We knew Mom was fooling around with genealogy, but the extent was a surprise! We (I and eldest son) want to do it right, save this stuff to electronic format, make it available on a website (that's no problem). The problem is to get the right software the first time. Probably other problems ...... tell me. Not much money available. Any good advice is appreciated. I don't want to start entering data, only to find the effort wasted due to poor choice. Using my "handle" for now, until I figure how you people get away with letting your names and email addresses hang out for SPAM harvesting... Ol' Bab "Ol' Bab" <olbabNO-SPAM@rochester.rr.com>

> We knew Mom was fooling around with genealogy, but the extent was a > surprise! > > We (I and eldest son) want to do it right, save this stuff to > electronic format, make it available on a website (that's no > problem). > > The problem is to get the right software the first time. Probably > other problems ...... tell me. Not much money available. I recommend Legacy. The free, standard version available from their website should suit your needs. [The free version has no time limit.] This is one of the very best and one of the least expensive [if you buy the deluxe version.] Be sure to put in the sources of your information, if you have it, i.e. birth certificate, etc. Joan B "Joan Best" <joanbest@earthlink.net>

>We knew Mom was fooling around with genealogy, but the extent was a >surprise! > >We (I and eldest son) want to do it right, save this stuff to >electronic format, make it available on a website (that's no >problem). > >The problem is to get the right software the first time. Probably >other problems ...... tell me. Not much money available. > >Any good advice is appreciated. I don't want to start entering >data, only to find the effort wasted due to poor choice. > >"Ol' Bab" <olbabNO-SPAM@rochester.rr.com> My, it's been a busy few months on this list for all of the different topics of this post! We must be getting a lot of new members that just miss each of the previous discussions! If your mother has been "fooling around with genealogy" to an extent that has "surprised" you, chances are she's been doing fairly well, just not with the convenience that a good genealogy software program can give her. If your objective is to get her working (and her work) online, be sure to learn about all the dangers in both accepting what you find online as absolute fact and the problems with posting information online. Because of these problems, there are still some genealogists (not too many, I hope) who make a blanket judgment that Internet research is unacceptable (hard to believe!). It's important to always remember that the internet and any software program are only tools to help with research. I think the software discussion comes up on this list at least once a month, so I would recommend you check the list archives at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/GENMTD (since the beginning of this year is probably sufficient) and you'll find lots of very detailed information and referrals, including personal opinions and places where you can get ample information and download free trial versions of software. (Since the topic comes up so frequently, the number of responses received for a query may vary from previous times; so it pays to check the archives. Likewise for any other question, like protecting yourself against spam, protecting your privacy, etc., checking the archives is always good.) At http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/ you can find mailing lists for about every genealogy software program there is and "listen in" on what kinds of problems owners of the software have as well as ask their opinions. You might also want to check out http://www.mumford.ca/reportcard/ being sure to check out all the different parts of the report card. It grades each software on multiple tasks, but keep in mind that some things may have changed since this report card was issued. Take your time to learn about proper research practices and learn as much as possible about all your options before investing in the software. Your genealogy program is indeed an investment, which can make research much easier or more difficult. You've got the right idea about doing some "homework" to make your money count for the most. You can get lots of information about good standards of research practice through http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/comstandards.htm http://www.cyndislist.com/ and http://www.rootsweb.com/ The Gen-Newbie-L@rootsweb.com has some excellent starting education, as well as many experienced researchers who help people with many topics to get them on the right track and stay there, both related to research and computer use. A very comprehensive book to have around is "A Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy" by Val D. Greenwood. Your mom may already have a copy of it in her belongings, or you may even find it still available to read or download for free online, or you may find it at the local library. (I was surprised when my son found the latest edition somewhere online for me, but I have no idea where.) Fortunately, the increasing popularity of genealogy has been making the field more and more competitive, both for prices and features of genealogy software. As you learn a little about doing the research properly, you should carefully examine for yourself as much factual information as possible about all the programs and the makers, as well as trying out all the free demos. Especially if money is tight, don't let your enthusiasm for getting the project moving influence you to make too hasty a decision. You'll have a much better pay-off if you are patient and do all of your "homework" first. It's worth it in the long run to go ahead and use each of the various free trial programs with different family lines for a while, so you get a real feel for them. It won't really take too long before you see that each program has it's own advantages and disadvantages and you'll be better able to make the right choice for your needs and preferences. For the precise reasons you state, I've always found that buying the best I can afford (of anything utilitarian) is usually the best way to go, so I don't soon find myself having to replace it or buy something extra anytime soon. This is why my first choice since 1997 or 98 has always been The Master Genealogist by Wholly Genes Software at http://www.whollygenes.com/ TMG was originally created for professional genealogists (as opposed to the popular market) and was for a long time far more comprehensive in it's capabilities than any of the other less-expensive, more commonly found programs. It used to cost quite a bit more than any other program, with good reason. I've been happy with mine all this time, and it hasn't needed so many patches and updates as the other programs. The best features of TMG for me have been (1) virtually unlimited capability and flexibility with comprehensive, easy to understand instructions (actually in a good-sized book) so you can successfully use as few or as many features as you like (you can "grow into it, in a manner of speaking"; (2) the best tech support (through mailing lists, the website, and very accessible free tech support) I've ever seen for any kind of software anywhere; and (3) you won't get constantly barraged by additional "needs" or offers to buy more stuff or updates. Wholly Genes has now separated out the book and certain other "extra" items that used to be automatically included in the TMG purchase but weren't absolutely necessary, thus making the basic program and the built-in instructions now closer in price to other software programs. You can then buy the other components as desired or needed. There are, of course, also lots of people who are quite happy with other programs; and there are some who even use different programs for different purposes. If you don't see a parade of recommendations this time around on this list, be sure to check the archives. Diane genmail@1st.net