Family Tree Maker Alternative?

discoforce · Feb 21, 2006, 11:54 AM

My father-in-law is considering switching to macs, but a deal breaker is whether or not he can continue to use his genealogy information. He's been using Family Tree Maker which is peecee only. I've read that Reunion is a good mac alternative, but will he be able to transfer his data from FTM to Reunion? What if anything would he lose?

Thanks!

Mitthrawnuruodo · Feb 21, 2006, 12:01 PM

Can FTM export gedcom files? If so, you shouldn't really loose anything. Reunion imports those very well, in most cases...

Reunion rules, BTW...

discoforce · Feb 21, 2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitthrawnuruodo

Can FTM export gedcom files? If so, you shouldn't really loose anything. Reunion imports those very well, in most cases...

Reunion rules, BTW...

Don't know what a gedcom is but, checking... Yes! It looks like it can. So sounds like it'll work! Thanks!

Cool, maybe we'll get a new convert

Cleopatra · 02:54 PM

Leister Productions, developer of Reunion have their own forum called Reunion Talk, the developers does often answer questions here. Here can you ask for details about import of gedcom to Reunion from Family Tree Maker.

And I have to agree with Mitthrawnuruodo that Reunion rules.

discoforce · Feb 21, 2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleopatra

Leister Productions, developer of Reunion have their own forum called Reunion Talk, the developers does often answer questions here. Her can you ask for details about import of gedcom to Reunion from Family Tree Maker.

And I have to agree with Mitthrawnuruodo that Reunion rules.

Great, thanks!

MisterMe · Feb 21, 2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discoforce

Don't know what a gedcom is but, checking... Yes! It looks like it can. So sounds like it'll work! Thanks!

Cool, maybe we'll get a new convert

GEDCOM is an acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunication. It is the standard data format for geneology. You can read an introduction to the format here.

JDar · Feb 21, 2006, 02:28 PM

I've done exactly that--imported a gedcom file from FTM into Reunion. I don't think Reunion missed a thing. Whoever decided on the gedcom standard did a good deed.

discoforce · Feb 21, 2006, 02:41 PM

That's great to hear it's fairly easy to transfer info b/w the programs. I think I'll download the Reunion demo and give it a whirl, so I can answer other questions he may have about switching.

Thanks everyone for the help!

macob · Dec 26, 2007, 08:12 AM

I have the same question. I would like to ditch my pc and get an iMac, but have concerns about the 1,600 names I have on Family Tree Maker software, which only has a PC version. Does anyone know if there is a way to convert the info to genealogy software that works on a Mac?

Mitthrawnuruodo · 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macob

I have the same question. I would like to ditch my pc and get an iMac, but have concerns about the 1,600 names I have on Family Tree Maker software, which only has a PC version. Does anyone know if there is a way to convert the info to genealogy software that works on a Mac?

Well, since the OP said that FTM can export GEDCOM files, that would be the best way, I think.

Reunion (at $100) is, IMO, the best genealogy software for the Mac, but there are cheaper alternatives. I've just barely tried MacFamilyTree, which looks kind of nice, but already being a Reunion user didn't like it enough to "switch".

Both Reunion and MacFamilyTree can import and export GEDCOM files quite well.

Cooknn · Dec 26, 2007, 09:42 AM

My kids just got me Mac Family Tree 5 for Christmas. As mentioned above, it's got a GEDCOM Import feature for those of you wanting to switch. I can't wait to dig in

budpam · May 12, 2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooknn

My kids just got me Mac Family Tree 5 for Christmas. As mentioned above, it's got a GEDCOM Import feature for those of you wanting to switch. I can't wait to dig in

Cooknn, have you been successful in importing your GEDCOM data and how do you like Mac Family Tree? Is it easy to use?

...

IJ Reilly · May 12, 2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDar

Whoever decided on the gedcom standard did a good deed.

The LDS (Mormon) Church. Those folks are crazy for genealogy!

Really, if you're a genealogist and haven't been to the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, you are missing one of the wonders of the modern world.

Feb 21, 2006, 11:54 AM	#1
discoforce macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vermont, USA	Family Tree Maker Alternative? My father-in-law is considering switching to macs, but a deal breaker is whether or not he can continue to use his genealogy information. He's been using Family Tree Maker which is peecee only. I've read that Reunion is a good mac alternative, but will he be able to transfer his data from FTM to Reunion? What if anything would he lose? Thanks! __________________ I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by. Douglas Adams 20" iMac C2D, Al MacBook, iPod Touch 2g

Feb 21, 2006, 12:01 PM	#2
Mitthrawnuruodo Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bergen, Norway	Can FTM export gedcom files? If so, you shouldn't really loose anything. Reunion imports those very well, in most cases... Reunion rules, BTW... __________________ Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it; those who fail to learn history correctly... why, they are simply doomed.

Feb 21, 2006, 01:07 PM	#4
Cleopatra macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Norway	Leister Productions, developer of Reunion have their own forum called Reunion Talk, the developers does often answer questions here. Here can you ask for details about import of gedcom to Reunion from Family Tree Maker. And I have to agree with Mitthrawnuruodo that Reunion rules. __________________ Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. - Pablo Picasso Last edited by Cleopatra : Feb 21, 2006 at 02:54 PM.

Feb 21, 2006, 02:41 PM	#8
discoforce Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vermont, USA	That's great to hear it's fairly easy to transfer info b/w the programs. I think I'll download the Reunion demo and give it a whirl, so I can answer other questions he may have about switching. Thanks everyone for the help! __________________ I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by. Douglas Adams 20" iMac C2D, Al MacBook, iPod Touch 2g

Dec 26, 2007, 08:12 AM	#9
macob macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2007	Convert Family Tree Maker to Mac genealogy software I have the same question. I would like to ditch my pc and get an iMac, but have concerns about the 1,600 names I have on Family Tree Maker software, which only has a PC version. Does anyone know if there is a way to convert the info to genealogy software that works on a Mac?

Feb 21, 2006, 02:28 PM	#7
JDar macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2003	I've done exactly that--imported a gedcom file from FTM into Reunion. I don't think Reunion missed a thing. Whoever decided on the gedcom standard did a good deed.

Dec 26, 2007, 09:42 AM	#11
Cooknn macrumors 68020 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fort Myers, FL	My kids just got me Mac Family Tree 5 for Christmas. As mentioned above, it's got a GEDCOM Import feature for those of you wanting to switch. I can't wait to dig in __________________ Dave Cook \| Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHz \| 23-inch Cinema HD Display \| MacBook 2GHz Intel Core Duo

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode