RootsMagic 9 is Now Released; Special Savings Until March 6,2023, Only

Wouldn't you know it? We did an update post on some of the various genealogy software out there and ... RootsMagic released version 9 on February 27, four days later.

Read the RootsMagic blog to learn more about the release. Normally RootsMagic costs $39.95 for new users with an upgrade price of $29.95 for existing users of earlier versions. BUT, BUT, BUT there is limited-time special pricing. Existing and new users (aka anyone) can get RootsMagic 9 for just $20 until March 6, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. After that normal pricing is in place and this sale will not be repeated.

If you are not familiar with RootsMagic, it has both a pay version called RootsMagic and a free version called RootsMagic Essentials which has all the features of the pay version but some are locked/unusable until you buy a key to unlock those features to turn Essentials into the full version.

RootsMagic has lots of videos and information on how its program works and with the free version it is easy to download and start using it to see if it works with the way you work. Remember, RootsMagic is one of only two genealogy programs that can sync with Ancestry Online Member Trees.

See you very soon at our favorite library!
LE

Genealogy Software Updates Available

We are starting to update our handouts that we use in our open house meetings and in our favorite library's Local History and Genealogy Room. One of our handouts is on genealogy software.

We wanted to remind everyone that there are updates to various genealogy software and that sometimes to fix a problem you do need to upgrade to a newer version. Some highlights to share are:

RootsMagic 8

RootsMagic released a new update just this month for its software RootsMagic 8 making 8.5.0.0 the current up-to-date version. This update adds Publisher to create books and made several other fixes. See the version history on Wiki. Besides the pay version there is also a free version called RootsMagic Essentials. There is a comparison chart to see the differences. RootsMagic 8 runs on both Windows and Mac.

If you have had any issues after a windows system update, check the RootsMagic blog for some tips and suggestions of what to do which may solve your problems.

If you have been waiting on a sale in order to purchase RootsMagic or any other genealogy tree software, then register for the free RootsTech 2023 virtual conference. Many of the conference vendors have sales during the conference. And many genealogy software vendors will be participating.

Family Tree Maker 2019

Despite being in the middle of a war zone since February 2022, Software MacKiev has now released two free updates for Family Tree Maker 2019 with the latest version 24.2 (build 532) having been released this month as well. The prior update in August 2022 fixed (among other things) the Ancestry login issue.

Make sure you are signed up for Family Tree Maker's mail list so you get the news when updates are released. MacKiev is still supporting Family Tree Maker 2017 but an additional update to fix its login issue has not been released yet. You can keep track of the latest version of each program (FTM2017 and FTM2019) here. At this time, to fix the login issue of FTM2017 the answer is to upgrade to FTM 2019 if you do not want to upgrade the answer is wait. If you select the link to upgrade to FTM2019 in that support article the upgrade price is on sale for $29.95 which is a good price.

Again Software MacKiev is usually a vendor at the RootsTech conference so check them out in the Expo Hall.

Remember, RootsMagic and Family Tree Maker are the only two genealogy software programs that sync with Ancestry online member trees. The programs sync in different ways so read and view videos to understand how they work and affect your tree so you can decide which program you prefer.

Family Tree Maker works with two plug-ins, Family Book Creator and Charting Companion. Both of which are separate companies whose software have versions that work with some other genealogy software as well. If you use either of these programs/plugins, check their websites for details on upgrading your genealogy software and how it might affect their program/plugin. Sometimes you may just have to reload the program/plugin but occasionally you might have to upgrade their program/plugin in addition if you upgrade your genealogy software.

Legacy Family Tree 9

Legacy's most recent version is 9.0.0.414 for Legacy 9. There is a features list on the website; and a variety of webinar videos many of which are free on Family Tree Webinars.

Ancestral Quest 16

Incline Software's Ancestral Quest 16's current build 11 was released in March 2022.

MyHeritage's Family Tree Builder 8

Though it is hard to locate, the current version of Family Tree Builder 8 is 8.0.0.8636 which seems to have been released in November 2022.

Family Historian 7

When we last updated our genealogy software handout, Family Historian 7 was not released yet. There is upgrade pricing, which varies, for versions 6 and 5. There are a variety of options to learn what is new with version 7 and how the program works.

Brother's Keeper 7.5

A shareware software, Brother's Keeper has been updated since our prior handout. The latest version 7.5 was released in December 2022. The program is still lagging behind in looks and features.

MacFamilyTree 10

Synium's MacFamilyTree Version 10 was released one year ago, with an update released in November 2022. It is a Mac only program.

Reunion 13

Leister Pro's Reunion software is version 13. Its latest update is as of October 2022. It is a Mac only program.

We hope this helps you explore your genealogy program options. We will see what gets announced during the RootsTech 2023 conference coming up very soon.

See you very soon at our favorite library!
LE

 

RootsMagic Software Holiday Special Sale, Save Up to 37% until December 31, 2022

Save up to 37% off RootsMagic software during its Holiday Special Sale running through December 31, 2022.

Save on RootsMagic 8, Personal Historian 3 and Family Atlas. A new license for RootsMagic 8 is regularly $39.95, now $29.95. If you have an older version of RootsMagic (such as 7 or earlier) the upgrade pricing sale is $24.95. You can find the sale announcement on the RootsMagic Corporate FaceBook page.

Not sure if RootsMagic is for you? There is a free version called RootsMagic Essentials you can download and install and use to see if RootsMagic will work for you. Here is a list of the differences between the pay and free versions of RootsMagic.

Use the code HOLIDAY2022 to receive your discount.

See you someday soon at our favorite library!
LE

Holiday Savings on RootsMagic 8 until December 24, 2021

The long awaited release (Sept. 30, 2021) of RootsMagic 8 is on sale for the holidays through Dec. 24, 2021. So if you missed the October sale you have another chance. You can find the needed discount code on the RootsMagic corporate FaceBook page or in the RootsMagic December 2021 newsletter which can be found via link on the RootsMagic FaceBook page. (You don't have to be a FaceBook member to set it.) Or here ... HOLIDAY2021 ... for your convenience. There is no limit on the number of discounted copies you can purchase.

RootsMagic 8 is regularly $39.95 for new purchasers. The sale price is $34.95 using the discount code.

RootsMagic 8 is regularly $29.95 for upgrades from previous versions of RootsMagic and FamilyOrigins. The sale price is $24.95 using the discount code.

The standard method of receiving the program is by digital download.

There is the option to purchase the program on a 4GB USB drive for $10 plus shipping. It has both the USB-Type A (standard) connection along with a USB-C connection. Other options include the purchase of either or both programs Personal Historian 3 (reg. $29.95, sale $19.95) and Family Atlas (reg. $29.95, sale $19.95) also developed by the makers of RootsMagic. But there is no additional discount on these add-ons.

RootsMagic 8 is for Windows 7 SP1, 8, 10 or 11 as well as macOS Sierra (10.12), High Sierra (10.13), Mojave (10.14), Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11) or Monterey (12).

There are many videos on the RootsMagic website to help learn the new features and get you started.

See you soon (some day) at our favorite library!
LE

2017 Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday Sales are All Around Us

Rather than recreate the wheel, remember to visit Genealogy Bargains website often over the next several days to keep an eye on Thomas MacEntee's list of all the genealogy bargains he has found.

Here are just a few mentions.

As you know from our last post, Family Tree DNA's FamilyFinder (autosomal) DNA test has been on sale for $59 after a one-day Flash sale for $49 the other week to start off the holiday sale. Well ladies and gentlemen, from today (Thanksgiving) until Cyber Monday, Nov. 27, the FamilyFinder test is on sale for $49 (the lowest price ever.) Shipping is extra.

It appears a third-party is selling the FamilyFinder test at the sale price on Amazon which qualifies for free shipping (for both regular and Prime members) but we have not tried purchasing this test thru Amazon so check reviews before buying.

Today is the last day for 23andMe's Ancestry Only DNA test sale. Buy two for $49 each or one for $69. Will they have a Black Friday - Cyber Monday sale? Possibly. It might be both tests (the 23andMe Ancestry only and the 23andMe Ancestry+Health) or just the Ancestry+Health. We have a few hours to wait and find out.

AncestryDNA is expected to have a sale too. Perhaps Black Friday only or it may run thru Cyber Monday. Again, we have to wait to learn.

