Family Tree Maker has been the stalwart software for
genealogy since the late 1990's. The recent advancements in it's design and
functionality have focused on a tighter integration with Ancestry's website,
making the importation of data more seamless. If you're looking for a home based
software program, then we highly suggest this program.
Top 5 New FTM 2010 Features
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Replacing Source Information
I believe this is alone may make the purchase of FTM 10 worthwhile for many genealogists. With the latest version you now have the ability to replace source information with an existing source... I have in my data a lot of different source citations for what appears to be the same source... I've never found a program which would enable you to replace sources, without also losing the links and media that source referenced. FTM 10 resolves that issue. -
Kinship Report Improvements
Most genealogy programs now enable you to find out how two individuals are related... however, they often choose to only show that relationship in one way. So if you have 2nd cousins in your tree which then marry, the kinship reports only show the marriage... not the fact they were also 2nd cousins. The improved kinship report in FTM 2010 will now show BOTH relationships! -
Spell Check Globally
FamilyTreeMaker 2010 now has updated it's spell checking function to allow spell checking within most fields, including notes. If you type like I do, then this should help improve the quality of data output your family tree has. -
Relationship Calculator Improved
Like the Kinship report above, the relationship calculator in Family Tree Maker now allows you to see multiple relationships. This can get quite interesting! I found that I am not only my own 8th cousin, but also my own 11th cousin three times!!! -
Migration Maps
In the past, using various mapping programs you could show your ancestors migratory patterns. FTM has incorporated that feature into Family Tree Maker 2010 by enabling you to show the migratory pattern of 1 ancestor, a family, or a group of ancestors. If you have an ancestry tree that liked to move about, then you will find this tool invaluable.