
Genealogy an old hobby is greatly enhanced by the new technology
computers and the Internet. It's a match made in cyber heaven, so to speak.
Many new genealogists do not remember
a time when they didn't use a computer for their genealogy. However, many others
are just beginning to use their personal computer, or are just now considering
genealogical software applications.
How can genealogical software aid you
in tracing and compiling your family tree?
Organize your information
Make it easier to add (or delete) ancestors without having to redo everything
Help sort and search data, such as finding particular individuals by name, date
or other fields
Cut down on duplication of entries/information
Enable you to locate and keep in touch with cousins and other researchers. Nedsite
(worldwide people finder site index).
Help find and avoid potential errors (Mary Jones didn't really have a child
10 years after she died, did she?)
Compile and print a variety of reports in: Register,
NGSQ Style, and in Ahnentafel
formats.
Create beautiful charts
Keep track of completed research
Help you to focus and project where your research should go next
All this and more is possible when you incorporate
a computer and some programs and applications into your genealogical research
toolbox.
Hit
Any Key!
There are dozens of different types of genealogical
programs and applications available. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Some
are easy to learn; others are difficult. About the only thing all experienced
genealogists who use computers agree on is that there is no one program that
will do everything for everyone.
Genealogy programs will help
you keep track of your ancestry. There are a variety of programs available for
the different computers. How do you know which one will serve your purposes?
- Compare features
- Read the reviews and comments by others
- Download and test free demo
Among
the best and most popular genealogy software programs (in alphabetical order,
not ranking) are the following:
The Genealogical
Software Report Card (does not include any Mac programs) is designed to aid
by providing and easy-to-use guide for the selection of software. It is based
on a scorecard of more than 300 items.
Resources
for Macintosh users including genealogy software, utilities, and more can
be found here.
Regardless of which genealogy program you select, be sure it has GEDCOM capabilities.
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What is GEDCOM?
It is a file format, developed
by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints (LDS) to provide a flexible and uniform format for exchanging computerized
genealogical data. GEDCOM is an acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunication.
A GEDCOM filename ends with the extension of *.ged (like smith.ged). It is
necessary to convert your genealogical database to a GEDCOM file in order to
upload it to RootsWeb's WorldConnect.
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Software
Mailing Lists at RootsWeb
Learn more about a particular genealogy program
and applications by subscribing to its mailing list.
Database
programs are different from genealogy programs. Many people use the term "database"
interchangeably with the term "genealogy applications" when talking
about their software. But they are not the same.Database programs are those you
can use for a variety purposes such as keeping track of inventories or organizing
your personal library or VCR tapes. These do not necessarily lend themselves
for compiling genealogical data, as you cannot get them to print out a genealogy
report. However, they have their functions, particularly when you are extracting
information from say census or cemetery records. Using a database program for
this type of work keeps the information in a set format, allows you to do quick
searches, and in some cases, will allow you to export to a format you can use
in your genealogy program.
Word-processing
programs are perhaps the best known type computer programs (besides games, which
we have all bought for our children and grandchildren, of course.). When
used in conjunction with your genealogy and database programs, you can generate
a genealogy book or prepare large detailed family history or genealogical report.
The newer word-processing programs can generate forms, create letters to fellow
researchers with data from your genealogy program included, and make quick corrections
all without you having to retype the entire letter or report.
Communication
programs help you to contact other genealogists. The online communities (both
commercial and noncommercial) offer unique resources in that they bring fellow
researchers into contact via mailing lists, Chat Rooms, IRC, and web pages.
There are a variety of genealogical applications available. A lot depends on
just what your main goal is and your computer's hardware. If you are interested
in publishing a book, then you will want to concentrate on a powerful genealogy
program and a good word-processing program. On the other hand, perhaps you have
found a book that sorely needs an index. If so, then you will want to look at
a database program or an indexing
program (a program specifically designed for generating indexes). If you
are interested in extracting all the census entries or deeds for a specific surname
or certain locality, then you look at either the database programs, an indexing
program (if only generating an index rather than a full extraction) or some special
applications designed to do the particular job.
New to genealogy? Many
of today's genealogy programs can help you learn the proper ways to record your
ancestors, cite your sources, and share your data. They make it much easier to
work with the data and free you to do the fun stuff hunt those elusive
characters lurking back there in your family's past.
Ahnentafel.
This is a German word meaning ancestor table.
It is an efficient way to organize a pedigree for it creates a continuous list
of ancestors instead of chart. It is particularly useful when corresponding with
another genealogist because it allows him or her to see immediately where your
genealogical research ends and also where your family and his or hers might have
common ancestry. Many genealogy programs will create an Ahnentafel-style
genealogy report for you.
Note that if you double a number it gives you the father of that person; double
the number, plus one, and you have the name of the mother.

Your basic Ahnentafel
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1. your
name |
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2. your
father |
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3. your
mother |
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4. your
father's father |
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5. your
father's mother |
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6. your
mother's father |
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7. your
mother's mother |
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8. your
father's father's father |
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9.
your father's father's mother |
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10. your father's
mother's father |
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11. your father's
mother's mother |
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12. your mother's
father's father |
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13. your mother's
father's mother |
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14. your mother's
mother's father |
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15. your mother's
mother's mother |
Numbering Systems in Genealogy
by Richard A. Pence

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Suggested Reading
& References |
Books
Arends, Marthe. Genealogy Software
Guide. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical
Publishing Co., Inc. 1998.
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