I helped with the Beta on this one, and one thing I think should be stressed in the info is = = how accurate your “place” info has to be to make the maps turn out right. The town, county, state, and country = all have to be entered correctly or the maps will not be correct.

Michelle not a question but a suggestion, can you ask please if they can update their FTM 2009 shop site to include ‘view charts’. I would like to see some examples of the new charts e.g. the family tree chart. I liked watching the tutorial on line, it showed where new items were added to the publish section.

Is there a way to batch print Family Group Sheets instead of one at a time? ie. Ancestors of Joe Smith or Decendents of Joe Smith.

When are registered users of FTM ‘08 going to receive their 2009 upgrade email ??

Why does the data shown in the “Possible Matches” sometimes change in the “Web Merge Wizard”? Example the birth date may show ‘Jan 1 1880 Boone, West Virginia, USA’ but when you click merge the “Web Merge Wizard” info for the same will show just ‘1880′.

I ran the “Find Duplicate Individual” option and after 8 hours I went to bed. The next morning it was done. Something needs to be done to speed this option up. I have a database of over 104,000 names

Is there a way to batch delete a Family Group. In previous versions you could create a outline decedent sheet and then delete the individuals in the tree as a whole. But I haven’t found that option in 2008 or 2009.

You need hold off on this webinar until we all get the 2009 upgrade, at least.

Hello Michelle,

Congratulations! You you’all are winners! Can you pass the news on to Mike Ward and all the blog team?

The great and wonderful Wizard of Oz has just awarded you your heart’s desire! No… Wait… There’s a man behind the curtain…

Fudge! It’s just the Ancestry Insider giving you an “I *Heart* Your Blog” award. He’s a nobody, but he does read your blog, pert’ near everyday, and published a link to it in his latest article.

But at least you get to display a cute graphic on your website and drive traffic to the Ancestry Insider’s website by linking the award to him. And if you act now, the Ancestry Insider will throw in seven years of bad luck repellent! Simply forward this chain-letter award on to seven more bloggers. Otherwise all your readers will lose your address, forget you ever existed and park in your parking place at work. For complete contest rules, visit http://ancestryinsider.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-heart-your-blog-award.html

With all my *heart*,

– The Ancestry Insider

Is the 2009 update coming by mail? I followed the link provided and gave the info. But that has been over a week. Is this free update being mailed?

There are still many errors in the reports being generated by FTM 2009. I am not talking about report format issues, but about the software developers using the wrong algorithm to devise a report output resulting in the software to generate the being incorrectly written and finally resulting in a report that is incorrect and cannot be used. All these wrong reports (and there are many of them) need to be identified and the errors in the reports need to be specifically identified and then the webinar needs to discuss the process that will be gone through to fix the errors. As it stands now many of the report outputs from FTM 2009 cannot be used because they are in error

I have a tree I published on the Genealogy user pages through the old FTM “publish” functionality. Since I upgraded to FTM 2008 this webpage is left without chance to update it.
Will this link be re-established?
Or, if I publish on the Ancestry users web pages like the new FTM allows, will I get the same kind of page?

HOW DO I GET ADDRESS’S OR PHONE NUMBERS FOR FOUND FAMILY MEMBERS?

Michelle

See Item 10 above discussing the errors generated in reports from FTM 2009

Below is just one example of the incorrect reports being generated by FTM 2009

In order to show this error I created a very small file/tree for just one person.

I named this person John Quincy Smith and entered that name as the preferred name in FTM 2006

I then entered an alternate name for John Quincy Smith, and called this alternate name “John Smith”

I then created and documented a Source for the preferred name and called it Source Number One.

I then created and documented a Source for the alternate Name and called it Source Number Two

I then generated a descendant report of John Quincy Smith from FTM 2006 [This report I shown below as Report 1 and labeled as being generated by FTM 2006]

I then exported the FTM 2006 file to a file folder and then imported the file into FTM 2009

I then generated a family group sheet report from FTM 2009 for John Quincy Smith [This report I shown below as Report 2 and labeled as being generated by FTM 2009] The option I chose for this report was to uncheck the box that indicates to include only preferred facts, in other words to have the report show both preferred and non preferred facts. I also indicated that I wanted the report to include sources

The report generated by FTM 2006 is correct and you can see:
The preferred name is listed on the report as ”John Quincy Smith” and correctly referenced in the endnotes as 1. Source Number One ——“John Quincy Smith”

The alternate name is listed on the report as Name 2: ”John Smith” and correctly referenced in the endnotes as 2. Source Number Two ——-“John Smith”

The report generated by FTM 2009 is INCORRECT and you can see:

The preferred name is listed first on the report as “John Quincy Smith” and referenced in the Sources as “2 - Source Number One ——“John Quincy Smith” [NOTE: THIS LISTING AND REFERENCE IS CORRECT ]

The alternate name is listed secondly on the report as ”John Quincy Smith” and referenced in the Sources as “2 - Source Number One —— “John Smith” [NOTE: THIS LISTING/SPELLING OF THE NAME AS JOHN QUINCY SMITH IS INCORRECT (and is the result of a software error) AND THE SPELLING OF THE ALTERNATE NAME IN THE REFERENCE AS JOHN SMITH IS CORRECT ]

As indicated above the error occurs in the second listing of the name on the report. The name should be shown as John Smith [ just as it is shown in the source reference and NOT “John Quincy Smith” Also, as indicated above the error results from a software/programming error

This error may seem inconsequential and trivial but it is not. The example shown above has only one alternate name. If you think about all the different spellings you have for a person in your data base and all the effort you have gone to correctly document and source those alternative spellings you will quickly see that it is not trivial. Also think about all the names you have in your data base (I have over 30,000) and for everyone of those names where you have listed and referenced an alternate name the report is wrong. However, the report is not only wrong it is unusable [because it is wrong] and if anybody is generating this report from FTM 2009 they need to be cognizant of the fact that the report is wrong.

Also, as indicated in item 10 above this is not the only report with errors. There are many other reports that have errors, making the reports incorrect and unusable

——————————————————————————————————————

1 - DESCENDANT REPORT OF JOHN QUINCY SMITH FROM FTM 2006

Descendants of John Quincy Smith

Generation No. 1

1. John Quincy Smith1.

More About John Quincy Smith:
Name 2: John Smith2

Endnotes

1. Source Number One, shows John Quincy Smith’s name spelled as “John Quincy Smith”.
2. Source Number Two, shows John Quincy Smith’s name spelled as “John Smith”.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————

2 - FAMILY GROUP SHEET REPORT OF JOHN QUINCY SMITH FROM FTM 2009

Family Group Sheet for John Quincy Smith

Husband: John Quincy Smith
Name: John Quincy Smith[2]
Gender: John Quincy Smith[1]
Male

Sources

1 Source Number Two. shows John Quincy Smith’s name spelled as “John Smith”.

2 Source Number One. shows John Quincy Smith’s name spelled as “John Quincy Smith”.

Oops I made an error in number 13

Number 13 shows the following:

The alternate name is listed secondly on the report as ”John Quincy Smith” and referenced in the Sources as “2 - Source Number One

It should have read as follows:

The alternate name is listed secondly on the report as ”John Quincy Smith” and referenced in the Sources as “1 - Source Number Two

Will the webinar focus on new features in FTM09 at present, or will it discuss upcoming enhancements? If the former, I’d like an overview of source citations. I’d like to see the quickest/recommended workflow for adding and linking sources to facts. If the latter, I’m extremely interested to learn about planned changes to the relationship calculator. Thanks!

Is there upgrade pricing at all for previous versions of FTM? I avoided the 2008 version because of its issues. I have FTM 16. Thanks.

I tried 2009 and I seem to have hit a slamm problem, the little green leaves are nearly everywhere, those are the ‘hint’ flags.

On those that I clicked on seem to exist in my database already, like census records that I already have.

I need to do a little more research but it is very irritating to have the software give you hints for records / information you already have in the tree.

Anyone else seen this?

TonyC

In previous post - for slamm read small - where are the spell checkers when you want one?

TonyC

Should older versions of FTM be uninstalled prior to installation of FTM2009? Will the directory containing the family tree files be deleted during un-installation?

Will there ever be any visibility/accountability by TGN to catalog and share the reported bugs and enhancement requests by various users? I have spent >100 hours beta testing and submitted ~a dozen bugs and ~two-three dozen enhancements. However, I never once got an acknowledgement that what I sent was received; let alone catalogued and posted so duplicates are not sent in.

Once again poor communication from TGN continues.

I also agree with comment #8; wait until we get it.

Larry #19

I’m still running version 16 and 2009 on the same PC, but I can’t comment on 2008 and 2009 on the same machine.

TonyC

Thanks for asking. But I agree / vote for #20 - having a TGN based & published list of known errors / enhancement, and I’ll add - include a priority of when TGN plans to rectify, would be much appreciated. And maybe if TGN does WE all agree NOT to beat up TGN for slipping the dates (as long as TGN let us know they are slipping).

Additionally I agree / vote for #11. But more specific, PLEASE support the old site with the new s/w and add new features to it.

And further request when the BOOK feature will be available (see above & #20!!!)? Not the Ancestry Press version, but supporting the 2006 program version, again in the new s/w and add new features.

And last, but not least, when will the outstanding reports, etc. be available? And if you want to know which ones, just run the old program, list the reports, charts, diagrams and etc, and do the same for 2009 and ANY and ALL missing ones - ADD!

Thanks for having this blog, asking the questions, offering the free upgrade, and most importantly continuing with the program.

Regards,
Larry
2008SP24 08:20 Sydney

If FTM 2009 is able to map the migration path of members in the Family Tree does this mean that the Residence fact no longer has a preferred setting? If not would it be possible to allow so method to show more than the preferred Residence in reports?

Two questions:
Would like to know if FTM 2009 will integrate with Ancestry Trees so I can make updates and upload to ancestry tree…esp. can I download the attached census records and pictures I have attached in ancestry trees to FTM 2009?

2nd…Haven’t received FTM2009 yet, ordered on the 16th.

What I would really like to see is Ancestry Press in a software disk program for mac or windows like other scrapbook making programs/disks you can buy. Then I could work offline - sometimes the speed online is slow; plus I then don’t feel rushed to finish my project - I can work on it at my leisure. When done, I could then upload the pages to have them published in a book - any possibility of this? Thanks!

Re #22:
“And last, but not least, when will the outstanding reports, etc. be available? And if you want to know which ones, just run the old program, list the reports, charts, diagrams and etc, and do the same for 2009 and ANY and ALL missing ones - ADD!”

I’d like an answer to a more basic question: Does TGN ever intend to do a proper application analysis of where and how each field in the old database was used? It’s not good enough to just make a list of reports and cross them off as new, less functional reports are added that happen to have the same name. Users don’t need reports with the same name, they need all the function (and more) that they had in the old reports.

To take just one example: the “active” charts in FTM16 and earlier are much more usable than the FTM2008 versions — no matter what they are called.

is there a free upgrade for 2009 version I have recieved any corrospondence concerning this

I actually have a question, not a comment.
How do I take the information from FTM2006 and convert it to 2008?

Ancestry is a very good research tool, but could you change the command, or statement “bad request(invalid verb)”. It happens when you input the data yourself, or when one of the links on the screen. There should information indicating what a “bad request (invalid verb)” is, and how to properly input the correct data, to receive the right output data. This happens quite frequently, when I type in Benjamin Franklin Hansberry, Vivian Glaskins, Elsie Jones, Genevieve Virginia King, and Christopher Columbus Hansberry.

Otherwise, this is the only problem that I am having

Thanks.

Larry #19

I have FTM 16 , FTM 2008 & FTM 2009 all running on the same machine. Mainly because at the moment I am unable to import to FTM 2009 directly (as it fails) and have to import via from FTM 16 to FTM 2008 first.

I just bought FTM 2008 in May (or thereabouts) And have been frustrated with the search among other things. What is the deal about FTM 2009 - is there going to be a n upgrade and if so, when will I get information about it. I tried to apply the SP3 path last night in an attempt to improve on line searching (in fact to enable on-line searching) but now it is so slow I might as well not bother. Should I just give up and try something else?

Dear Michelle, I bought FTM2008 from Ancestry shop(received from USA
28 August 2007) but due to problems registering did not get it registered until late August 2008. I am in Australia and have not received any notice about free FTM2009. Might I still get an email about it or do I now have to buy a copy? Thank you Eleanore Reichel

Thank you Eleanore Reichel

COMMENT ON ITEM 21

21 Written by:
Tony Cousins

Posted on:
September 23, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Larry #19

I’m still running version 16 and 2009 on the same PC, but I can’t comment on 2008 and 2009 on the same machine.

TonyC

I WOULD BE CAREFUL RUNNING BOTH 2009 AND 2008 ON THE SAME MACHINE. I DID NOT REMOVE 2008 FROM MY MACHINE WHEN I INSTALLED 2009 AND YESTERDAY I CLICKED ON MY SHORTCUT FOR 2009 AND 2008 CAME UP —–TO ME IT REALLY MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF IT COMES UP SINCE I AM ONLY TESTING 2009 ANYWAY [ ALL MY DATA BASE IS IN 2006 AND I MAKE ALL MY ADDITIONS/FIXES ETC IN 2006]

I ALSO HAVE 2006 ON THE SAME MACHINE WITH 2008 AND 2009 AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS —–I HAVE RAN 2006 AND 2009 SIMULTANEOUSLY (ONE ON ONE SCREEN OF MY COMPUTER AND ONE ON THE OTHER SCREEN AND IT WORKS GREAT] I CAN LOOK BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO SCREENS CHECKING FOR ERRORS/FIXES ETC. I USE THIS METHODOLOGY A LOT. FOR EXAMPLE, 2009 IS GOOD FOR FINDING ERRORS. WHEN I FIND AN ERROR I CAN IMMEDIATELY GO TO FTM 2006 AND CORRECT MY DATA BASE IN 2006

Are there any plans to release a MAC version of the software? Those of us who use Macs would like to be able to use the software too.

After downloading the new Family Tree Maker 2009, can I delete the FMT 2008 icons and information without causing a problem with the family trees which transferred over to the 2009 version?

I’d like to be able to handle unlinked sources (from many file merges) in an efficient manner. I can delete them individually but it takes for ever as there are 100’s of them. Many have the same titles.

Also… Merge 2009 files but keep the image folders separate.

Regards,

In 2009, is there a way to sort the index beyond Family name, Given name when the given names are all the same? For example; If I have 30 John Doe in my index, and all have different Dates of birth, how do I get the various John Doe’s to sort Family name, than Given name, than Date of birth? As it is now, all the John Doe’s are all together in the index, but the dates of birth are all hodge-podge, which makes it difficult and time consuming to find the one I need. V16 does this, but I did not see it in 2008, nor do I see it in 2009.

Are there any plans to include in FTM 2009 the exact same reports that are in FTM V16. This is one of many reason I still use V16.

I like the idea of having more the one prefence for a given field. Perhaps you could have a preference order (such P1 for 1st residence, P2 for 2nd residence, etc). The same for a field such as occupation. I don’t know about the 2009 version (waiting for it to arrive), but I didn’t like in previous versions that you either showed all of your fields on reports or only the preferred fields (because I really wanted to show the residence history).

It would be really nice to be able to get FTM 2009 BEFORE a webinar is held. A week ago I called to find out about the status of the email being sent to FTM 2008 users, only to be told that it should be arriving any day. Still waiting….What gives? A postcard sent through the U.S. Postal service would have arrived faster than this “supposed” email.

Before you ask, I am a registered (several times in fact) user of FTM 2008 in the U.S. I was even a beta tester of FTM 2009. God, how difficult can it be to send out an email? Sorry, but I get irritated when people don’t follow through on committments.

I agree with the comments about the reports. The reports still look unfinished and I don’t see any way to designate which photo should be used where.

Are we ever going to get what we had in FTM16? Don’t tell me about the fancy addons; tell me when we’ll be able stop using FTM16. I’m not going to maintain two different FTM databases.

FTM 2009 is an improvement over FTM 2008 and there are some nice features that could be considered an “upgrade” type features. I’d really like to use them.

Unfortunately, the improvements get offset by the fact that FTM 2009 is still lacking some of the offline publishing capabilities of pre-FTM 2008 versions. TGN is a bit closer with the offline publishing capabilities but quite frankly, Legacy is superior. What is the plan?

Another issue is that after many years with FTM, I switched to Legacy 7 Deluxe this year. The supposed Legacy import contains so many problems, it would take months to reconcile and correct problems. The Gedcom import is better but I have concerns there too. Guess I’ll have to stick with Legacy. When will the Legacy import issues be resolved?

Well the 2009 update arrived today, I installed it with zero problems in about 20-minutes, and 20-minutes later removed it from my computer and have thrown the CD in the drawer with your 2008 version. I am probably the only person in the world that demands simplicity and you continue to push forward on a very memory intensive, complicated cumbersome program, that is dumbed down and tries to tie up my entire computer. I simply refuse to use any version that does not meet my needs, so I continue to use version 2006 and will probably not upgrade on any newer versions as it appears you have decided on your direction. Sorry, but efforts fall far short of my expectations.

I recently upgraded my computer, and am running Internet Explorer 7.0 with Windows XP. I had a new hard drive installed and when I attempt to load Family Tree Maker I cannot execute it.

Any thoughts why this is occurring?

Thanks.

Re. #44 - Dan - If it’s so bad perhaps you should return the disc for a refund! Ancestry give you 21 days to return if you are not happy with the product (if you read the small print on your order confirmation).

When will I be able to use FTM on my Mac OS X system ??

I would like to receive my FTM 2009 before seeing the webinar. I ordered it on 9/16/2008 and got a confirmation, but no other e-mails. I e-mailed support this morning regarding the status.
I agrre with Darlene about the “off line” book idea.

You can use FTM on your Mac OS now — just get Parallels or Fusion.

Why though, would you want to do that? There are perfectly good genealogy programs for the Mac that do everything FTM does and more — and do it more reliably.

Dick Eastman reviewed Mac programs earlier this month. See http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/09/genealogy-progr.html

I just received my copy of FTM2009 & installed it. The first thing I tried to do was to create a Register Report, starting with my Great Great Grandfather. I had the same problem that I have had with 2008–the report spends time “generating” & then gives me nothing!! If I try to create one starting with my mother, it works. I need it to do 16 generations & I’m sure I’m not the only one that requires this. What’s up??

I asked this question before for the Summary or 2008. I would like to be more in control of being creative while in the publishing area. I would also like to be able to go into FTM open up a book area and let my creativeness go wild. I do not like that I have to take my information on line to get this.

Yes I have other programs but I want to stay in one program making sure things fit… I want to load my own backgrounds. Put my own lines in where I want them. I want to create my own trees and allow them to branch off where I want them. I want to add clip art where I want it.

Other users should be able to upload their black creations for others to us. I should be able to go to ancestry and get all kinds of layouts and templates. Everything is so limited. Here I thought we would get a lot of charts and it’s only a few. I should be able to spend time in that area and decide what I want without looking at the same ones all the time.

That’s what I am wanting in FTM.
Annette

MICHELLE

SEE

50 Written by:
Ruth

Posted on:
September 26, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I just received my copy of FTM2009 & installed it. The first thing I tried to do was to create a Register Report, starting with my Great Great Grandfather. I had the same problem that I have had with 2008–the report spends time “generating” & then gives me nothing!! If I try to create one starting with my mother, it works. I need it to do 16 generations & I’m sure I’m not the only one that requires this. What’s up??

MICHELLE

THIS PROBLEM IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ON MY LIST OF PROBLEMS THAT I TALK ABOUT IN ITEMS 11 AND 13

THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN BOTH REGISTER REPORTS AND AHNTAFEL [SP?] AND OCURRED ALSO IN FTM 2008.

THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN YOU TRY TO GENERATE A REPORT FOR WHICH YOU HAVE A LOT OF DATA THAT IS TO BE GENERATED BY THE REPORT.

A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF DATA SAY 2-4 GENERATIONS APPEARS NOT TO CAUSE A LOT OF PROBLEMS, BUT WHEN YOU TRY TO GENERATE LARGER AND LARGER REPORTS THE SOFTWARE RUNS FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THEN JUST STOPS AND NO REPORT IS GENERATED.

IF YOU BRING UP THE “WINDOWS TASK MANAGER” ON YOUR SCREEN WHILE YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO RUN ONE OF THESE LARGE REPORTS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE “TOTAL PHYSICAL MEMORY OF YOUR MACHINE DECREASE UNTIL THERE IS BASICALLY NO MORE MEMORY AVAILABLE TO GENERATE THE REPORT AND IF YOU TRY TO OVERCOME THIS BY CHANGING YOUR SO CALLED “COMMIT CHARGE/PAGE FILE USAGE” IT IS ALL FOR NAUGHT. THE PROGRAM GOES ON AN ON AND THEN JUST STOPS. IT APPEARS TO KEEP TRYING TO SWAP ITS TASKS OUT TO THE HARD DISK AND THEN JUST CAN’T HANDLE IT ANY MORE AND JUST STOPS.

A SIMPLE WAY OF SAYING THIS IS THE SOFTARE TO GENERATE THESE REPORTS IS VERY VERY INEFFICIENT. TRY IT IN FTM 2009 AND THEN TRY IT FOR FTM 2006 AND YOU WILL SEE THAT YOU CAN GENERATE THESE REPORTS IN FTM 2006 IN JUST A FEW SECONDS/MINUTES BUT IN FTM 2009 THE SAME REPORT WILL RUN FOR OVER 20 MINUTES AND THEN JUST STOP

I HAVE SPENT OVER 40 HOURS TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW TO GENERATE THESE REPORTS WITHOUT MUCH SUCCESS

I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GENERATE A REGISTER REPORT OF SAY 12 GENERATIONS WHEN I TRY TO INCLUDE BOTH PREFERRED AND NON PREFERRED FACTS

IF I TRY TO RUN THE REGISTER REPORT FOR JUST 12 GENERATIONS FOR JUST PREFERRED FACTS I DO GET AN OUTPUT

IF I TRY TO RUN THE AHNTAFEL REPORTS FOR 12 GENERATIONS FOR BOTH PREFERRED AND NON PREFERRED FACTS IT WON’T RUN.

ENOUGH SAID —–THE PROBLEM IS BASICALLY THE PROGRAMS TO RUN THESE REPORTS ARE VERY INEFFICIENT AND THE MORE DATA YOU ATTEMPT TO INCLUDE IN THE REPORTS THEY GET SLOWER AND SLOWER AND THEN THEY FINALLY REACH THE STAGE WHERE THEY WON’T RUN AT ALL

SO RUTH IS CORRECT IN HER FINDINGS AND I AGREE WITH HER

I would like to print the time line. I really like this but you can’t.

Is there a way to order source records?

Why did the “ignores” for “Places” not import between 2008 and 2009?

Will the future updates to 2009 include:

* The ability to order source records associated with a person and/or fact (if not already possible)

* Will it include the ability to recognize the usage of “Twp.” “Co.” etc. in “Places” – to eliminate the need to go into “Resolve Place Names” and select “Ignore.” I previously spent a lot of time making certain all of these added terms were included in the different “places” in my family tree (because I find this information to be informative).

“Filter” would be a good webinar topic; many users are unaware of its existence or possibilities.

I’m disappointed to see that the CSV output remains dysfunctional. What is the point of generating a CSV file that cannot be used as input in any kind of standardized application?

This is another example of saying that the program “supports” something that is there in name only.

Hi, I’m from the UK, and have just received my free FTM 2009 upgrade, exactly a week after placing my order on the special order page, having rung Ancestry UK for the code.

Thank you. It installed and copied files over from 2008 with no problems.

Hope the wait was worth it! Cheers.

In reply to ‘53 Annette’.
If you are running Windows Vista then you already have a tool in the operating system that will help you.
Go to-START-All Programs-Accessories-Snipping tool- and follow the instructions. This lets you Snip any screen from the YFT program and either save or print.

Hope you have luck

Ian S

I can’t find an uninstall program for 2008. How can it be uninstalled?

Version 2009

Please remove the INCLUDE MEDIA FILES check box from the backup creator. All it does is include files into the media folder that we specifically have excluded from that folder.

Why in the world would anyone want to do that?

When working in the sources window, if you want to link to existing media, the media is NOT sorted. You have to look at each file to find the one you want.

Hi Michelle. Just received 2009. Due to the many place/description problems from 2005 and also to the amount of heresay contained in my previous work, I have decided to use my old files only as a reference, but start 2009 from scratch, i.e. not import any previous work. (I only had about 1400 names, many without a lot of detail). Therefore, I am seeking more advice on the pluses and minuses of various options, not just “how-to.” For instance, I can scan documents as a pdf or a jpg. Are there plusses and minuses? Also, what about linkage to media vs copies? I know how to do it, but would love a source for advice on choices like these.

Having now received and installed my copy of 2009, I am disappointed to find that the reports are back to the same quality as the 2008 was when first released.

You can only run reports with one fact in it - Name. Also you still have no ability to give each separate fact in a box to have a different text colour.

How frustrating to have a report feature that has reverted back.

What webinar??? Did I miss another email?
Course I don’t have 2009 yet.

Why isn’t an Outline Descendant Report listed with the reports? I use it extensively and don’t know how to view it.

Joy

The Outline report is in with the other report and charts the Publish area.

It was substantially improved with the SP3 patch which took it up to similar capability in FTM 16

John D

Peter # 61
Not so

Have a closer look at the RH panel in the Publish area under items to include.

Also look at the box and border box

You will in fact discover that you can do far more in FTM 2009/9 than you could in FTM 16

Marked boxes and saving templates are but two examples

Can I suggest that you have a look at this link

http://www.familytreemaker.com/Support/Tutorial2009/Tutorial2009.aspx

John D

Mitch #58

Control Panel>Add and Remove programs (XP) or what ever its equivalent is in Vista

John D

Is there any way of moving the placemarks on the maps in order to put them onto teh exact street relating to the person in the tree. (Assuming of course the street is still there!!)

FTM2009 - need help if possible on 3 items, that have bugged me:
1) Ability to edit the “Places” database, as it reflects presents day names and associations, not time accurate places and associations (like you can with TMG)
2) Ability to use custom chart templates (my biggest hang up with all such programs)
3) change the search habits, permanently, of the hint finder, as I try to steer away from OWT, too many bad entries.

I will say, the interface (GUI) is prettier than most, but I’d like to see more control over the data.

Thanks

Sean

MICHELLE

IN ITEM 10 I INDICATED THERE ARE STILL MANY ERRORS IN THE REPORTS GENERATED BY FTM 2009.

IN ITEM 13 I SENT INFORMATION TO YOU POINTING OUT THE ERROR IN THE FAMILY GROUP SHEET REPORT PRODUCED BY FTM 2009

AN ERROR ALSO OCCURS IN THE INDIVIDUAL REPORT PRODUCED BY FTM 2009. AGAIN, THIS ERROR IS NOT A FORMAT ERROR, BUT IS A SOFTWARE ERROR. THE END RESULT IS ANOTHER REPORT PRODUCED BY FTM 2009 THAT IS INCORRECT AND UNUSABLE BY THE USER.

THIS ERROR IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ERROR I POINTED OUT IN THE GENERATION OF THE FAMILY GROUP SHEET.
TO SEE THIS ERROR USE THE SAME PROCESS I DESCRIBED IN ITEM 13, BUT RUN THE INDIVIDUAL REPORT FOR FTM 2009 INSTEAD OF THE FAMILY GROUP SHEET REPORT. JUST MAKE SURE WHEN YOU RUN THE INDIVIDUAL REPORT THAT YOU SET IT SO THAT IT GENERATES BOTH PREFERRED AND NON PREFERRED FACTS

I AM SURE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO EASILY SEE THE ERROR AND HOPEFULLY THE SOFTWARE DEVELOPER S CAN EASILY FIX IT

John # 66

The first place I looked for the ability to uninstall 2008 is the add/remove programs panel in VISTA. Even though 2008 is loaded and working on my computer, it isn’t on the add/remove list.

I would like to have only 2009 on my computer.

Hello Michelle,
Thank your team for sending me the 2009 Software; much appreciated. Here are a few things to consider:

1. They might want to tell people to uninstall 2008 first because the software technically doesn’t upgrade.
No worries though.

2. Is there a way to generate a report that lets you pick how one person relates to another person without them being the home person?

Thank you for your time!

When will we be able to disregard “hints” that are obviously incorrect? It is annoying to have the same “hints” appear when they have been marked as disregard.

After participating in the beta testing for FTM2009, the ability to format the page output of Genealogy Reports - Register Reports was still not addressed. In FTM16, you could format the page output, but with FTM 2008 and 2009, you can’t edit the output and every page comes up with the header and the footer which contains the Page number and date. and double lines separating the body from the header and footer. For those publishing their family trees, whether to a web site or simply to a file, it takes an unrealistic amount of time to manually delete the unwanted information. I still have to go back and use FTM16 for publishing to my web site.

Mitch # 70

It is but under some arcane heading

I don’t use Vista but if you go to Start>Search and type in something like “Unistall programs” you will find it.

John D

Re my original #61 and your reply #65.

Yes I am aware that the type of chart I want to design is available in the Pedigree Chart.

However I want to do this within the Descendent Report and that does not allow me to add facts in the same way as the Pedigree Chart.

Mitch # 70

That should be Start>Help

John D

Peter # 71

I assume that you mean Register Report?

In items to include you have a fair bit of control as to what facts to show eg

preferred facts, private facts, person notes, fact notes, private notes, sources and name options

What facts do you need that are not in the above list?

