a nice lobster off the Redcar scars once which obviously did not affect me at all.


Wibble.

Erm, i met your daughter at the weekend.........i think you may be mistaken.

And redcar is where my LDS is...