Ancestry.com- Shaking Your Family Tree, August 27, 1998

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Shaking Your Family Tree

August 27, 1998

Shaking Your Family Tree, by Myra Vanderpool Gormley, C.G.

NEW VERSION, COMPANION BOOK FOR FAMILY TREE MAKER

by Myra Vanderpool Gormley, C.G.

"While some more cautious genealogists warn new online researchers about wasting time on the Internet, my advice is to explore it -- if you have the time.

"At first you will be somewhat like a kid in a candy or toy store -- darting hither and thither, clicking and scrolling, and on occasion following so many links that you lose your way and even forget the object of your initial search.

"I have observed the same behavior in researchers at the famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the DAR Library in Washington, D.C., and at the regional branches of the National Archives.

"It is OK to go crazy at first because exploring the Web is an educational process. Moreover, it is fun. Tracing your family tree should be fun, too.

"However, having fun does not mean you are not serious about your research and the genealogical material you are compiling to leave to your descendants.

"One of the first questions a newcomer to genealogical online research asks is 'What's online?' -- usually followed by 'How do you find it?' Almost anything you can imagine pertaining to genealogical and historical research is online -- or will be tomorrow.

"However, that does not mean the marriage record of your great-grandparents is online or that you can type in your immigrant ancestor's name and learn the name of the ship he sailed on and date and port of entry. The information might be available, but like all genealogical and historical data, you will have to search for it.

"There is no giant computer database about everybody's ancestors that will spew forth any and all data at your request. Moreover, many records are protected by privacy laws and simply are not accessible.''

The foregoing is excerpted from my new book, Prima's Official Companion to Family Tree Maker (Version 5.0) (456 pages; paperback; $24.99; Prima Publishing).

This book is designed to help you utilize the program's powerful tools, including how to create an accurate family tree, how to find ancestors, create scrapbooks and customize the ancestor reports of the program. However, part of the book focuses on using the Internet to find genealogical data, along with numerous tips about how you can use electronic resources to your best advantage.

It is available at Barnes & Nobles stores nationwide and online or by phone at: http://www.primapublishing.com; (800) 632-8676, ext. 4444. and athttp://www.familytreemaker.com/aug; (800) 548-1806.

Family Tree Maker 5.0 has several new display features, unlimited facts entry and a built-in to-do lists option. Among the new features are:

-- Hourglass Tree, which allows you to display both ancestors and descendants together in the same tree.

-- Historical timelines, which allow you to graphically display each individual's "life bar'' horizontally across time. You can also include historical information so you can see the events that helped shape each person's life.

-- Color Code Trees, which let you color code charts by sex or by generation.

-- Research Journal, which is an updatable to-do list.

-- Foreign language form letters in Spanish, German, Italian and French, which you can use to request genealogical records from other countries.

--Import data from PAF 3.0.

Family Tree Maker 5.0 (works only with Windows 95 and Windows 98) is available in stores nationwide in two editions: Deluxe (with 10 CDs), $89.99 or Deluxe (with 4 CDs), $59.99. Or it can be ordered by calling Broderbund Software at (800) 474-8696 or by visiting http://www.familytreemaker.com on the Web.

(c) 1998, Los Angeles Times Syndicate

Myra Vanderpool Gormley and Julie Case are co-editors of Missing Links, a free weekly genealogy e-zine. To subscribe, send your request to: Missing Links Newsletter

Return to Myra Vanderpool Gormley Main Page
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Copyright 1998, 1999, Ancestry.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.
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August 27, 1998
	NEW VERSION, COMPANION BOOK FOR FAMILY TREE MAKER by Myra Vanderpool Gormley, C.G.
"While some more cautious genealogists warn new online researchers about wasting time on the Internet, my advice is to explore it -- if you have the time. "At first you will be somewhat like a kid in a candy or toy store -- darting hither and thither, clicking and scrolling, and on occasion following so many links that you lose your way and even forget the object of your initial search. "I have observed the same behavior in researchers at the famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the DAR Library in Washington, D.C., and at the regional branches of the National Archives. "It is OK to go crazy at first because exploring the Web is an educational process. Moreover, it is fun. Tracing your family tree should be fun, too. "However, having fun does not mean you are not serious about your research and the genealogical material you are compiling to leave to your descendants. "One of the first questions a newcomer to genealogical online research asks is 'What's online?' -- usually followed by 'How do you find it?' Almost anything you can imagine pertaining to genealogical and historical research is online -- or will be tomorrow. "However, that does not mean the marriage record of your great-grandparents is online or that you can type in your immigrant ancestor's name and learn the name of the ship he sailed on and date and port of entry. The information might be available, but like all genealogical and historical data, you will have to search for it. "There is no giant computer database about everybody's ancestors that will spew forth any and all data at your request. Moreover, many records are protected by privacy laws and simply are not accessible.'' The foregoing is excerpted from my new book, Prima's Official Companion to Family Tree Maker (Version 5.0) (456 pages; paperback; $24.99; Prima Publishing). This book is designed to help you utilize the program's powerful tools, including how to create an accurate family tree, how to find ancestors, create scrapbooks and customize the ancestor reports of the program. However, part of the book focuses on using the Internet to find genealogical data, along with numerous tips about how you can use electronic resources to your best advantage. It is available at Barnes & Nobles stores nationwide and online or by phone at: http://www.primapublishing.com; (800) 632-8676, ext. 4444. and athttp://www.familytreemaker.com/aug; (800) 548-1806. Family Tree Maker 5.0 has several new display features, unlimited facts entry and a built-in to-do lists option. Among the new features are: -- Hourglass Tree, which allows you to display both ancestors and descendants together in the same tree. -- Historical timelines, which allow you to graphically display each individual's "life bar'' horizontally across time. You can also include historical information so you can see the events that helped shape each person's life. -- Color Code Trees, which let you color code charts by sex or by generation. -- Research Journal, which is an updatable to-do list. -- Foreign language form letters in Spanish, German, Italian and French, which you can use to request genealogical records from other countries. --Import data from PAF 3.0. Family Tree Maker 5.0 (works only with Windows 95 and Windows 98) is available in stores nationwide in two editions: Deluxe (with 10 CDs), $89.99 or Deluxe (with 4 CDs), $59.99. Or it can be ordered by calling Broderbund Software at (800) 474-8696 or by visiting http://www.familytreemaker.com on the Web. (c) 1998, Los Angeles Times Syndicate Myra Vanderpool Gormley and Julie Case are co-editors of Missing Links, a free weekly genealogy e-zine. To subscribe, send your request to: Missing Links Newsletter Return to Myra Vanderpool Gormley Main Page Return to Columns Main Page
Copyright 1998, 1999, Ancestry.com Inc. and its subsidiaries. Terms and Conditions \| Privacy Statement