John d

Please don’t do the webinar for FTM 2009 till the upgrade arrives.

When will it arrive. Thanks

Why are there no Texas marriage records from the 1920’s through the 1950’s?

Now that FTM2009 is released is it possible that you and your team look into what has been done to the processing flow and that FTM2008/9 has added many extra mouse clicks etc. Everything in the program is so sequential. One cannot select a number of databases to search but must do each at a time. This is all very HTML like rather than a thought out plan on how to assist the user. On the Add a person dialog, there is extra work in clicking on the dropdown for gender and then selecting the gender. This has happen throughout the program.

I have ragged many times to FTM about this and in later versions (previous to FTM2008), we could select special databases etc.

I also beleive that your design people suffer from TABitist. Why not separate the PEOPLE/PERSON info into a separate window. Likewise with the Name index. Why not use the F2 format and ditch the one on the PEOPLE TAB?

Im very willing to discuss if you wish to e-mail me.

RON C

********************************
What do other users think?

Please make the program more functional and don’t worry about how pretty it is or whether you are using the latest programming toys (TABS).
********************************

I am of more than average intellect but I struggle with FTM2009.
I absolutely hate it. I have resolved anything with the tech. support. In they lost my photos of my son that died in 2005. All I want is a current copy of FTM2006.
I’ll be glad to send back 2009 IT STINKS.
Plus everytime I log in or call for help I get another userid…..

Re #77

Now I’vegot home and played around John, yes you are right I can create a descendant tree report similar to that I had in FTM16.

I hadn’t realised that I could add facts in that way.

So having now got all the facts I want in the boxes - Name, Birth, Christening, Marriage, Death, Burial and Occupation, the report still does not seem to allow the following.

I can’t give each different fact listed above a different text colour for each type.

That is a backward step from FTM16, unless you can solve that one for me?

Peter # 82

Are you talking about a report (lots of text), or a chart )lots of boxes and lines)?

John D

Also it is probably best to put tech queries onto the FTM-Tech or http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.software.famtreemaker/mb.ashxlist

You are currently on a Blog where the question posed was questions for a webinar. Just a thought

FTM 2009 still crashes, hangs-up and is slow as it can be. It’s like spitting into the wind.

#83 - yes John sorry if I have not made it clear - it is the Descendants Chart (Tree).

I have appreciated your help thus far.

Peter # 85

I thought it might be

Once again you need to look at the RH panel.

You have a fonts button to control the fonts and their colours and next to it the Box and line Styles

This is the button that does the real work including the rather brilliant marked boxes where you can highlight one or any number of boxes.

You have many more options that you ever did in FTM 16

Box, Border, and Line Options
Box, Border, and Line Options lets you set the thickness and color of lines in charts, including boxes and the lines connecting nodes. You can also set the color of box backgrounds and the chart background.

The following table describes the options available:

Option
Description

Boxes: item box
The item box lists the elements of the chart that can have box properties. This lets you set the box attribute in the chart by type.

Females: All females in the chart.

Males: All males in the chart.

Unknown Gender: All individuals in the chart whose gender has not been specified.

Pictures: All pictures whether of a male or female. This makes a border for each picture in the chart.

Marked Boxes: All boxes in that chart that you marked (see

Boxes: Border
Lets you select the color of the currently selected item.

Boxes: Fill
Lets you select the background color of the currently selected item.

Boxes: Shadow
Lets you select the color of the drop shadow of the currently selected item.

Boxes: Double line
Gives double-line border to the box around the item in the chart.

Boxes: Rounded corners
Gives rounded corners to the box around the item in the chart.

Boxes: All boxes same size
Makes all of the item’s boxes the same size.

Boxes: Semi-transparent
Makes the box fill color 50% transparent so the background can be seen through the fill.

Boxes: Use gradient fill
Makes the box background change from white (at the top, left corner of the box) to the selected fill color (at the bottom, right corner of the box).

Book layout maximums
The Book layout will adjust the size of the boxes to fit the space available. Book layout maximums lets you set the width and height that the box cannot exceed.

Poster layout initial box size
Sets the width and height of the boxes in the poster layout. You can later adjust the width, height, overlap and spacing of the boxes in the Advanced Layout settings.

Chart border: Line
Sets the thickness and color of the line that surrounds the entire chart. You can also select rounded corners and double line.

Chart border: Background
Sets the background color for the chart.

Pedigree lines
Sets the color and thickness of the lines that connect the nodes in the chart.

Divider lines
Sets the color and thickness of the lines that separate records in the chart or report.

Again this is not the best forum to get this information (see my earlier post

Have a look at the screenshots on this link

http://www.familytreemaker.com/About/Screenshots.aspx

John D

#86 - Thanks again - It is the actual text that I wish to change the colour of within the boxes. The Facts from what I can see can only be all one colour, I want each fact in a different colour, for instance
Birth - Red
Christening - Green
Marriage - Blue
Death - Black
Burial - Black

I have raised an enhancement request with the Tech team.

Peter #87

Now I see what you are on about

The font selections in 2008/09 are different to what you had in FTM 16

As you note an enhancement request

John D

#88 - Again thanks John.

Can’t comment on 2009 as I haven’t received it. This may seem alittle silly but some of you are typing in all caps which is like screaming at someone. I’m sure some of you meant to do this while others haven’t.

I send Enhancement requests, Bugs and Technical support items through http://ftm.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ftm.cfg/php/enduser/ask_feedback.php as directed by FTM2009. The dialog should have an addition to CC the request to the submitter.

I know these go into the BCF anyway but I’d like to know what I’ve sent in and to reference it if need be in another request.

Thanks,
RON C

I find it 10 times easier to input data into FTM Ver16 as apposed to FTM 2009. For me any many other’s with large databases this is very important. There are a lot of frills and nice to have options in 2009 but when you get right down to it people like to produce reports and books and wnat an easy interface. What can be done to make the interface in 2009 as easy and fiendly as Ver 16.

So I got my 2009 upgrade today in the mail, and was looking over the changes. The one item I still wish they would bring back in the Calendar Feature I have not been able to locate that since the 2006-7 version(s).

I can not register my Family Tree Maker 2009.
I have been a paying subscriber since 2004 and upgraded my subscription recently. Then I sent off for FTM, but still can not register. Advise please.

Will family tree maker ever update to cover those of us in MA & CA who are in same sex marriages? We are unable to use a dual label of Husband and Husband in the tree.
Thank you

Just received FTM 2009. Installed program on Vista based system and it resulted in a blue screen and program will not open. First time FTM product has done this. FTM 2008 still works. Any reason for this?

How do I upload my information from my Family Tree to this site without having to rekey everything? I know there is a way…but it is not obvious.

Word on the street is that 2009 will not ever have true book building capability without going online. Any comments on this?

I’m beginning to suspect it’s true. All direct questions about that are being ignored, the tutorial doesn’t list it, and a high-demand item like that would certainly have been in the first release if was going to be there at all.

Most likely, we’ll see another piece of software you can buy that will do this, or an upgrade to the online book building feature.

I know other genealogy software does this, and I’m not going to wait around any longer. I want to finish my book by the holidays, so it’s time to just move on.

One of the announced enhancements is tighter integration between FTM and Ancestry. Exactly what does that mean?

Will it allow back and forth movement of information between FTM and your Trees on Acestry or what?

I’d appreciate having ability to view Family Archive CDs within FTM 2009. This feature worked well in earlier versions; can someone explain why it was discontinued?

I just received FTM2009.
Still I don’t see what I was looking for (#12).
I assume the old webpage I must dismiss.
Anyone knows if “sharing to Ancestry” ends up in something similar to the old Genealogy.com user page? I’d like to know before proceeding.
thanks

Below is some of the feedback I have provided FTM on Bugs and Enhancements I have found and requested. My comment is when do we see any responses back from FTM (TGN) on what individuals submit?

As a beta tester, I send them to both msfeedback@tgn.com and ftm-dev@tgn.com. A summary of what I submitted is below. (Note the references to attachments obviously are not part of this post.) I am providing it to give some additional visibility to the users of FTM- like what I discussed in post #21 and Ronald in post #80.
As you can see most of my comments are around enhancing and improving function and flow of the core product as a person uses the program. Yes, having extra fancy charts, maps, and features is nicety that everyone wants (screams for?!?!), but in my opinion the core product/platform should first be made more usable and inviting to work with.

BUG REPORTS
1. Witnessed a crash when I changed data properties on Birth fact to Place/Date.
2. Had the debugger show up stating Object expected at the following lines: 73, 1467, 1526, 1533, 1561
3. The scroll wheel on the mouse does not work when the mouse is over an image during web search. e.g. viewing a census record with the enhanced viewer. It does work however in Internet Explorer outside of FTM when searching Ancestry.com.
4. The Hint leaves on the right panel on the People tab do not always work the first time you press them. In the attached video, I select a new hint in the web search, then change to the People tab, select a new person, click on the hint leaf on the right panel. FTM takes me back to the Web search page, but does not refresh the screen with the hints for the person I selected. However, if I go back to the People tab and then click on the Hint leaf once more, FTM takes me to the Web Search page and this time it refreshes the screen with the hints.
5. While searching through the Web Search on Ancestry.com in their Obituaries database, the program had a run-time error; Line 73; Object expected. All I did was attempt to click on a record from the list and this came up. I had chosen many records previous to this one without any incident.
6. Tuesday afternoon I reported a bug via phone to tech support (David) on the 800 number. It had to do with slow and intermittent response when doing web searches. I have attached a screen capture video to show you what I mean. The initial search results pop up in 8 seconds after I press the ‘Search’ button, but I do not gain control back from the program until a full 45 seconds after pressing ‘Search’. Response is the same even after all my security has been disabled. Performance like this is very frustrating. This happens with virtually every search I do. I have no performance issues retrieving data from other web sites using Internet Explorer. Any ideas?
7. I found an obituary on the Internet. I copied/pasted the address into the address bar in the Web Search tab. The page loads up properly, however the Merge information from the previous search I did still remained in the lower right panel. The Merge Results window needs to clear itself after a new Internet page is loaded.
8. I had a Run time error; Line 34 (Object doesn’t support this property or method). I was in the middle of web clipping in the Web Search tab when this occurred.
9. When doing a web search on any web site, double-clicking on a field or word to highlight it does not allow type-over (keyboard input) to replace the highlighted text. However, clicking and dragging (or tabbing) to highlight the text to type-over works normally like any other editor program.
10. In the Web Search and People (family) tabs, the lower window will minimize itself if FTM is minimized and then maximized (e.g. as you toggle between programs in the taskbar). The lower window can regain its size by clicking on the Open/Close Bottom Panel button, but the problem remains the next time the program is minimized. Restarting the program or computer did not change how this worked. Note that I just discovered the problem will go away if I double click on the “Drag to resize, double click to reset” area. Somehow resizing the default bottom panel is causing this to happen
11. When merging various media files (images) from Ancestry.com (particularly MN marriage and divorce records, census records seem ok), for some files it downloads FTM creates a *.tmp file extension. This of course cannot be opened by typical graphics programs.
12. We need the ability to name the media files during the merge in order to give them any meaning, but FTM instead uses some long numerical name that means nothing to us users - particularly when we want to find an image in Windows explorer. Also, having a title like “Joe Smith 1880 census” works for Joe, but not for his family members. And the current nondescript numerical name does not work either. You should set up a default media file naming convention in the Tools menu (you can duplicate the way audio programs offer to name a ripped wave files with track number, title, artist, etc. except using repository, source title, etc) or at minimum open up a file Save As… dialog box.
13. The program allows duplicate residences to take place. During Web Merge, it should check for matching residences and offer to source them; it should not add a duplicate. Example: I have 1920 as a preferred residence and 1910 as an alternate residence. I attempt to merge a 1910 census record on this person while keeping 1920 as the preferred residence. However, what I am left with is a 1920 preferred residence (good), a new sourced 1910 alternate residence (good), and my old [potentially unsourced] 1910 alternate residence. Thus my file now has two 1910 alternate residences (very bad).
14. I had a currently unrepeatable problem that I experienced a while ago and the details are foggy, but essentially it went like this. Trying to perform Web Clipping of a jpg image I found on the Internet. I noticed the person on the bottom panel was not the correct person so I tried (unsuccessfully) to select the correct person by choosing them on the small tree at the top of the page and from the family tab. Although in each case the correct person appeared in the lower box on the web tab after-wards, once I completed the Web clipping and Merge of the image it reverted back to the wrong person (media link was to the wrong person as was the current person). I redid this 5-6 times selecting the correct current person various ways, but each time it linked up to the previous (wrong) person.
15. Another un-repeating problem developed while viewing a family: for a short time FTM decided to assign one person as his own father. Don’t recall what I was doing at the time, but after compacting the file and a restart it seemed to be back to normal.

ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS

1. During a web merge, I would like the ability to add a new person for the record I found that I’ve selected and shows up in the merge box on the lower right. This will allow me to quickly gather new people that I may not yet have linked to the correct family. This can be accomplished in the “Select a Different Person” dialog box by adding a “New Person…” button.
2. Below I have discussed the annoyance of not having FTM identify duplicate sources and the multiple navigation steps currently required to make sure you are not using an existing source during a web merge. One partial solution to this is on the Web Search page, to add a ‘Sources’ citation tab to the bottom panel (along with the other person tabs of Facts, Media, and Notes). This way I can quickly (one click) see whether or not a source has been used previously. I can also compare the current sources to the search suggestions on the same page - a wonderful yet simple improvement!
3. For Publishing reports, program flow for exporting or printing them is very inconsistent. Why can I right-click on some reports to get an export menu, but not on others? Why is a right click the only way to access this export option? It should be included in a menu and/or icon. (In fact not having “Print…” in the file menus is VERY strange for a program that prints; yes FTM will print different things from different pages so you obviously need to accommodate for that.) Most people do not ever use a right click so how will they ever find this capability? And if it only works on some reports but not others…
4. You have now nicely made some charts ‘interactive’ by allowing dynamic selection of the people in them. Great. In the Edit Person dialog box that appears after a double click, you need to add a control buttons to “Go To Person…” and “Set as Current Person…”. Ditto when right clicking on a person in a chart; you need to add the options to 1) “Go To Person…” and 2) “Set as Current Person” there as well.
5. It would be nice to have a ‘Compare’ feature to compare two files (trees) and generate a report. This is essentially a printed version of the File:Merge… function; possible add a “Print…” button in its dialog box. This could be used at different levels. The most basic is to identify which people are unique between the two trees. The second is to identify which facts, sources, & media match/differ so that they can be identified to be added if necessary. The Merge function currently only deals with comparing facts; not sources or media.
6. When switching back and forth between tabs, often the Hint Leaves on the People tab disappear for a time. It would be nice to have the rotating icon similar to the Ancestry.com web site to know that the program is checking for hints (e.g. doing something) instead of showing nothing and thus leaving us not knowing whether or not a hint is available while you wait (perhaps unnecessarily) for the pending Hint Leaves to show up. If this is a memory hog, perhaps an option to display the rotating leave for those who prefer it…
7. In the Media tab, we need the ability to select multiple media items at once for group editing. e.g. assigning a category (biggest need), or providing a caption (lesser need). Doing this one at a time is too time consuming.
8. The Sources tab includes a link to see the selected source on-line at the bottom right corner; very hard location to see and notice. It would be very nice to have this link shown near the top just under the repository name.
9. You often have to switch back and forth quickly between two tabs as you work through adding sources and web searching. It would be nice to switch back and forth between the last two accessed tabs via keyboard shortcut. Ctrl-Tab is the common keystroke for most other programs, but with FTM it just switches the focus to another control. Alt-Left (or right) only gets me to one tab over, not the last one I visited.
10. For program flow I find it cumbersome to have two sub-tabs in the People Tab (Family & Person). I always find myself having to visit the opposite sub tab from the one that is shown causing additional delays (more navigation) in seeing the information I want. At minimum there should be a keyboard shortcut to distinguish the two sub-tabs, but ideally they should each be their own master tab.
11. In the People/Family tab it has a person index for all people in the file. It would be nice to also have this person index available in the People/Person tab. There is plenty of room.
12. In the Sources tab, it would be nice to also capture a creation/modification date (similar to the Media tab) of when the source was captured. This helps in auditing our efforts of what we did and when. Generating reports by citation creation (and media!) date would also be a nice to have at some point.
13. In the Media Tab, the rightmost panel is different that the rest of the tabs. All others use tabs (not Icons) to switch between Facts, Media, and Notes. Why not here too? Besides the ‘Notes’ icon looks more like the ‘copy’ icon than anything else - very confusing.
14. In the Plan tab under New Tree, the Continue button should be the bottom most button so that it is obvious to select it as the last step. Instead, FTM has the File Location below it which wrongly implies that you should do that step last. Not very intuitive…
15. In the Plan/Current Tree tab, I would like to have the ability to select a task and then be taken to the individual associated with it. The Go To button accomplishes this, but it would be nice to also add this functionality to the right click menu to “Go To Person…” By the way, the “Go To” button label as is, is not descript enough; “Go To Person” is better. Again it is initially confusing to the the user what it does.
16. It would be useful to have the ability to quickly assign a task to more than one individual or a (family) group of people; e.g. you find a census record for one person of the family and need to go back in the future to add all the other family members. Entering separate tasks for each person is too cumbersome.
17. Clicking on the Filter icon on the task list causes the pop-up help text of “Filter tasks” to cover up the menu options. Same for Show/Hide columns. Yes it goes away after a few seconds, but it is annoying while it is there.
18. Need the ability to select multiple Tasks at once and then edit them (e.g. Completed check box, high/med/low category, etc.)
19. Have a way to quickly standardize ALL sort orders at once (e.g Tools menu option…) of children and spouses chronological rather than doing it one family at a time. If a different order is required for one family we can always re-order them the way we currently have to (one at a time).
20. Need to have the ability to print ALL facts out on an individual; not just the ‘Preferred’ ones. And this is needed for any group of selected individuals (e.g. not just one person at a time). This way we can audit all of our information quickly. e.g. in the Custom Report include a check box to include Alternate facts as well.
21. The Merge in the Web Search needs to include all the available info it can. e.g. a marriage shows the spouse’s name in the window above, but lists in the Merge box on the bottom! Also the marriage date will not merge unless the spouse is also merged. Although spouse and date are tied, you should not need to have one to have the other. In the family tab I can have a marriage date without a spouse listed. And often if the spouse’s name is already known all that is needed is to merge the date. But that cannot happen unless the spouse is merged as well.
22. FTM allows duplicate sources to be entered which it should instead flag and let you know you already have it. For example, I merged a birth record to my mother from source A from the hints (leaf link). Later while searching for ‘More Records’ I happen to also select the same source A on her birth. I cannot quickly validate if I used that source already without leaving the Web Search Tab and going to the People/Person tab and searching for the fact and source. It would be much nice to have the program identify the duplicate and ask you if you still want to use it. You should also be able to generate a report that shows which people have duplicate sources in their data so that the info can be cleaned up.
23. In the People/Person tab, it is clumsy and awkward to have to use copy/paste on sources when working on cleaning up sources (like duplicate ones that are mentioned in #4 above). Without very carefully watching your sources (or using an existing file from FTM2008) a person’s facts may have multiple names (John Smith, John A Smith, John Adam Smith, etc.) with one preference and many alternates. It would be helpful to simply drag and drop a source(s) from the right source tab onto the appropriate fact in the main window. That way I can have all my sources tied to one full name, John Adam Smith. Much cleaner and quicker w/ drag and drop than one at a time copy/paste.
24. Combining the last two suggestions above, the program should also be able to tell you if you have a duplicate source during a drop and drag. At a minimum it should have an auditing tool that looks for ways to clean up records (remove duplicate facts, combine sources, checking to see if all potential family members have been tied to a source (e.g. each family member alive during a particular census), etc. This would save people literally HUNDREDS of hours cleaning up the messes 2008 made to their files.
25. In the Web Merging dialog box, the change to discard the fact for both the original and merged info is nice to have and a big improvement over 2008. However it would still be very nice to have the date and place information separated as well. For example I have a known fact date of “7 Aug 1884″ but no place for a birth-date. The census record I want to merge however has “Aug 1884, Minnesota” as its birth info. Neither piece of info is complete and I need to merge the full date with the place to get the maximum info during the merge. Otherwise I have to manually enter it and its source which is a PITA. And using Alternate and Preferred for two different (but essentially the same) facts is not the best way either.
26. During web merge, I want to have the option to have an alternate name be saved as an AKA field instead of a Name field.
27. Some death records create a BURIAL field (all caps) that is not recognized as the same field as the default ‘Burial’ field. Yes, this can be ported over using the Data Field Options, but the program should be smart enough to recognize that ‘BURIAL’ should equal ‘Burial’. Also they often create an ‘Other’ data field for the place - can this be intelligently put into the Burial fact instead of its own worthless ‘Other’ field?
28. In the People Index and in the mini pedigrees at the top of the Web Search and Publish tabs it would be nice to have the option to include birth and death years added to the end of the names. e.g. “John Smith (1890-1964) similar to how the fly-over help text shows up.
29. Why is it that some family relations are captured during a web merge with census records while others are not? It is such a time saver when it does include the families. Is this a database change? Or a FTM program change?
30. During a Web Merge, why do we only have the options to edit some of the fields? e.g. if during a merge there are a number of children to be added, but one of their names is misspelled, why can’t I edit it like I can with the name of the person attached to the record? Or at least when the last name is misspelled for everyone, how come changing/editing the record holder’s last name does not also change it for all the other people being merged?

I have a very extensive tree on Ancestry.com. How do I import this into Family Tree Maker 2009?

Disregard, right after I put up my post I figured it out.

Samuel # 98

To the best of my understanding not true

A commitment has been given for an in program book module as a free patch to FTM 2009

John D

Hi. I agree that before you do a Webinar everyone should have a chance to receive and try 2009.

I received mine the other day. It is the last thing I installed on my new laptop (with Vista) and now I cannot open my windows program. I don’t know if this has something to do with the program or not, but I will be uninstalling 2009 to see if that makes a difference.

Also, it is my understanding that in order for many of the new features to work, I would have to put my tree on line. I do not want to do this until I am more sure my facts are as correct as possible, and some of my questions are answered about the privacy of my tree. I do not want it published for everyone to see yet.

This may not have been the proper place to voice my concerns, but if you are going to demo this to others, you may want to consider the comments.

Also, there needs to be some way for folks who have dial up to download the slides before the program. The last time I tried, 15 minutes was not enough time for the download.

Sally # 106

You understanding is ill founded. You do not have to put anything on line to use FTM 2008/9.

FTM 2008/09 uses the internet for its mapping feature and also web search, be in in Ancestry.com or any other site. Again it is one way traffic and nothing leaves your computer unless you choose to do so.

John D

Darn. . .I think the Wizard of Oz must of zapped Michelle away! (Re: post #9)

I have tried ..several times, to stop the My Ancestry.com and I know find I am still being charged.
Please help
Sue

Hi Michelle

I registered FTM 2009, and was also advised that I could extend my Ancestry.com subscription for World Heritage membership by one month.

However, on accessing the screen to do this, I was asked for my 19 digit activation code.

I was given a code when I purchased FTM 2008, but I have not received a code for FTM 2009.

How do I get this code for FTM 2009?

(I did try the FTM 2008 code, but this did not work).

I have some questions about reports:

1. Why is this necessary to configure a non-existent printer just to generate PDFs? Why can’t I save reports as PDFs whether or not there is a printer configured on the system?

3. Why does FTM2009 just crash when the I try to change the layout if no printer is attached? Why does it let me “generate report” then wait until I try to change the layout to crash? Why doesn’t it do what every other professionally written program does when it encounters a problem and issue an error message?

3. Where are the system requirements listed for FTM2009? If they are the same as FTM2008, why don’t they say that you have to have a printer configured even if all you want to do is generate PDFs?

What kind of testing was done on this thing?

Kathy #108

I don’t think it was the Wizard or even a tornado. I think Michelle stepped too near the black hole that seems to swallow up Ancestry bloggers, together with enhancement requests and reports to support people.

TonyC

Actually, silence seems to be pretty typical from the Ancestry blog masters …

Well guys, when blogs don’t work. . .email! I finally got a code for 2009 this evening and put in my order with no problems.

Yep, Tony (#18) sure have. It seems that when you add the entire family, ie, find the father or mother and source all of the children who are living in the same household with that initial source. Later the program does not recognize that you have already added the fact and the source. It wants you to add the fact and the source again using the child’s name.
Kind of confusing, but hope you could understand what I mead

#37. I ABSOLUTELY agree with James. Being able to identify and delete unlinked sources without checking each individually would be a great asset

Unable to merge files with 2009. I have even tried the GEDCOM–near the end of merging 2009 stops working and all is lost. I am also unable to print the Outline Descendant Report. The program stops working also.
Also my burial places did not transfer–that same problem I had with 2008.

Hi Donna,Ref 117.
I just installed FTM2009 no problems it just took my FTM2008 data and loaded it for use - perfectly.
The Outline Descendants report runs ok and also all the burial information is there for my data

regards

Daryl

I am struggling with recording places. Most of my family are rural folks who ended up in District # or Civil Distric # such and such county. Seems it must be important to keep such data, but it doesn’t seem to jive with the place name. I know there is the “add a description” option. Would really like to know how everyone is dealing with this.
Thanks for any comments

How do I create and/or sort a report by birth MONTH or birth DAY (not year)?

For

Comment Number:
117 Written by:
Donna

And

Comment Number:
118 Written by:
Daryl Rickards

Donna and Daryl

See items 50 and 52 for further discussion of this issue

Robbie # 119

I tend to use the Place name Authority for Places and add the secondary date, districts, suburbs, hospitals etc in the Description field

John D

I haven’t been able to access the website on Sept 29 I paid $39.00+ and still cannot access the site. Please help

Barbara #123

Have you registered the program?

John D

Hi Kathy Ref: 121

I have just run a Register report for 13 generations. 260 pages complete in 45 sec.
The Ahnentafel Report starting from myself back 14 generations took 30sec and is complete. Both reports using preferred facts.

regards

Daryl

We as web users need to know more on the power people who was granted land, bought land, slaves,held offices in counties and county records that refer to wills, land tranfers, freed slaves, and those that married slaves, and abolishtionest.

I have been using FTM since the beginning. (A very long time!) I upgrade like a zombie and never complain. I assume every upgrade will be bigger and better, and that you know best. Who am I to question your knowledge and expertise?

The last version that I truly was in love with is FTM 16. I won’t rehash all the issues that have been blogged up to this point. I will however mention a new one that no one seems to have missed. When 2008 was released I noticed the calendar option was deleted. I called customer service and was told that several items were placed on the back burner in order to release the new software on time. I sent an email off to ask for this option to please be included in a revision to 2008. When I received my 2009 that was the first thing I looked for. Once again, it was not there.

Maybe no one else uses this function, but I use it. I know I am but one user. I use this function to produce a family calendar for my very large family, over 150 bitrhdays and 35 anniversaries. My famiy relies on me to produce this family calendar every year for Christmas. This function allows me to print a calendar with all this information, with relative ease. It brings my family together like nothing else.

Please consider reviving the calendar function…

Thank you.

Regarding the “Life Migration Path” feature in FTM 2009:

This feature is hopeless. If a street no longer exists, the map insists on finding one which does still exist, even if that place is at the other end of the country - and despite the town and county saying otherwise!

For example -

1920s-1950s Place:
Artillery Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

2008 Place (result in FTM 2009):
Artillery Street, London, England

Why does it match on the first word only?

Try switching? Have done: putting the street name after England (ridiculous) makes NO difference.

A distracting gimmick.

Let me just say this: FTM 08-09 suck! What good is software if I can’t run it for more than 5 minutes without it crashing? I agree with the others, the older versions were much much better. It doesn’t matter whether I run the software on my laptop or my desk, it crashes before I have it open for 5 minutes.

FOR

125 Written by:
Daryl Rickards

Posted on:
October 4, 2008 at 3:36 am
Hi Kathy Ref: 121

I have just run a Register report for 13 generations. 260 pages complete in 45 sec.
The Ahnentafel Report starting from myself back 14 generations took 30sec and is complete. Both reports using preferred facts.

regards

Daryl

DARYL TRY TO RUN THE SAME REPORTS USING BOTH PREFERRED AND NON PREFERRED FACTS——MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A REPORT/SURNAME THAT HAS A LOT OF NON PREFERRED FACTS AND A LOT OF SOURCES.

I CAN GET THE PREFERRED FACTS REPORTS TO RUN FOR QUITE A FEW GENRATIONS, BUT WHEN I “LOAD” THE REPORT UP WITH A LOT OF NON PREFERRED FACTS AND “MASTER” SOURCES I CAN’T GET IT TO RUN.

TOMORROW I AM INSTALLING TWO MORE GIGS OF MEMORY —-TO MAKE IT A TOTAL OF 4 GIGS—-HOPEFULLU I CAN GET IT TO RUN BOTH PREFERRED AND NON PREFERRED FULLY LOADED

I am a new user. What determines the order in which people are shown on the charts? Surely it should be by date of birth but it seems to the order in which they were entered into the program. Is there a way to rearrange the order?

Hi Michelle,
Just noted FTM2009. Have not received anything regarding the FREE upgrade from FTM2008.
Hoping to hear soon,

Brian
Australia

Kathy, Ref #130 - Caps Off

I reran the reports again fully loaded,Preferred, non-preferred, sources, notes - personal/research.