Both 23andMe and AncestryDNA sell directly on their respective websites and on the Amazon website.

MyHeritageDNA autosomal DNA test is now on sale for $49 plus shipping until Cyber Monday, Nov. 27. Regular price is $99.

A fifth, much newer DNA testing company called LivingDNA is having a sale on its autosomal DNA test called LivingDNA. This company, based in the United Kingdom, is trying to get its ethnicity mixture test down to regions starting with Great Britain. The test is regularly $159 and the current Black Friday sale price is $89. Shipping varies from $9.95 standard to $39.95 for premium delivery. But be aware the company does not offer a matches database at this time so all you get is your ethnicity mixture and a general look at Y-DNA haplogroup (if male) and mtDNA haplogroup (male and female) similar to 23andMe's general look at haplogroups.

DNA testing kits are not the only things on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There are many more genealogy-related and technology-related items on sale too.

Just keep an eye on your favorite subscription websites, genealogy-publishing websites, other membership services (like societies and webinars to name just two types), software companies, and technology stores. Even keep an eye on Amazon especially the books and software categories.

For example:
Evidentia Software is having a 25% off holiday sale with coupon code HOLIDAYS25. The length of this was not mentioned.

MacKiev Software is having a discount sale on the upgrade price to Family Tree Maker 2017. If you have not already bought the upgrade to FTM2017 (and you own a previous version made by Ancestry.com or earlier publishers of the software) you can purchase the download version of the upgrade for $59.95 instead of the regular upgrade price of $79.95. If you haven't already verified with MacKiev that you have a previous version, join the Family Tree Maker mail list. You get an email newsletter with a link to the the upgrade promo pricing.

Genealogy Bargains mentions that RootsMagic is having a sale too for Black Friday-Cyber Monday.

There are lots of other sales listed, and more will likely be added as the day/weekend progresses. MacEntee often finds discount codes for various genealogy- or technology-related items at Amazon too. 

So keep an eye out and stay safe shopping.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

RootsMagic Released Update Bringing Ancestry Online Tree Syncing and Hints

On June 28, the makers of RootsMagic announced the release of RootsMagic 7.5 a free update to RootsMagic 7. The update brings two new features: TreeShare for for Ancestry and the addition of Ancestry Hints to RootsMagic's WebHints feature.

TreeShare for Ancestry will let you move data between your RootsMagic files on your computers and your personal Ancestry online trees. It will also allow you to share and collaborate with others.

Ancestry Hints give you the ability to review hints from within the software and then add new information and media from matching records into your tree.

Learn more from the RootsMagic Blog, and a special page to answer Ancestry questions. There is a link to a demonstration video there too. Remember RootsMagic has a full, pay version and a more limited free version called RootsMagic Essentials. The Essentials version, with the update, will have some of these new capabilities. See the special page to answer Ancestry questions for the details.

The makers of RootsMagic are also having a sale on the full version of RootsMagic until July 31, 2017, for Ancestry members. The download version plus free ebook manual will be just $20 instead of the $44.90 regular price. There are other sale options for receiving the software on CD with and without a printed manual.

In addition, check out Randy Seaver's blog Genea-Musings where he has begun investigating how these new features work. See Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

It is our understanding from some various initial reviews and comments that the RootsMagic syncing works differently than the Family Tree Maker syncing works.

See you soon at Mt Clemens Public Library!
LE

News on RootsMagic Syncing with Ancestry.com Website and Online Trees

This afternoon MCGG Bob McGarry spotted this on the RootsMagic FaceBook page.

RootsMagic has posted to its blog information about its upcoming new features (syncing, etc.) with the Ancestry.com website. The post is titled, "Questions about upcoming Ancestry features? We've got answers!"

As we suspected once the change is made and working with Family Tree Maker, then the other genealogy programs will roll out their new features. RootsMagic expects Ancestry integration to happen by the end of April 2017 for its RootsMagic program. In RootsMagic the syncing feature will be called TreeShare for Ancestry.

Read the Questions and Answers in the RootsMagic blog post, link provided above, to learn more. TreeShare for Ancestry and WebHints will be released in a free update for RootsMagic 7 when it is released. When you the software it will check for updates.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE