FTM2019 Owners: 3-Day Pre-Order Sale for Upgrade to Family Tree Maker 2024

For members and readers who use Family Tree Maker software.

This past weekend genealogists who follow some genealogists on various socials like Twitter (yes, X) and various blogs may have been scratching theirs heads and checking their email spam folders wondering why didn't I get notified. A few of these social genealogists had mentions of a pre-order sale for Family Tree Maker 2024. But most FTM users know that such announcements are made via Software MacKiev's FTM newsletter mailing list which due to its extremely large size is sent out in a staggered release.

Rest easy if you didn't get that newsletter email version, the prior announcement was likely real but targeted towards FTM users on the email newsletter who are either registered as owning prior/older versions of FTM or as not owning FTM. Thus, the only okay pre-order price of $49.95 seen in those mentions.

For owners of Family Tree Maker 2019, the FTM newsletter email has gone out. (LE received it today. If you have not received yours, don't worry it is likely still going out in batches.) For the next three days, there is pre-order pricing for owners of FTM2019 of just $29.95 for Family Tree Maker 2024 when it is released. We are guessing this sale runs from today, Wed., Feb. 14, through Fri., Feb. 16. But it may be staggered based on when the newsletter is received. This $29.95 pricing is for the download only version.

LE Note: This pricing is similar to the first pre-order pricing offer when FTM2017 was upgraded to FTM2019 years ago, later pre-order offers were not as good.

But remember! If you just upgraded to FTM2019 at the very end of 2023/beginning of 2024 you already get the next new version that comes out in the next two years. So, you can ignore the pre-order of this next version (because you get it free) but you can check out the other items in the FTM store, some of which are on sale too. (Just be sure to double-check/remove the app purchase from your cart since you already have it. Some items have the same sale price but some don't through the main FTM Store Gift Collection.)

Currently, FTM2019 is the only version that can sync a FTM tree file with an Ancestry member online tree. A fix was said to be in the works for Family Tree Maker 2017 to sync again also but it has not happened yet and that software is 6/7 years old. We've no news if this is still the plan or not. With FTM2019 being 4/5 years old we guessed in one of our prior posts (just us guessing) that a new version may be in the works considering the brand will be celebrating 35 years in 2024.

This FTM2024 version will add a Collaborate workspace that works with the FTM Connect mobile app for Apple and Android. Your relative/collaborators can add a Relative Hint™ sticky note to the tree. This feature utilizes the TreeVault® option of FTM. Guest Access will be added to FTM Connect also via TreeVault®.

AlbumWALK® is a free mobile app for IOS and Android devices that allows anyone to record memories and embed them in a photo with its tap-talk technology to create interactive talking photos. Tap the next and talk and so on. And when you're finished, AlbumWALK creates a mini-documentary with professionally scored background music that can be played back in the media center of FTM 2024. To move album files to your tree, AlbumWALK relies on TreeVault, which on the way to your media collection, also puts an up-to-the-minute backup of all your AlbumWALK photos and albums in the TreeVault cloud. Once in Family Tree Maker, the talking picture files can be viewed in a built-in AlbumWALK player.

Another new feature is Easy on the Eyes.™ One of the most frequent requests Software MacKiev got is "Can't you do something for my poor tired eyes?" Well, Easy on the Eyes does just one thing. It enlarges areas of the People workspace while you are working in them and then puts them back to normal size.

FTM2024 will expand the tools on hand to rescue old family photos with the Photo Darkroom. They include cropping and a range of new repair tools that will help remove dust and scratches. And, as with the first set of Photo Darkroom tools, the original photograph is always saved unchanged.

Also, new in FTM2024 is a Resource Center. Software MacKiev says, "Resources of all kinds to help you with your research. Connect with a professional to take your research to the next level, or a mentor to help you get started. Find the nearest Family Tree Maker user group, or get everything you need to start one. Check out our tour calendar for visiting societies, or request we swing by the next time we're in your part of the world. Sign up for free webinars. And, oh yes, get discounts we've been busy negotiating for you."

In addition, the Co-Pilot program started with FTM2017 has been expanded for FTM2024 to continue to help new users get off to a good start. According to MacKiev, it is "greatly expanded to include the growing number of mobile apps that now make up the Family Tree Maker ecosystem. Here's how it works. Two days after your first launch of FTM 2024, we'll offer a brief diagnostic test that can tell us if you've had a great flight, or if there are some things we can start to address with you right away. You'll be offered help if you want it with getting TreeVault set up. With making your first Connect Workspace mailing to relatives. And with creating your first AlbumWALK page. It's free, fast and completely optional."

No information was released on the minimum system requirements for either the Windows or Mac version of FTM2024. When we spot it we will let you know.

The new collaboration features or other tools may not sway everyone to pre-order FTM2024. But consider this, the two latest versions of FTM will be five and seven years old this year. As new upgrades are released, less likely are updates to the older software versions. Why pay twice as much later when you can pay less now? You don't have actually upgrade your tree files right away, but have it on hand when you need or decide to do it.

Computers and their operating systems are being built to last five years or so with updates. But eventually hardware limitations eventually negate updating. Gone are the days of safely running old software on old computers unless you never take that computer on the internet. But if you are running that way, can you even transfer your very important files to someone with a more modern computer?

See you at our favorite library.
LE