Register report for 15 generations, 635 Sources,285 pages completed in 2m50sec.
The Ahnentafel Report starting from myself back 14 generations took 30sec.
I assume your computer is well maintained(disk clean) and defragmented.
Best of luck
Daryl

Michelle, as you can tell from the blog, many us really liked FTM 2006 and have some disappointments with FTM 2008/2009.

My main disappointment is in navigation. In FTM 2006, you could create an outline descendancy chart and easily navigate through a branch of the family. I don’t know about other family historians, but I like to focus on specific branches when I do research. While your new navigation is interesting, it’s not as easy to use. In your webinar, I would like to see prove me wrong and illustrate techniques for navigation that are simply than navigating within a descendancy tree. And the focus should be on a larger branch. I agree that it is relatively easy to navigate within 2-3 generations. Also, it is very disappointing that the back/next feature works in a very limited manner. That was another simple navigational technique that was very valuable in FTM 2006.

Hi, this is the first time I have discovered this website. I have very little info. and no remaining family members to help shed some light on my questions. I am of Cherokee heritage. At least, if not more than 1/8%. How in the world do I find out about my definite lineage to an American Indian heritage? I know enough about my maternal grandmother, (Opal Carrie Savage), and her father - Hamilton Jackson Savage. If you can direct me, I would be greatly obliged.

Sincerely,

Amy Nunes

WHAT DO YOU CHARGE FOR YOUR SEVICES? IT SEEMS TO BE CONVENIENTLY OMITTED IN YOUR INFO. WHY?

Paul #103

I submitted almost all of what you have and a lot more starting back in the FTM2008 beta testing and never have seen or heard anything from FTM/TGN.

All of the enhances should be compiled and a survey distributed as to the desirability of the request.

RON C

How do I get the researchers to discontinue researching the family they have helped with? I have as much as I need and can not get them to stop. Thanks

As Donna comment 117 said unable to merge files in 2009, whatever I try will not merge causes a crash and when you reload the data is all over the place with duplicate entries children not linked to parents etc.

Have asked for help and uploaded files that I am using and just get told that you can not open them. They open fine here just cannnot merge them.

Also the place names do not appear to work for the UK, a place name is shown with a push pin on the map i.e. Bournemouth, Dorset but the name show unknown, when you go to resolve it, it does not list Bournemouth as an option only unrelated names like Bournemouth Gardens Jamacia.

Also search results via the search option are never the same as the online search on Ancestry.co.uk?

Another major issue is not being able to upload an updated tree to an existing tree on Ancestry website.

I feel this software is not really ready, too many bugs.

I am very happy with 2009. There are a couple of issues I’d like to see fixed.

I have already mentioned one … the media folder check box in the back up feature is nothing but trouble, and you guys know that. Make it disappear please.

The other is the forward and back buttons … If you are working in the search window and have the left pane hidden you are placing one set of back / forward arrows below another. It’s real easy to click the wrong set. One set could be placed elsewhere to avoid this problem.

The feature on the map which tracks a person’s trail in life is very handy. It has already shown me a few errors in my research because lines go where they should not. With some fine tuning this can be a real asset to the researcher. I would really like to see it have the ability to not show place facts that have been ‘made private.’

I’m hoping the book writing feature that is coming will be much more advanced that it was in Version 16. That one was a real dud in my opinion.

I believe that, in time, FTM will be an outstanding family research application and will cause other packages to gather dust.

Keep up the good work!

I joined Ancestry about a year ago and I put all my work on line then one day everythink had changed Icouldnt find my work something else came up .I liked the way it was befor.Also you have put some more background pictures and some are very faded and I cannot see them

In connection with 117 and 139, I have just ‘MERGED’ 20 individuals, some with sources attached, from Roots Magic to 2009 without encountering any problems at all.
Hope no one takes offence to what I am about to say but having used 2009 for some months now (I was a beta tester) the program has never crashed and has carried out anything I have asked without problem.
Many of the faults being reported in this blog could very easily be caused by people not being familiar with the software and I think that this could be solved by Ancestry providing a more detailed manual with the software when purchased. This would allow owners to become more familiar with the software than they are at present.

I just upgraded to FTM 2009.
One problem that I have noticed when I ported over is related to the Sources that have been grabbed from Ancestry (eg. Census, Selective Service, etc.) - ALL of those sources had the “Include Reference Note” check marks completely wiped out in my file. Didn’t notice it until I generated a Report and found my references missing all sorts of commentary. Went back in and found that my file now has none of the check marks I placed for those particular references. Sources I generated myself, appear to have retained their check marks. Is there a way to globally fix this? So far, I have been doing it by hand but I have close to 2000 people in my file and this is a MAJOR bummer.

My old FTM (pre-2008) used to search automatically on married name when searchng the web using maiden name. Why doesn’t it still do that? If it does, how do I make it happen?

Follow up comment…I love FTM and I really made use of hte new search/merge facility. My only annoyances are the aforementioned maiden/married search and the fact that changing the preferred facts flip one up to a higher level in the tree so that I have to constantly go back to where I was.

#136 Randall and #138 Harriet:

What ARE you talking about?!

Sorry, just curious!

I have searched the help utilities to no avail and would like to know if there is a utility within FTM 2009 for putting Sources and Media for facts/individuals in date order?

Often, research uncovers something that fits in the “middle” of what you have already documented. To generate a report where the sources don’t bounce all over numerically, it would be nice to have a way to easily put the sources (for an individual fact) in date order - The only way I have found to do this is to unlink everything and manually relink it in date order…there should be an easier way to accomplish this.

I have registered FTM 2009, and was also advised that I could extend my Ancestry.com subscription for World Heritage membership by one month.

However, on accessing the screen to do this, I was asked for my 19 digit activation code.

I was given a code when I purchased FTM 2008, but I have not received a code for FTM 2009.

How do I get this code for FTM 2009?

(I have tried the FTM 2008 code, but this did not work).

A couple of things -

When will we have the Book feature similar to V16?

When will we have website access to update websites created and maintained for years with the older versions?

And how can we implment specific addresses in Places that will be displayed properly on the map. EG Specific house address where my Dad was born. More than just town, county state and country. MSVE can do it. Why can’t FTM 2009?

Regards,
Larry
2008OC09 21:55 Sydney

I have just recently purchased FTM2008, and am attempting to import via GEDCOM all of my existing family tree which was produced on an older, no obsolete version of REUNION, on my old computer, however I seem to have hit a roadblock! FTM tells me that I need to have GEDCOM 5.5 or higher. (which obviously the older program does not have)
SO my question is, is 5.5 the highest Gedcom available, or should I be looking to install a different version? Whichever I do, it is going to entail, connecting my old computer back to the internet to download the required Gedcom before I proceed with any further information transfer.

Thanks Marie

please can you tell me, I have FTM v. 10, and I am thinking about upgrading to 2009.

I do not have an online account, and have never uploaded my tree, I want to do this now.

Am I correct in thinking that, as soon as I upload the tree, I can no longer use the computer based software to edit my tree, as it will not update the online version???

If this is the case, do I have to keep paying a monthly charge, or can I pay as and when I want to edit it?

Does this change depend on what version of FTM I am using?

I have just a Canadian subscription to Ancestry and in FTM 2008 I had a box to tick in the Search Box so that only Canadian results came up. Now that I’ve installed FTM 2009 that option isn’t there and I often get millions of hits.

How do I inform the program that I want just Canadian results please?

Hi Lea #148

I still haven’t got an answer yet either.

It would be nice to get my 2009 email, so I can have it sent to me.

Marie # 150

Go to http://ftm.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ftm.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=HDkJsgKi

Search for 3673

John D

how can i combine my family tree maker 2009 file with my ancestry.com file

Is there any way that you could provide an index for the photographs I add into family tree maker so that I can see who I have at a glance instead of going through 300,000+ names? It’s extremely frustrating as I would like to be able to see an index so I can quickly remove, add or replace photos with a newer or colour version. It would make records more easier to find too!

Sue # 157

Use the media report in the publish area. You even get a nice little thumbnail of the image

John D

I have had absolutely no problems with FTM 2009 although there are still some improvements to the reports I would like to see. I ts great to be able to export reports to a word document in a nice clean formant but one addition to the genealogical reports I would really like to see is one that was in FTM 2005, The NGS Quarterly (Descendant Order). This report includes a child’s spouses information in the report. The report you currently have does not include this information. Would Youl PLEASE incorporate this report into an upcoming update.

Thank you.

I have had FTM since the Banner Blue days and I noticed that the charts are still locking up. The 2006 was able to had 10 generation + charts with ease but 2008 and 2009 apparently get gummed up.

Congrats on fixing the nickname issue, though! It really helps.

Is there a way in 2009 to delete the SOURCE file; or at least delete the contents by a method other than one-by-one?

I have a 2009 source file (within 2009) that is loaded down with no longer used source comments, and really need a way to delete … literally … hundreds and hundreds of the ones there.

I have a database of 150000 persons.
Importing an FBC or FTW 2006 file in FTM 2009 gives an unknown error and the import is stopped. Import of a GED files was at 75% after 24 hours. Went back to FTM 2006.

Michelle

This is probably not the place to report/discuss this

BUT

The searching system for Ancestry.Com has gotten slower and slower in the last few weeks and has reached the point that it is getting impossible to use.

When you use the regular search function by going directly to ancestry.com it just spins and spins –because they are loading special features and bringing up graphics advertising ancestry.com

When You use FTM 2009 it becomes nigh to impossible to use—-First of all it searches on the preferred name which usually contains a first and middle and a surname. and it never finds this name. So you have to manually modify it to show first and last name and then it begins to bog down trying to bring up the advertising graphics. Also if you tell it to open up in a separate window (cause the first one is so small you can’t read it) it does so, but then it reverts back to the small window when you try to search again—–how about some remembering system so that when I ask it to open in a second window it continually opens in a second window until I tell it to stop. Look at features in aol.com—-there you can tell the system to remember window size and position. In general FTM 2009 searching is very ineffective and inefficient when compared to FTM 2006

FTM 2006 is beginning to suffer the same slowness as the other search mechanisms (though it does a much better job of finding information than FTM 2009 does)

Bottom line FTM2006, FTM 2009 and regular searching when just calling up the website is not good and is getting worse and worse.

I am at the stage where I am beginning to use GENSMARTS for my searching, because of its ease of use and effectiveness/efficiency

Would you please pass these comments along to the powers to be

When I tried to activate my 30 day free ancestry subscription, I was asked for my 19 digit number. I did not receive one with the FTM 2009 cd. What should I do?

After installing FTM2009 overtop of FTM2008 and on it’s own, I am experiencing crashing of the application whenever I click on the buttons at the top (publish, places, media, etc) I have tried this on two different pc’s with the same result…
I am not able to find a support address on the site anywhere…

I live in Australia and have been using FTM for several years updating the program a number of times. My last purchase was the 2006 version updated later to Series 16

I have heard the 2009 version is quite different and having used my present program for some years I an anxious that there may be another period of learning required to use the new program.

I also recognise that the 2009 version may not yet be available in Australia where we usually use the English version with a particular date format.

I seek some comment on my concerns

Thanks in Anticipation

Terry Seery

Hi Margaret #164

A couple of us have asked this question.

So far, we haven’t received an answer.

Terry # 166

FTM 2009 is freely available in Australia details on this link

http://www.vicgum.asn.au/software.html

I have also written a comparison between FTM 16 and FTM 2008/09 which you can download on this link

http://www.vicgum.asn.au/NavigatingFTM16vsFTM2008.pdf

If you want more info email me on this link

info@vicgum.asn.au

I wrote a full review of FTM 2009 in the October 2008 GUM News

John D

Secretary Victorian GUM Inc

#159 You said “The NGS Quarterly (Descendant Order). This report includes a child’s spouses information in the report. The report you currently have does not include this information. Would Youl PLEASE incorporate this report into an upcoming update.”

You can add this data to any report. Generate the report you want and in the report toolbar, the first selections allows you to add fields. Add the additional data you want hear. On the right at the bottom of the report options are some checkboxes. Make sure show spouses is checked. Then when you have the report you want go to the save button and save it as a new template. Give it the name you awant and it will now appear in your Publish choices,

#157 When you select the media button on the toolbar you get a list and thumbnails of all your media files by file name. This is essentially an index. Then if you right click on one of the photos, you can rename, delete, add media, view, link to a person, etc.

After using 2009 for about two weeks, I am greatly disappointed to find it crashes just as much as 2008.

my problem is that since installing FTM 2009 I have been unable to register. The prog recognises my internet connection (i can connect to ancestry and FTM websites from the ‘plan’ page. but using the websearch facility returns error message saying software is not registered. Using the registration wizard and using my existing email address as I have a current subscription error message says ‘registration server error’ and recommends trying again later.
6 days later I am still trying! In between I have carried out every check on FTM and ancestry.
I even uninstalled and reinstalled FTM 2006 and that has registered OK (after adding service pack 3). So its not an internet connection or
firewall problem. Anyone had similar problem with FTM 2009.? Or any ideas.? Have contacted FTM support and will post any solution if I get one!

Where is the All-in-One-Tree? how can you do a family history if you can’t put all your family members on it…… come on get your finger out…. going to remove 2009 and go back a couple of versions

In 2006 I was able to do a CUSTOM REPORT on cemeteries, ie a list of all people buried or cremated in particular cemetery. I could sort this by cemetery name, then the name & grave information. This was a very handy report, as most genealogists love to walk cemeteries looking for relatives, and I could generate a report with all the people in a particular cemetery.

Am I missing something, as I just cannot find a way to sort a custom report by ‘field’

I have tried to do this on 2008/9 and can only come up with a report that lists the cemeteries by person’s name only. This is useless.

If you are lucky enough ( and I am the only one i know of that has) and listed the cemetery in the ‘place’ field in full, you can print a usage report from “places” for that particular place name. This however does not include the description field,so you have no way of knowing where a particular grave is situated in the cemetery.

It appears to me that when you go from “Notes” to “Facts”, it erases the clipboard. Since I’m copying and pasting source-citation info in both areas, it is very annoying. This this by design or an issue?

I’ve received my FTM 2009 and installed it. It’s referencing my 2008 files okay, but my connection seems to be to ancestry.com and it should be to ancestry.ca since I’m in Canada (shouldn’t it???).

I need help showing an adoption. My sister adopted her husband’s son from a prior marriage. The mother is deceased but we would like to show her in the tree. Is there a way to include this?

Why does Family Tree Maker 2009 convert image files on “Media Only” records to tmp files instead of a vaild graphic extension?

how can i download the family tree to my pc to use it on family tree maker?

Sorry, but just do not like FTM2009, have been trying to work with it for almost two weeks now and have decided to uninstall and go back to FTM2006 V16, which I love. I don’t need all the bells and whistles that have been put in this one. I don’t like the source merge feature as it does not include, what I think, are important info. Death Cert #, etc. In trying to make the sourcing easy, it makes the program to bulky and complicated. So thanks, but no thanks. Will just stay with V16 until Ancestry no longer services it and will then go to some other program. This was not an improvement, at least I don’t think so.

