Review by Robert D. Harmon

Ive used several versions of Family Tree Maker over the years and this version seemed a little more intuitive. It did load my existing FTM tree files with no problem. This latest program loaded on a Windows 7 PC with no problems, and easily updated online when prompted by the installation software. It offers a free, three-month subscription to Ancestry.com, and makes little sense to use Family Tree Maker without Ancestry.com to support it, since Ancestrys archives can find more data on your ancestors – birth, military and marriage records and so forth. However, the user should remember that Ancestry will want the users credit-card information and, if the user doesnt opt out or upgrade in three months, Ancestry will automatically subscribe the user to a new quarter (current price $50.85).

(I find that it sometimes helps to log into your account at Ancestry.com online – that is to say, through a browser – and then open FTM).

FTM comes with a helpful, 300-page booklet, a Companion Guide that explains FTMs features, functions and options.

Ive used previous versions of FTM and find this version to be a little easier to view trees and add data for individual ancestors. I still need to open the individuals file to add things like military service, occupation and so forth if the data is on paper or family memories. You can flip back and forth between the tree and the person, but Im still a little cramped by the trees showing a persons direct ancestors and descendants, and those only through one spouse visible at a time. If the person had two or three spouses, with children, its still a little difficult accessing what are separate (and separately invisible) branches.

The merge feature from Ancestry records to your FTM family tree is a very convenient way to combine info on family members, especially if Ancestry points to possible entries in public records. FTM shows this with a leaf symbol on the family members page in the family tree, and clicking on it will bring up a list of Ancestry links to marriage and other public records. This will add to existing family members information and also point out previously-unknown children, siblings, parents. This is a big improvement but the FTM buyer should figure on an investment in Ancestry.com as well.

Recommend. A step forward on the Family Tree Maker line, with a lot of the (hidden) work being done by the program and Ancestry.