Hi Jan, At http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson3.htm is a wonderful lesson called "Using Technology to Dig Up Roots" from RootsWeb's series of lessons I've been downloading from RootsLink's weekly guide--I think that's the new name for the series, anyway. There's a list on page 3 (of 8--I also make hard copies of each one) of the best and most popular genealogy software programs. Myself, I've only used Personal Ancestral File since the 2.31 version several years ago. Since then PAF was upgraded to 3.0 and I really loved that one. The new one that's FREE on the Internet at http://www.familysearch.org/Browse/browse.asp is a little harder for me to get used to because I was very used to DOS and the keyboard approach, and to having a hard copy manual in front of me. But I love the new print-outs of the reports! They're so much more to publication standards! It combines the best features of a program called "Legacy," which some people like and others don't (of those I've talked to who have a lot of genealogy experience) such as publication applications, room for photos, videos, etc., and is much easier to use. All I know about Family Tree Maker is that is contains a lot of great information, but I have one of their CD's and have a bit of a time trying to figure it out. My brother-in-law has the whole program but hasn't started it yet because he hasn't read the manual yet--I guess it's pretty extensive and he'd need to read it all to follow the program. I've heard Family Origins is wonderful, and is much like Personal Ancestral File. That's it from me: one endorsement for Personal Ancestral File, mostly. And free isn't a bad price! --Carol