#177
I think you can have two mothers. Just add a second spouse to your sister’s husband. Then go in and add the child to both families. The bio mother would be listed as natural in the relationship view. Your sister would be listed as adoptive is the same view.

# 178
I have wondered the same thing. Does anyone have an answer?

Michelle,

Nice to know that Ancestry.com is evolving and seems to understand that Family Tree Maker and Genealogy buffs are very numerous and hungry for help.
I was hoping you can send me links to solutions for the following issues:
- Trying to export my Family Tree Maker 16 files into Gedcom WITHOUT loosing notes, scrapbook, mariage details, sources etc.
- Trying to do the same as above but exporting it to HTML with all the scrapbook, notes, marriage details, etc.

Also, the genealogy.com site where I can export my FTM files online seems to be from 1997…any more recent web sites where I can upload my FTM file and get a decent looking family tree with the branches and clickable details?

I appreciate your help in advance.

William

Been working with FTM since the beginning. Tried to work with FTM 2008. Downloaded FTM 2009 - the program will not import the death certificates even though they were attached to the individual in FTM V16 and they were JPEGs. The program is useless if I have to go back and check all 4,000 + people for accuracy. Is there an alternative?

Re: #22 & #27: I upgraded from FTM 2006 to 2009 and I cannot find how to prepare a descendant chart that includes only sleected individuals. The filter is not an option for descendant reports in FTM 2009. In FTM 2006 it was possible to create a descendant report by specifying the starting and ending individuals, thereby, limiting the individuals that are included. Is there a method of doing that in FTM 2009? If so, please inform us how to do so. If not, please include it as a requested upgrade.

Type your comment here.

i need to know about the family tree on miller side that i am looking up

How does one go about getting a response about technological problems with FTM.2008? I don’t feel the love once I paid for the product. Problem after merging trees; believe the problem is in the Media file. Two requests; 0 answers.

I have 500,000 people in my tree and need to know …

I think the question is - it’s been a month since this post - when are you going to start answering our questions?

Excelent posts and blog. I wish good luck from Private Krankenversicherung

We were told that the summer of 2008 we would have a way of printing our own books on our own printers. What happened? Will we be able to print our own book on the 2009 version? and when will we be able to do this?
Will it have all the choices that we have with the 2006 version 16 .

Just checking the date!

Hi Alan

The date seems to be OK

In FTM 2006 the All-in-one tree report is probably the most important report. The screen display works as expected, but the more useful ‘hand grab’ ability to move about is missing.

Unfortunately the export All-in-one to a PDF causes the program to crash.

Is this why the PDF export is now missing in FTM 2009?

Also the All-in-one tree report to screen is also missing.

So the most important, to me and everyone I speak to, feature is missing.

Whilst the screen layouts might look better, the missing MAJOR feature makes FTM 2009 a DOWNGRADE.

It’s Oct 23rd NOT Feb 10th.

What’s going on?

It’s not my computer clock - it’s date/time is correct in UK.

- Mark Allen, Ancestry.com

When are the Family Tree Maker 2009 Deluxe and Platinum Versions going to able available on the ancestry store website? I’ve noticed that they are available on Amazon, but I would rather purchase the Deluxe Version from the Ancestry Store.

After two weeks working with FTM 2009, I’ve given up and gone back to FTM 16. 2009 is incredibly slow to load and navigate. I wasn’t impressed with the new interface either, despite giving it a couple weeks to win me over. And ditto on all the comments from others on missing features from previous versions and inexplicable data loss. I must not be part of your target community any more, as I don’t need or want a state-of-the-art interface with lots of processing overhead - just more management control of my data, flexibility in constructing reports, etc.

I’d like to know more about managing large files. One of my trees has 7200 people, and is over 240 MB. I have considered making multiple trees from it, but need to have the multiple common members in common.

I would like to know who my birth parents are, since I was adopted.

I have the UK version of FTM 2009. I have lots of places listed in the UK which are coming up as unrecognised in the facts window, when in fact they are shown correctly on the maps. In one instance I have a house number on a street in Salford, Lancashire which is shown in the right place on the map, although it is marked as unrecognised in the facts window, another number 3 doors away is not recognised on the map & gives suggestions for USA addresses! A little inconsistent? Is there any way around this?

Thanks

#172 Sheila, I have the same problem, but so far haven’t had an answer. As mine was an upgrade & included a free months subscription to Ancestry, which I also can’t activate, I’ve contacted the retailer to see if they can help.

Not only that, but the more I try & use FTM 2009, the more I dislike it. For one thing, the layout is very similar to lots of the other available programmes which I rejected as I preferred the layout of FTM. It seems very cumbersome to move around and doesn’t do all the things the previous versions did. I might just go back to my trusty 2005 version if things don’t improve!

I’ve seen two other people asking about the all-in-one report and there is no answer to them. So I’ll be the third to ask about it. Where is it? I haven’t bought 2009 yet, and I’m very unhappy with 2008 not having it either (a waste of money to buy it without that important report). I had written to customer service several times pre-2009 and was told that it would be an update for 2008, then later they said it would be part of 2009. Well, 2009 is out and it’s not there. So give us an answer, when will it be added? Or should we all just find different software?

On August 8, 2008 I received an email telling me that I would receive a second email telling me how to get the free upgrade to 2009. I have not received the second email.

I would appreciate receiving the second email in order to get the 2009 version.

Thanks.

Since installing FTM 2009 when I try to merge people from the “hints” the whole thing crashes. Anyone know what I can do to stop this. Thank you in anticipation.

I cannot merge two different files with 2009. I’ve tried this on two different machines, but just as the merge process is ready to complete the program crashes. This is absolutely ridiculous. Your program is getting worse and worse. You still haven’t fixed the issue with calculating relationships either.

I am running the three latest versions on XP pro sp3 with no issues. I am currently doing all my “work” in the v16 and importing it into the 2008/9 format. I’m also running the 2009 version on Vista sp1 64-bit without issues.

I’ve noticed that some people are not thrilled with the new interface. I applaud the new back-end change-over. A really “cool” way the save the users that aren’t too happy with the new software is to have a “classic” view. The classic view would revert back to the v16 style interface.

I purchased the 2008 Deluxe version in July ‘08 and then the 2009 Essentials mid-October. I have a code from 3-months from the 2008 version but the 2009 version didn’t have the one month free number in the package.

Here are a couple other issues, most are small: Bookmarks do not transfer from v16 to 2008 or 2009, I get a Home User - the same user even though I’ve added over a thousand users & keep re-importing the file to re-fresh the 2008/9 files.

My descendant tree chart maxes out the width very quickly.

I’d love an export ability to v16.

The “Classic” view would be awesome and may save your project. The simple navigation of the classic view will help the transition to the new product. I think you need to really consider this possiblity.

Thank you for creating a great product.

Sincerely,
Michael
FTW user since v1.0

The online book thing is not optimal. I personally prefer to have the built-in capability to build the books rather than to an online version.

When are you putting out a 64 bit compatible version?

Why is it not possible to register online my FTM 2009 ?

I have just been reading these pages but can’t find out how to contact you reference the FTM2008 free update. I have not received an e.mail regarding this although I bought the FTM 2008 in about Aug 2007 and registered it with you. Your help would be much appreciate. Rita

I had given up on FTM 2008 and even bought Legacy. Got my free FTM 2009 as an apology for 2008, as I tell people. FTM looks like it would be easier to use than Legacy, less popups to enter info, IF it worked. Well, this 2009 version doesn’t print charts, let alone reports. Every time I click on even a pedigree chart, the program just freezes up and says “Not Responding” in the top bar of the computer.
I have Windows XP Pro and a Pentium D, and Legacy works just fine, so what the heck is wrong with FTM?
Roland Rhoades

I have endeavouring to obtain info on my GGGrandfather, John Swain(e), who, I believe, was born 1790s. I have mbeen told that he came from Belfast, Ireland. I have also been informed that he may have come from Yorkshire,England. He Came to Perry’s Cove, Carbonear, Newfoundland, as a School Teacher and possibly a lay minister. He could have been sent here by the Church of England,England, under the auspices of the Spread of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Any info you can provide I would appreciate. H.S.

Roland,

I find compacting the file fixes problems associated with the program freezing or slow responsiveness. To compact the file to “Tools” then “Compact File” - I would suggest backing up prior to compacting.

Michelle,

Are you still planning on holding a webinar or somehow otherwise answering these questions? It has been over two months since you posted “What are your questions?” — I am still interested in learning the answers to my questions (#54), with one of those questions inquiring if there is a way to order source records or if you plan to offer this in the upgrade to 2009 that is being developed.

When will we be able to import an FTM2008 or 9 FTM file into another computer? I normally prefer to work on my desktop but occassionally want to share something with a genealogical society or take my data when travelling. For those purposes I want to export my data file from the desktop and import it to my laptop. After the trip I would want to export from the laptop to the desktop so that I always working with the current data. I can do it with a gedcom file butr it lacks all the media based data. When will this be corrected. If my hard drive were to die I would really be stuck! This sould be a high priority item.

Any chance the you will be changing your database for FTM to something more standard such as SQL Server?

When I uncheck the ‘include only preferred facts’ box in an Individual Report I get eight name facts with exactly the same name in them. The only difference between the eight is the addition of sixteen different sources that explain the eight DIFFERENT name combinations that should be listed.

Now, why would that be? Another bug?

REFERENCE ITEM 216

216 Written by:
Mitch

Posted on:
November 2, 2008 at 7:55 pm
When I uncheck the ‘include only preferred facts’ box in an Individual Report I get eight name facts with exactly the same name in them. The only difference between the eight is the addition of sixteen different sources that explain the eight DIFFERENT name combinations that should be listed.

Now, why would that be? Another bug?

YES MITCH THAT IS ANOTHER BUG - SEE ITEM 14 IN THIS LIST

THERE ARE MANY MORE BUGS IN FTM 2009 THAT RESULT IN INCORRECT REPORTS — JUST SEARCH ON MY NAME IN THIS LIST TO FIND THE FEW I HAVE REPORTED.

I HAVE REPORTED MANY OF THEM IN FTM 2008 AND AGAIN IN FTM 2009 —SO FAR ONLY THIS ONE SEEMS TO BE IN THE PROCESS OF CORRECTION

THESE BUGS RESULT IN REPORTS BEING GENERATED THAT ARE INCORRECT—-THIS IN TURN MAKES THE REPORTS UNUSABLE AND IF PEOPLE ARE USING THESE REPORTS THEY SHOULD KNOW THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMMING ERRORS IN THEM AND THE REPORTS THEY ARE GENERATING AND ARE ASSUMING ARE CORRECT ARE IN ACTUALITY WRONG/INCORRECT

can’t figure out how to start a new family tree, says start new one or work with current, but no way to figure out new one…. I am new to copmuter skills, so perhaps is just me.

Loved the All-in-One Chart that was in version 7.0. Was hoping to have it back with 2009 update. Please consider All-in-One again.

I received an e-mail on September 9 to receive a free copy of the 2009 version but when I clicked on the icon to import it I received a message that so many had responded that the system was overcome and I would receive an e-mail in a few days to receive it. I have never received another memo.

It would be nice if Michelle or somebody else could give us all an update how all the poor programming that still exits in FTM2009 will be corrected or at least an update, although I appreciate the free update offer debacle took a lot of man hours up and still people are asking how / why they have not received their e-mail.

Michelle, quick question I have had FTM for several years, (back to version 3 or 4 I believe), I also have many data cd’s that I purchased with my various versions of FTM, but I cannot figure out how to search my cd’s (such as passenger lists), from FTM 2009, can you help?
Steve

When was Carlos Bill manickchand born and Who is Mrs. Manickchand?
Who is Carlos Bill manickchand to ME?

When was Carlos Bill manickchand born and Who is Mrs. Manickchand?
Who is Carlos Bill manickchand to ME?
When WAS MITRA MICHEAL PAUL SEUNARINE born?
WHO IS MITRA SEUNARINE TO ME?

Alana

What are you talking about?

I currently have FT 2005.
I would like it if when in the family section, my line of all of the kids would be highlited.

That is, when I go back, I input all of the children of a grandparent. However, when several generations back, and updating, how do I know which is my ancestor?

I would like to know why you do not make ancestry operate on the Mac os tiger system .I would like very mutch to use it has i have on windows in the past but I now have a MacBook .

Regards
Tom Scott

I’m interested in seeing the capabilities of publishing my family information to a website and the look-n-feel capabilities.

FTM will only be useful to me when it is possible to easily synchronize it with the on-line tree. Trying to re-enter everything that I have on line into a local program would take far more time than I have.

The plus to FTM is that I can back it up locally.

Does the new Family Tree let you add more than one source to an event?

I think we need a way to edit places in the master list much easier. We should be able to look up and see if we have Seneca County, Ohio and have the optio to mass edit it to Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio for example.

Also, can there be a way to use the bold, underline and colored fonts options in the notes pages so that they print out much nicer??? This would be FABULOUS!!!

I hope you can direct me to use FTM 2009 in the family view format. I’ve not been able to find the feature in FTM 2009. FTM 2009 is much better than FTM 2008. It has many of the same features but it seems to function much better

I am adopted so have 2 mothers, 2 fathers, etc. 1) Can you handle the 2 mothers and 2 fathers? 2) Can I print charts with both mothers and both fathers on it?

3) how do I “attend?” 4) What is the cost?

4) There is a free update? How can I get updated?

Hi, when there is a information about the wedding/marriage how do you add it to the marriage specifically? Or does it go on both members? FTM2009 differs from 16 in this way unless I’ve missed the link. Thanks, looking forward to my first webinar. Bev

Will all of my information, including attached photos, etc., on my FTM 2008 transfer successfully to FTM 2009 if I install the 2009 vewrsion? Do I need to do anything to version 2008 before I install 2009?

Questiion 2: Does Family tree Maker 2009 contain tutorials?

FYI: I have already received 2009.

Karen

The prepositions used in the Publisher portion do not make sense - especially the use of “in.”

Is there a limit to the number of records the new version will handle? I’m having a problem merging several trees into one, and wondered if the issue is a maximum number of records. They aren’t a problem in the 2008 version.

I have Family tree 2007. If I buy a new one how hard is it to transfer the information to 2009 and can it be done when it is downloaded.

Is there a way to copy the screen that appears with information from a Web search on a particular person, e.g., a census report page? I could easily do that in FT 2008, and would use it to work from offline without having to print/save it for all time.
Thanks,
Lindy

FTM 2005 had the capability to generate a calendar showing selected birthdays. If FTM 2009 has this capability, I cannot fine it. If it does not, can it be added?

