I have just started getting interested in my family history and it's been a fun ride so far.
But all these software options is confusing to say the least. I'm considering buying a program that I would like to sync with FamilySearch and A.com. From what it sounds like, it doesn't seem that's an easy thing to do to say the least. And from what I've read Ancestry.com's own software FTM had a difficult time syncing. If I could choose just one to sync with, it would be FamilySearch, but would like the option open in the future with A.com. As someone who is just staring out, I find all these software issues beyond comprehension and quite absurd, almost inspiring one to not even bother with family history.
So, before I go down the road to far with any one program, what advice would suggest? If you had the chance to start over with a certain setup, what would you do, knowing what you know now?
My own sense at this point is use a program that syncs well with familyseach, and just use A.com for research purposes.
Any insights for a newbie? What kind of setup do you use?
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Re: advice for a beginner
Best advice I can give...forget about syncing to online sources!
Get you a good standalone program for your desktop - do all your work in that program- download all docs and sources to your computer and attatch them to the proper persons. THEN, AND ONLY THEN, should you think about choosing to put your tree somewhere online your info isn't held captive on some site that won't download it in a VALID GEDCOM FORMAT.
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Re: advice for a beginner
Thanks AG for the insight. This has crossed my mind and I think will probably be what I will end up doing.
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Re: advice for a beginner
First, I would agree with Andy regard syncing. I would go one step farther and not really worry about sharing to the web ever. I'm not say don't share but I would build my own website but divorced from the collection program you use. Most programs don't build a very interesting site, most that I have seen are not very attractive or fun.
Second, I would find out if in your area their is a genealogy group or club, learn from them what they find is better or more useful. Don't be attracted to marketing hype about features that may not help you to collect data and report back to you.
Third, try out as many programs as you can, either by downloading a trial or, via the club, look at what others use and see if it matches your need. If your family is primarily from one particular country, is the alphabet used in that country easy to implement? If your family has a naming tradition different than Western Europe, does the software support that tradition? For example: not all traditions have one surname, or some traditions have no surname, or the surname is first, not last. Look at how well they support good sourcing habits. Do they make sourcing easy, or help to train you to make good sourcing decisions?
Fourth, as a librarian and database designer I believe that the software should also help you to keep track of your sources and provide a good place to store and organize images of your sources.
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Re: advice for a beginner
Kj, thanks for all the advice. Didn't even occur to me to find a group to learn from. I live in Utah, so that should be fairly easy to accomplish.
I would agree with you about publishing to the web. I have not been impressed with the built-in software tools of website building. I've put together a few on my own before, so when I get ready to share, I'll be making something that works for me.
thanks again!
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