I made a 5 generation Family History book using a program called "Gen-book" which has not been up-dated since 1997. So is no longer useful as the software it connects with to download the data have changed so much in the 15 years since. It used the Modified register format for both Ancestor stories and Descendant stories which I like very much . It imported all the data and then I could add addtional background and stories. It created the table of contents, numbered all the people for the index and ended up with a professional work with little addtional typing or fuss. I have learned that NGS does not support using Modified Register for an Ancestor book. Why is that? It does not make any sense to me since I have seen how it can work. I don't like the format of my Roots Magic publishing forms or several others I have looked at. Are there any other suggestions I might check out? Thanks, Jeannette

Before addressing your questions, I would like to clarify a few things: 1. The Modified Register System--also called the NGSQ System--is a numbering system for descending genealogies. It can only be used to number beginning with the earliest generation and coming forward in time, by design. (Perhaps I do not understand what you mean when you say the software used this system for "both Ancestor stories and Descendant stories.") 2. The Modified Register System, as noted above, is also called the NGSQ System. This is the numbering system that is used in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Therefore, by implication, it is exactly the system that NGS recommends for genealogies. Unless, of course, you mean an ascending family history ("narrative pedigree") by your term "Ancestor book." If that is the case, then the NGSQ System cannot be used. It is not designed to work in that direction. To more directly answer your question about what software to use for your book, my personal recommendation would be to use Microsoft Word. In my opinion, there are no genealogy database software programs that can automatically create a well-written family history without significant editing. Michael Hait, CG(sm) michael.hait@hotmail.com http://www.haitfamilyresearch.com "Planting the Seeds" Blog: http://michaelhait.wordpress.com CG and Certified Genealogist are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic competency evaluation, and the board name is registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. -----Original Message----- From: Jeannette Maxey Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2012 6:30 PM To: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com Subject: [TGF] making a book-publishing I made a 5 generation Family History book using a program called "Gen-book" which has not been up-dated since 1997. So is no longer useful as the software it connects with to download the data have changed so much in the 15 years since. It used the Modified register format for both Ancestor stories and Descendant stories which I like very much . It imported all the data and then I could add addtional background and stories. It created the table of contents, numbered all the people for the index and ended up with a professional work with little addtional typing or fuss. I have learned that NGS does not support using Modified Register for an Ancestor book. Why is that? It does not make any sense to me since I have seen how it can work. I don't like the format of my Roots Magic publishing forms or several others I have looked at. Are there any other suggestions I might check out? Thanks, Jeannette The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message