1. When I do a search for a specific date range and name why do I get 18.000 possibles with a range of over 100 years and all kinds of names. Most names nothing like what I’ve set the search for.
2. The information I need from a few states hasn’t been added, SC, Ga, Tenn., parts of Ala. and NC.
I’ve gotten more information from my sister who lives in SC and has a Church of Later Day Saints Library,

Normally FTM which is sold as the AUST & NZ Versionincludes a limited subscription to ancestry.com.au but its for UK records only which is ambiguous as in is sold as the Aust & NZ version with a 3 or 6 months subscription to ancestry.com but is doesnt include access to Aust of NZ records only uk.
Secondly if one has an existing UK membership its is difficult,cumbersome and impossible to extend your ” existing” membersip by the ” gift ” 3 months .

How do I import or export my tree from Ancestry.com to Family Tree Maker 2009?
Thank you

I have lots of names but now I would like to know what procedures to use to finally get a book printed the best way to share with family members. I would appreciate your suggestions.

I have used FTM since pre 2005 and usually update each year. when we went from FTM 2006 (ver 16) to FTM 2008. The export /import of info was very cumbersome and most place description info was not transferred directly across and involved numerous hours of manual input Why ?
The web search function via FTM 2008 is overlly slow & cumbersome and it is often quicker and more stable to log out of ftm and login into Ancestry.com.au direct. which deafts the purpose of wen search and inturn loses the ability to merge,web clip, & copy.

I would love to use the on-line features at Ancestory.com to make books, but I will not as they do not stay in sync with the desktop version. Until this huge oversight is corrected, I will be limited to using the desktop version only as I just don’t have the time to make changes in both places simultaneously. Thus, I really need to have the ability to create books (like we used to be able to do) on the desktop version. This is nothing complex, just the ability to group a bunch of reports together and save that grouping. If I could keep the desktop book in sync with the on-line book, then I would use both.

Will you ever create a FTM version for Apple computers. I am currently maintaining a seperate Pc just for FTM but the Mac is so much better. I have a version of REUNION on my Mac but it is not nearly as good as FTM. Please do it!

Bill Winfrey -bwinfrey@consolidated.net

Why is it when I search on your website for a specific person and provide exact information, the responses provided include names of other persons, birth and death dates ranging 50 yrs, etc. I sometimes find it somewhat frustrating having to go through 500,000 names when I asked for a specific spelling, within a specific timeframe.

Otherwise, I enjoy using your program and have found many interesting facts about my family. Keep up the good work

I would like to have the ability to include more items in the reports, ie date and place christened or baptized,date and place of burial, occupation, etc. Is this a possibility in the near future? It seems like we have lost this capability in the more recent versions of FTM. It was convenient to have all of this information available when printing an Outline Descendant Report, for example.

I have FTM 2008 loaded. If I load the 2009 CD, will all other 2008 components that are currently loaded operate the 2009 CD? Is the 2009 CD all I will need to install?

Is there a way to import information typed into the charts on Ancestry.com into my Family Tree Maker 2009 Charts?

I have FTM 05′can I download the 09′ and everything will be filled in correctly?

I had an older version of Family Tree Maker (not 2008) before I purchased the current version. (2009) In the ancestors view (family tree view) of the older version, I was able to add the words “continued on page 12″, (or whichever page number I wanted to put on there)to each of the ancestors on the last row of each page. This was really helpful when I printed the ancestor tree as it showed which page the last ancestors listed continued on and I could just turn to that page. I can no longer do that with the new version. If I do add it, it shows in ALL the boxes, not just the last row of boxes and I can’t adjust the number. Is there a way to do it in this new version? I’ve tried everything. Thanks.

I would like to know how others have faired installing the FTW 2009 in a windows vista os; I have been afraid to install the new FTW update because it seems like everything I load on my vista machine ends up causing issues; stop errors, BSOD, etc. This might not be the correct forum for my question, so would appreciate any leads in the proper direction. Thanks!

1 When wil we be able to sort reports like we could in older versions.
2 When will we be able to create and print books as ih older version (ie self publish, not over the internet)

It would be extremely valuable to have two-way synchronization between Family Tree Maker and the ancestry.com web site. I find that the most frustrating part of the process. Any chance of getting that function soon?

Is there a simple way to edit a report which has been sent to file. I would like to insert photos and also, in some cases, edit or modify the text.

Bob

Will it ever be possible to have a user-friendly sort function of search results for records?
It’s so tough to sift through all the records that it discourages me a lot.

How can I print the index of individuals without using so much paper? The 2006 version lets you do this on a landscape format and lets you pick what information you want to include….

It is possible to merge duplicates or find duplicates in the online members of my tree?

I am disappointed because I thought I can use Unicode fonts to input since our language (Vietnamese), even though a Latin-base type, requires special accent marks on the vowels.
I can input names properly but they are converted to codes the next time I access the program.
Can you make the program save AS IT inputs?
Thanks

I am new to FTM and have the 2009 deluxe edition. We have a family tree that was created by someone else and need to make changes to it. It shows my husband married to someone else. I have tried to edit it but can’t figure out how.

Is there a way when updating or changing my family tree at home and at ancestry.com without typing data into both of them? Sometimes I’ll update my tree at home, then forget to update my tree at Ancestry.com

Bill Nov 05,2008

After downloading FTM 2009 I have the next problem. When I open a page of a person in my family tree (some pages and not all pages) and I will make a print.
I have a choise to make 5 types of prints. I order to make a print of Family Group Sheet for that person, than I see a page in the colour grey/black with the text “the document does not contain any pages”
My question: What was happened and what I have to do to repair this page

with the best regards

Jan G. Oldenziel

Q - Can 2009 allow you to print the entire tree to a PLOTTER and not individual sheets? For framing!
Q - Can you build a tree template that looks like a tree growing up? Not a fan going down or upsidedown tree.
Q - Can we be allowed to post our tree to our own webserver? Security issues with a www post!
Thanks for all you do!

When attempting to update my family tree I seem to have trouble with my sources scrambling. They go to the wrong names. What is causing this?

Will the new version of Family Tree Maker allow you to copy an Outline Descendant Tree and paste it into a Word document without jutting the contents?

I have almost 2000 stories and nearly 1000 pictures in my family tree on Ancestry.com. Do I have to copy each of these individually to my Family Tree Maker software or is there some way to copy my tree as it is from Ancestry.com? That would be a huge help for me and really the main reason I would switch to this product.

When attempting to update my family tree I seem to have trouble with my sources scrambling. They go to the wrong names. What is causing this? Now I have to put info on FTM seperatly.

I m having a problem with the entry of surnames in version 2009, which did not occur with earlier versions. In my ethnic background, in addition to an official surname, families carry a second “house name”, through generations. I have entered these always as SMITH(Jones). Version 2009 treats only Jones as the surname. I can manually correct each entry. BUT - when the given name also contains a nickkname, as in John James “Jim” SMITH(Jones),the whole thing goes haywire, refuses either the nickbname or the compound urname, and I cannot manually override. Any suggestions? How to handle this surname issue?

with this new version of family tree maker can i go to my home page at ancestry.com and download my whole family tree I have already built? That’s why I bought the product. I assumed it would be that easy. I have found it difficult as I have to add each member slowly and it’s not fun to do what I have already done on line.
rod foster

Where can I send a check to get the 2009 software nd subscribe Usa and Canada Ancestrey .com

Where can I send a check to get the 2009 software nd subscribe Usa and Canada Ancestrey .com

What are the differences between the new FTM and the last edition?

I bought one a while back and there were no basic differences.

Thanks

I would like to print out the Time Line under person. I do not have vista and if someone knows please give me directions. I really feel this should be printable if it isn’t.

I have updated to FTM 2009 from 2008. I was disappointed to see the book build facility still online to Ancestry.
Could a patch be put into 2009 to allow a choice to book build offline on the home PC for the sake of ensuring accuracy firstly and secondly privacy. Later a decision could be made to upload to Ancestry.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to be able to update a CD when I add data to FTM. In the past, you had to use a new CD each time and could not use one that you had old data on. Make it work like the older version where you could update a floppy when you added new data to your file. The newer computers do not have a floppy drive.

Can I remove FTM 2008 from my computer since I now have FTM 2009? My disc space is limited.

I have FTM 16. In the past I researched and entered four separate family trees with the same surname as I was not sure they were related. I have now determined they were brothers and would like to merge the four trees without having to re-enter the data. How do I do this? Thank you.

When can we expect to see a Mac version? Thanks

Hi, I received my FTM 2008 as a gift and not thinking ahead I started to input information for both my husband’s side of the family and my side in one tree. I now realize that I have far too much information for just one tree. What I should have done was start two separate trees one for my husband’s side and one for mine. Is there anyway I can split my one huge family tree into two or even more smaller ones? Is this something that will be possible in the 2009 FTM? Thanks.

Why haven’t the Border crossing from Mexico records been fixed so that we can actually use some of them. There should be a button added to rotate the record…it’s a real hassle to try to read these upside down…also, so many errors by the translators…BC stands for Baja California NOT BRITISH COLUMBIA…how about hiring people that actually can read Spanish or give the user someway to change the most obvious errors…

When entering placenames in the USA the data accepts town, township, county, state. When entering Canadian placenames using towns, township, counties and provinces I frequently get an error message.
It will accept town, county and province, but not the townships.
Please give our Canadian geography more clout!
A source of excellent Ontario placenames (historic and modern) can be found at the website for Ontario Locator http://www.geneofun.on.ca/ontariolocator
This has been an amazing tool for tracing Ontario records.

ONE: A suggestive enhancement and a follow-up to Tony’s #18 about the green leaves. The leaves should remain active until viewed and either accepted or rejected at which time disappear. Upon a new match the leaf would re-appear.
TWO: Charts. A person has multiple relations leading to children from several. One relationship leads to marriage. How would someone looking at the chart determine if any or all were relationships or marriages?
THIRD: Web search often is faster using Ancestry.com.
QUESTION: How to merge data directly from Ancestry.com into FTM2009
LAST (for now): Keep up the great work. My compliment in for asking for feedback and
kudos to all working on FTM software.

FTM 2008 responded very slowly when data was typed in, so I went back to FTM 16. I have installed FTM 2009, but have not used it yet.

Q - I have numbered the sources, instead of only having the source names, and have almost 1000. Is there a way to search the sources when adding a source to see if it has already been used instead of adding it again with a new source number?

Q - Is there some way to identify direct ancestors - a specific marker or color code? The only way to identify direct ancestors now is to begin at the present generation and work backwards, writing names down as you go. It is impossible to identify the direct ancestor when beginning with earlier generations and working down to the present generation. If the direct ancestor were identified, it would let one know which child in a family to concentrate on researching for new data.

When the free for 2009 version came around I was not able to get my free version. You sent me some links that did not work, so I am using 2008 version.

Is it possible to print a monthly calendar with birthday and anniv dates as I did with the Family Tree Maker Deluxe edition?

I use the keyboard for navigation and avoid the mouse as much as possible. It appears that the ability to use the keyboard has almost disappeared. Why is this? The keyboard is more accurate and faster under most circumstances.

I bought the new FTM 2009 and was very disappointed as I had problems loading it on to my main PC and my laptop - your tech team helped me sort out a .NET Framework problem but even now FTM2009 sometimes closes due to a problem and I also cannot register my copy on either PC or laptop which means I cannot get a live connection with Ancestry.com - a new copy was being sent out to me in case I had a faulty CD but to date it hasn’t arrived.
I have never encountered problems with FTM 2005

I hope this new program has the ability to list on the Index a person surnames–surname for the father and surname for mother. Example: Salvador Jorge Blanco.
The Index will list him as “Blanco” instead of “Jorge.”
In Latin America and also in Europe both surnames are always use. I will like the ability for the Index to list it using my example as “Jorge Blanco, Salvador”. Thanks!

The relationship calculator does not look for further connections. My great-grandparents share several relations, but the relationship calculator only follows the male relations. There are closer connections through the female lines.
ALSO, the previous FTM had an All-In-One chart, can the 2009 version have one also?

I received my 2009 FTM and as a loyal customer to FTM since Banner Blue owned it I was delighted. I loaded my files from my 2008 onto it and began using it. Not long after it crashed and I kept getting the message that it has encountered a problem and needs to close. I kept trying to open it and kept getting the same message. Well needless to say I had to delete it and go back to using my 2008 version and haven’t had any problems with it. Can someone please tell my why in all these years the 2009 version did this? I have emailed and also wrote a letter, but nobody has replied to my problem. Help!

I have Family Tree Maker 2006 which I bought to upgrade from my 2004 Family Tree Maker. Is there anyway when we buy the kit and spend $300/yr to join the website that we can get free updates each year? I keep clicking on update and it says it is updated.
Thanks

It’s a big job tackeling this new 2009 program, after using FTM since 2000, with my last upgrade being 2006. The 2009 family group sheets print out “yucky” with all the duplication of information and all the lines dividing individual information. Haven’t been able to get family group sheets to not separate individual person’s information at the bottom of the page and getting to talk with someone is “the pits”. Help is needed promptly.
Thanks,
Leaton Clark
Austin, TX

I would like to be able to customize the data error report. I get data errors generated because “born more than 20 years after the marriage occurred”. Let’s face it, in the early 1800’s it was common to marry at a young age and births 20 years after the marriage were happening. I’m frustrated I can’t customize the data error report to ‘tweak’ this.

I use FTM to search for information. From the program itself when you click on the individuals name you can do a web search which brings up birth, marriage, death, service records. There can be hundreds of birth records for a name and I would once I’ve found a birth record I would like to skip foward to a death record but you have to scroll through hundreds of birth records first. Can that be simplified. I see where you can change the search name but the drop down doesn’t include topics such as service record, divorce, as a search iem.

Will the new FTM 2009 be able to be used will a MAC.

I have been trying to find anything about my biological Dad but he has a common name - Smith! What are some ways to search by his full name? I have been a meber of FTM since 2000 and have spent untold hours searching. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I would like to be able to copy (Any method) and paste my tree or portions thereof into a document (Email or other) to send to other family members etc. In earlier versions this was possible but I cannot get this to work now. Everything else is good.

Why, Oh Why did we lose the functioality of being able to add an index to a Descendant Report in FTM 2009 (and 2008)? For this reason I still much prefer to use FTM 16 and therefore cannot gain the benefits of FTM 2009.

Do you plan to reinstate the scrapbook into 2009 edition of family tree maker?

I’m still using FTM16 in addition to FTM 2009 because I need the calendar feature. This requires a lot of time doing double entry. Do you plan to make this feature available soon?

Is it possible to print a registry report with footnotes instead of endnotes? If so, how? If not, can you add this feature? When working with a long family file, footnotes are much easier for both author and reader than endnotes.
Thank you
Tom Frank

I’m using Family Tree Legends (FTL) which, as you know, is out of business. However, we have over 15,000 photos attached to the “Scrapbooks” within the program. We want to switch to Family Tree Maker 2009 but do not know how to (other than manually one-by-one) bring the scrapbook files over to the new program. Help!

Why does the change order of wives not reflect in reports. I change the order of wives always listing the last wife first but the reports do not change the order. Why?

