Family tree software: Features explained
The basics
Genealogy software programs and websites work as clever filing systems, with separate entries for all known individuals - from newborn babies to centuries-old ancestors.
Programs help you link these entries together to form your family tree, and then share and present it in different ways. Increasingly, genealogy software and websites help you to research
Many programs let you add photos to your tree
as well as organise your family tree.
Creating a tree
Essentially, you create your tree by typing the details of your ancestor into the program (name, year of birth and death, say) and their relationship to others on the tree. Many programs give you the opportunity to add notes, pictures and even audio and video clips to accompany each entry.
Types of chart
The basic format for organising your tree is a drop-line chart which has ancestors at the top branching down to present day family at the bottom. The alternative pedigree tree chart branches out from a present day relative from left to right. Some packages let you create a family book report bringing together charts and narrative reports.
Web-based research tools
Genealogy websites generally offer access to census information and Births, Marriages and Deaths (BMD) records. They may hold military, migration and parish records. Software packages may offer a free subscription to a particular genealogy website for a certain period or they may give you free credits which you can use to view records on a pay-as-you-go basis.
GEDCOM files
A GEDCOM file is a common genealogy file format used for transferring family trees between genealogy programs. You may need to create a GEDCOM file using an ‘Export’ tool in the software program. You can then transfer to another program using an ‘Import’ tool.
PDF files
Some software lets you create a PDF file of your family tree. The PDF format is common in the publishing industry so you can take this to a professional printer to print out – and PDF files can be shared between computers and remain visually intact.