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Archiver > APG > 2002-11 > 1036502658


From: "Nancy Coleman" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Genealogy programs
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 08:24:18 -0500
References: <4.3.2.7.2.20021104131455.00b7e100@mail.attbi.com> <4.3.2.7.2.20021104161935.00b75b70@mail.attbi.com>


Dear Patricia:
Well, I'll chime in because I've already confessed. I use
Family Tree Maker and have for years. I just installed FTM
10 and have had no problems so far.

I too have had some conversion problems with upgrades (only
one disaster though) in the past but by and large it's user
friendly. As I said before and the main thing is: My
clients all use it. I think I've only had one client who
used another program (Brother's Keeper or some name like
that?) and that was many years ago.

One thing I like about it (besides it ease of use between me
and my clients) is that I can use it as a tool to get them
organized and thinking right away about what their goals are
with a particular project. It's so easy for them to use
that they can see themselves where we need to begin work (or
fill in gaps where the information is skimpy or the sources
are less than reliable). This makes approval of my research
plans go a little quicker. :)

In the beginning I try to keep them away from the more
formal report formats and have them concentrate on the
skeleton of a particular family group. I discourage them
from filling it up with all of the family stories right
away. That can wait. As we begin to do the research, it's
easy for them to keep up and begin to fill in the details of
documents, source citings, historical quotes, scanning
pictures, maps, wills, newspaper articles, etc. As it
grows, they become an intelligent part of the process in
setting new goals as we finish one particular research
block/plan or another. They can see the gaps and
unsubstantiated areas and they then discuss these things
with me.

Then the family stories usually make a bit more sense and
they can fill in areas where they pertain. When they
finally get to the more detailed reports, they then say
"Wow, we've really come a long way!" And, they have it all
organized, with sources cited, stories included, etc.

Then they have all the bells and whistles to play with to
print their trees, books, etc. In the end, this is what
they've wanted all along. A way to pass their material
along to other family members in a format that is ready for
the coffee table. They have never planned to publish in a
trade journal. They do know the importance of including the
(source) details so that someone else can carry on their
work, and this program can do that for them as well.

I'm lucky. Most of my clients are pretty good researchers
in their own right. Some may not be too computer savvy, but
when they use this program it does give them the confidence
to continue using the computer for their work. Many have
years of accumulated material that they are physically
unable to organize any other way. It gets to be too
overwhelming for them. So, this program is a win-win
situation. They not only get the proper research done, they
end up with a presentable product in the end as well.

So, I usually try to keep in mind what my clients' ultimate
goals are. Nine times out of ten it is to present the
materials to their own family, not to publish. So in almost
every case, FTM fits the bill nicely.

Best regards. Nancy.



Nancy Coleman

http://www.genealogyPro.com/ncoleman.html

----- Original Message -----
From: "P. SummersSmith" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 7:35 PM
Subject: RE: [APG] Genealogy programs


> At 06:18 PM 11/4/02 -0600, Pat Stamm wrote:
> >This is one of those sticky issues. Everyone has their
favorites, in food,
> >in cars, and in genealogical programs. :)
> >
> >And over the course of the years, genealogical programs
come and go. So it
> >comes down to what do you personally want in a program?
>
> Yes, I understand that. I've tried out a lot of programs
myself over the
> years.
>
> Okay, I'll remove two questions from my post. Forget I
asked the question
> about which, if any, program(s) meet standards...or which
comes the closest
> before you commit to a word processing file. I thought it
was a simple
> question, but nobody seems to want to answer that, so
maybe it's not as
> simple a question as I thought it was.
>
> The only question I'm asking then is, "Which program do
you personally
> use?" And if you're not comfortable sharing that on a
public list, please
> respond privately. I'm not taking a survey or anything
like that. I'm
> just wanting to know which program(s) pros are using. Is
TMG the only one?
>
> Patricia SummersSmith
>
>
> ==== APG Mailing List ====
> The Association of Professional Genealogists
> http://www.apgen.org/publications/apg-l/index.html
>

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