Online Family Tree and Info Storage Programs

Greatly aids organization of genealogical data, related information, documents and images. Programs can provide useful ways to visualize progress, show relationships, display pedigree, etc. Plus, they can facilitate report generation.

Dominant online programs include:

• • Ancestry.com in the US.

  • Family Search (based out of UT) . 

  • Family Tree Maker (FTM) in the US (can synchronize data with Ancestry), facilitates charts, can calculate relationships, and ability to review names/places.

  • Geni – separate from, yet now owned by MyHeritage.

  • MyHeritage – heard it’s dominant in Norway.

The type of computer operating system you use could impact your selection (i.e., Windows vs MAC vs Chrome vs Linux).  Check for compatibility. There are also special computer programs available which enable family tree content to be transferred to other websites; i.e., GEDCOMs. See: https://www.gedcom.org/ 

There are others family tree programs. Find one which suits you and your budget. 

• • Best Genealogy Software https://www.genealogyexplained.com/best-genealogy-software/ [July 2023]

  • Best genealogy tool for 2024 https://www.techradar.com/best/genealogy-tools  [2023]

  • The Best Genealogy Software and Services https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-genealogy-software-and-services [2015]

Buyer beware --- no program can prevent the use or propagation of erroneous / ridiculous data. Stay alert!