I currently use The Master Genealogist (TMG) software. I chose this because of its comprehensive features, although it is not particularly user friendly. As it seems that the UK version is no longer supported I am looking for a replacement. Family Tree Maker is a leading candidate but there have been adverse reports about the latest version. I should be grateful for advice and suggestions. John Mitchelmore

I recommend Family Historian. You can download a free trial version: http://www.family-historian.co.uk/ It is a very flexible and highly customisable program, and the developer is British. Debbie

It is always personal, but I would probably go for Family Historian rather than Family Tree Maker. Most people will recommend the programme they use, and they may or may not have tried others. I have tried and would recommend FH but don't use it at the moment. This is because I still use an old version of Family Tree Maker (FTM 2006), which is superb but as a legacy system you should not start using it now. The newer versions of FTM (2008-2014), which I have also tried, are completely different and have been problematic. They are getting better but they are not the class leader that FTM2006 was in its day. One day, I will have to upgrade to a 'modern' programme but after trying both, currently I would recommend FH over FTM. If you do choose FTM, bear in mind that although it likes to integrate with Ancestry and has facilities for online trees, you do not have to use these features. David M -----Original Message----- From: Mitchelmore Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 12:06 PM To: SOG-UK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SOG-UK] Genealogy Software I currently use The Master Genealogist (TMG) software. I chose this because of its comprehensive features, although it is not particularly user friendly. As it seems that the UK version is no longer supported I am looking for a replacement. Family Tree Maker is a leading candidate but there have been adverse reports about the latest version. I should be grateful for advice and suggestions. John Mitchelmore ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SOG-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

John, What makes you think the UK version of TMG is no longer supported? I can't find anything to that effect on the Wholly Genes website. Indeed the new version - TMG 9 - has just added the ability to produce UK style drop line charts. As you may know, I was a long time user of TMG and provided both the Sample Project and the Source Types for the UK version. I switched to Family Tree Maker some years ago when it started providing functionality previously only available to me in TMG. In my opinion, Family Tree Maker does so with a more pleasing and user friendly interface. It is also much more reliable and robust software, since TMG is based on a now very old and obsolete database structure. When I first started using TMG in the 1990s it was cutting edge. Sadly, in my opinion, it is now some way behind the curve. But others will disagree, depending on which features they use. What specific adverse reports are you worried about concerning the latest version of Family Tree Maker - FTM 2014? I have used FTM from FTM 2010 onwards and, for me, each version has been better than the previous one. I use it every day in my work as a professional genealogist and maintain multiple client databases. I have had had no problems at all with the software. Having said which, the best new program for you is the one with which you personally feel comfortable. This is one area where personal recommendations are really no help at all. One man's meat truly is another's poison. About once a year I download the trial versions of other genealogy software and have so far never been tempted to change to Family Historian, Legacy or Roots Magic. I am sure that users of those programs feel exactly the same about my choice of FTM. It is important that you take the time to try out each program and decide which works best for you. Caroline Gurney Caroline Gurney | Historical Research Services On 25 April 2014 12:06, Mitchelmore <post@jkmitchelmore.plus.com> wrote: > I currently use The Master Genealogist (TMG) software. I chose this because of its comprehensive features, although it is not particularly user friendly. As it seems that the UK version is no longer supported I am looking for a replacement. Family Tree Maker is a leading candidate but there have been adverse reports about the latest version. > I should be grateful for advice and suggestions. > John Mitchelmore > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SOG-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message