I have received FTM 2009 but have not yet installed it. I upgraded from FTM 2005 to FTM2008 last year. However I have not yet uninstalled FTM 2005. I am glad i did not because I find FTM 2008 difficult to work with, and have been using my old version for any new updates. One thing that I liked the most about FTM 2005 and previous versions is that the initial point of entry is the Family Group Sheet for data entry and report generation. FTM 2008 screens show what were tree reports in the previous versions, which I find confusing and difficult to deal with. It seems as if FTM 2008 is trying to deal with too much data on just one screen. Will FTM 2009 allow me to focus on the Family group Sheet first, like previous versions?

Will there be more webinairs? i am out of town on Nov 19.

Recently we have been going to the German version of FTM; where we (naturally ??) find the pages in German.

Is there any consideration regarding offering a ‘Translated’ link on the page(s) for an English version?
Thanks

OOPS! Meant the German pages of Ancestry.com over to Ancestry.de.
Chuck

I have just reviewed most of the 300+ comments made about FTM2009. Very interesting that my beef shows up numerious times.
My Beef: Why can I not produce a ‘Book’ report like the one I can with FTM 2006?
I spent a number of months back in 2005 testing different software packages and when I received FTM 2006 and tested it … I had a program that provided at least a 90% fit. I bought FTM 2008 expecting a major up-grade that would hold with the quality of FTM 2006. FTM 2008 was/is a major disaster … less functionality, less intuitive, many tab, tab, tabs … I returned FTM 2008 for refund. I buy FTM 2009 and I find all the faults that arrived with FTM 2008 as well as many more.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PROGRAMERS???
If quality updates for FTM 2009 do not come soon, FTM 2009 will be returned for a refund?
What’s this about a ‘FREE’ upgrade?
I’ll stay ‘tuned in’ to see what results happen from all the previous complaints!!!

Cheers,
Wig

I use FTM 2009 on my computer but also have my family tree on ancestry.com. Is there a way when searching to add found information to both FTM on my computer AND update the tree on ancestry.com at the same time?

How do I get all the background notes I have made on individual ancestors into the book without copying onto a separate sheet then scanning & entering into the scrabook as an object?

Sorry. I have just realised that the comments are supposed to be about FTM 2009.

I have FTM 2005 but judging by the comments made above about ‘new improved versions’ I consider myself lucky I bought that rather than a later one. I think I’ll hold off the 2009 version for now.

I like the FTM2009 version very much but I cant help notice the lack of the calendar report which I find very usefull.
I’m certain You are releasing it in a future update because it’s an essencial feature.

How does one show an illegitimate child in a tree

Thank you. What is a “webinar”
Regards
Roy Burge

I’m fairly new to all this; some of my husbands family members were born in Drogheda, Ireland. What’s the best way to trace Irish records please?

I have received the upgrade to FTM 2009 which I have installed on my laptop. The laptop access’s the internet via a VPN through a corporate firewall and I find that the new version will not allow me to go online so is not much use to me during the day. I can only use it on a different machine which connects directly to the internet. As my current version (FTM16) works happily over the VPN and through the firewall, are there any plans to allow FTM2009 to also work via firewalls/VPN’s ?

How much they does the new Family Tree cost.

Type your comment here.

The calenders are gone. Why?

I miss the calendar feature of 2005. Also it would be nice to be able to have a report sorting the birthdays by month and last names.

I have an older version and while using it I managed to place members in the wrong fields. I put them in the correct place but was unable to delete the mistake. I’d be glad to know how to remove them please? Thanking you, M Healy

I have used
ancestry.com before never got exactally what I needed. Merlene Smith merl@numail.org.

I think the timelines are great, but do not know who to print them. Will you discuss how to print timelines?

In the older versions of Family Tree Maker you were able to scan a picture etc directly into the media area, but with the new versions 2008 2009 this option has been eliminated. The new versions requires many more steps to scan photo’s. I have many pictures to scan and the new versions just don’t make it productive to use.

I have trouble with the search on the hints. It gives me hints when I already have that link (ie 1980 census) attached to that person.

I addittion when merging link to person, it overrides the residency. Example> have 1880 census and get hint for 1850 census. In the merging section it offers to preferred and the other alternate or ignor. If I ignor than how does it link anyway?

Thanks to #112. I agree with the black hole theory. Some of the comments and questions are no longer on the blog. My question is no longer shown. It was about the difference between FTM 2005 and FTM 2009. I could take my tree and copy it to screen and send it to relatives before but not now. I could move information up to 2008 and to 2009 but could not move it back to 2005 to use the copy send feature available then.

I went from the 2005 version to 2009. In the 05 version you could save your tree charts as a pdf file (one large chart). I can’t figure out how to do that in the new version.

I have a question about “merging” census “media” to an individual. Why can’t FTM automatically link the same media to each member of the family, when we go through the family merge sequence? Seems redundant to have to go to each family member and perform the “merge” function.

Thanks.

Can I import my family tree I have created on Ancestery.com to my Family tree Maker?

With the 2006 version, there was a capability backing up online which was a servic that was charged for.

I have not been able to find such a capability in either 2008 or 2009 versions.

Also, the “user web page” feature appears to have been abandoned. This was a great way to share info and I connected with several long lost relatives because of it.

The offline BOOK feature MUST be brought back and the sooner the better. I have a number of family books started in FTM 2006 and would like to finish them but it is gone from both 2008 and 2009.

It may be my resistance to change factor but I liked the GUI far better in 2006. It flowed so well and was so easy to navigate.

When are you going to make the unique number for each individual available for users??

Is family Treemaker 2009 available for U.K subscribers. I have tried unsuccessfully to order a copy on several occasions, but the order has been declined.

How do I keep from repeatedly merging in the same data uncovered in a search? When I come back to FTM after a few weeks of not using, and I view my tree in the family view and I see all these little leaves, so I click on them and then after the search function shows me what it has found, I go ahead and click to merge the data into my existing person in my tree to only realize later that I have merged in the exact same data MULTIPLE times to the same person. Why doesn’t the software already realize that I have merged that data in and either stop offering it to me as a match or somehow visually flag it (or grey out) as having already been merged.

How do I add valid place names?
The software doesn’t find the name of the town in it’s database that my ancestors were born in, but I know where it is on the map.
Is there a function for me to enter place names?

I would like to see added to the help files if not covered in this webinar the following;

1) how to deal with un-wed parents of children. the adults are not spouses so they shouldn’t be entered that way.

2) moving children between step or half parents. when I accidently assign a child to a mother and father pairing but then need to change which wife of the father that they were born to, that process is challenging and I repeatedly mess it up

When merging in Census data, the residency data should come with it. In the left hand margin of the actual census form (in the US) is the specific street and house number of the individual. this would make mapping much more accurate.

2009 Webinar Question: How do I put in a person’s AKA so that it shows that person twice in the index? Thanks!

I would love to see an interface with a scanner to be able to scan in a stack of old family photos directly into FTM. Also, do you know of any software that can keep track of the scanned backside of a photo along with the front side? There is oftentimes SO much great data on the backside of a photo that I want to keep a scanned copy of the backside electronically linked with the scan of the frontside of the photo. Could FTM do that in the future?

2009 Webinar Question: I have been reluctant to add media to my database for fear of making my file size very large (often a cause of file corruption). Are the media files stored outside the main database file? Is so, is there a media file default directory?

What happen to the calender in 2006.
Is it going to come back, my family loved it.

FTM 2009 is much improved over the 2008 version, but I cannot merge duplicate individuals. I ran that operation once and thought I had merged only to find the data untouched and the original list, now far insufficient, unchanged. No new duplicate individuals can be added and none have been deleted. It is frozen in time. Do I need a replacement or have to download a patch?

The second question is that I am running a second album which really should be incorporated into my main data base very soon. How do I do that? I cannot find any documentation to instruct me in that process, and considering the problem I am having with the merging of duplicate individuals as specified in the first paragraph, I am doubtful that this can be done. Am I right? Hope not..

Hi, I still have FTM 2005 running, I have FTM 2008 running and now have the FTM 2009 running. I was impressed with FTM from the start of my use and still am. There are some things that were easier to navigate and search in the 2005 but the 2009 has worked very well without any crashing or problems. Now, with confidence I will delete the older versions since all data has been uploaded to 2009.

Q. Can FTM 2009 be made with the availability to move tree files to Notepad making it possible to put the tree into an email or Word letter?

Can FT2009 ad thumbnails within the Family Tree as with the Family Tree on your web site. It is nice to scroll back to the 1600’s, 1500’s, 1400’s and see your family thumbnails on the tree. Nice also when printing the tree that these thumbnails are attached to each person on your tree to see.

Where has the calendar printout gone. I used that once every year and never dreamt that it would be missing when I upgraded.

I will spend hours putting family information onto my FTM 2009 program. I save,close, and reopen later only to not find the information there.
I also get an error message upon reopening the program saying that I did not close the program properly. Lastly this new program dose not seem to automatically merge people if I enter someone more than once.

It would be extremely valuable to have two-way synchronization between Family Tree Maker and the ancestry.com web site. I find that the most frustrating part of the process. Any chance of getting that function soon?

Terrible program, worst investment I mad with Family Tree Maker. Went back to using my 16 version.

1. Why does it take so long to load the program?
2. When comparing the size of type face between my old 2005 FTM and the new 2009, I find it very hard to read. Is there any way to increase the size of type?
3. There are too many “boxes” on the 2009 version - it is too confusing.

This is terrible. Tell me if I remove this 2009 version will I lose my version 16 and its information. Would really like a refund of my money!

1. Is there an upgrade for those who are using the 2008 version?

2. I have all of my family tree together. Is there a way to separate out the individual families without retyping it all?

I thought that 2009 was going to include the feature of being able to produce/publish a book from your desktop and not having to go out to ancestry.com.

I am very interested in knowing if and when you plan to release a mac-friendly version. Please comment. thank you.

Will there be a recording of the webinar so that it can be viewed later? The timing (2 am my time) is not great for me, as I live in Norway - 6 hours ahead.
Look forward to hearing about all the features that are coming back, and give me a way to continue loving the program. So far, I have been extremely frustrated with 2008 and all the missing features !

Is it me? I bought FTM so I could email gedcom files only I haven’t figured out how to do this? Hold my hand please and tell me how to accomplish this. Thanks GB

I paid over 30 pounds for my copy of FT2008 and was disappointed with some of the aspects particularly the charts. Here only 12 months on is FT2009 promising to put right all the things that people thought needed to improve it. Why is this not coming to us as a free patch? Is this not just another way of taking yet more money from us.? Surely we already pay lots of money to Ancestry through subscriptions.

FTM 2009 is by far the worst program you have ever published. I understood that you were going to be able to publish your book from the desktop, but you are still forcing us to pay the extremely over inflated prices of your book service. I recently had a book printed and bound, (114 pages) with pictures and hard cover for $68.00. I will have to go back to my FTM ver 16. PLEASE give us an alternate to publish.

I am in Australia and because of the time difference may not be able to be able to listen. I will try but if it is not possible, would there be a site where I could listen to the Webinar afterwards?

Have used family tree for years love it but not 2009. Is there a way to save your file to open it in a older verison of family tree maker and still have all your info and pictures ??I have added a lot of info and pictures since buying 2009 and like to go back to my older verison till I under stand 2009 better.

After loading FTM 2009 all my imput from FTM 2008 was imported into 2009 except the family pictures. Is there a way to copy my pictures from 2008 to 2009?

W.D. Martin

Why is it that sometimes after entering info into the facts fields, I can go back later and it is not there. Also, how can I find sources that I have already entered?

I would like to know how one would enter less than standard information. Ie I have someone who has five children all from different mothers. He has only married one of them. How do I enter that?

How does one enter a transgender individual?

I used to be a FTM 2006 user but I have recently taken to “cluster” genealogy using trees.ancestry.(ancestry.com.au member)

I have a UK village and am trying to ‘model’ all the inhabitants mentioned in Census, BMD and PRs from other sources.

I find ancestry trees online invaluable because I can link a particular census family to a family in my tree really quickly (all the family memebers entries are merged in one go)- I assume FTM 09 will only merge one person from ancestry at once ? If it did all memebers I’d be interested.

Otherwise if you could ’sync’ between FTM and trees online (both ways) I could use each to its strengths. trees online is not very good in the ‘clean’ up as it takes many clicks to achieve certain things (Merging 2 individuals within your tree fro example)

This might be the best thing because sometimes I would access my online tree from a PC where I do not have FTM installed
Another thing I also did was use genopro on the gedcom downloaded from ancestry to produce a report listed in a similar way to the census - this means I could identify areas to be cleaned up and census entries not captured - Can ancestry produce ad-hoc reports like this now ?

Also does trees online plan to introduse WIKI-like features ? I can see it as the next stage in collaboration - I have identified numerous other Ancestry members also tracing people within my village and I feel a WIKI option would allow shared events, publications to be shared. These people have a shared interest in these facts even though our ancestrose are not related (not within the documented era anyway - who knows if you could go further back)

to sum up:
1. can merging from ancestry merge whole famialies census to each memeber of the family from a particuar census entry in one go

2. Can BMD and other entries me merged )(not avaialable in ancestry.com.au at the moment)

3. Can the FTM database be synced bothe ways with an online member tree ?

4. How good is FTM’s ad hoc reporting (particularly in census oreder)

5. Does ancestry member trees online plan WIKI like functionality ?

This is a very basic question. I have been working on my family tree since about May 2008, and have about 55+ people. I just now bought Family Tree Maker, though I am not sure why, but I hoped it would somehow improve my whole family tree making experience. Does it add to how good your tree will be, and if so, how? And most of all, how can I get all the work that I did on ancestry.com to get over into my family tree maker, and where should I work from when I am researching and entering new info, FTM or Ancestry.com? If one or the other, how to move the new info to the other one?
As you can see, I am a super neophyte.

Sorry, that was 550+ not 55+ people in that last post.

I would like to know how you move your tree information from Ancestry.com into Family Tree Maker without completely retyping? I belong to Ancestry and I also own Family Tree Maker, but I have tons of information on Ancestry and just purchased Family Tree Maker. Thanks, Vickie Gregory Fuller

Some of the many things I do NOT like about FTM 2009:

1. The format for information is so vastly different from FTM16 that it is confusing for me. Change is not necessarily a good thing when you have entered thousands of names with info a certain way. To “change” slows me down…and my time is very valuable. I can’t afford you!

2. Menu choices are limited and confusing. The ones I want are no longer there, or are too difficult to find. FTM16 was much better.

3. Who gives a rip about having more fonts and colors if the whole program is too confusing to use? I just want to input my data and get it right. You could update the fonts without changing everything else in the format!!

4. Who do you think owns my information? When I create a report in 2009, I cannot copy and paste to another document (such as Word), and I cannot delete information I don’t want others to see. This info is MINE, and I am forced to continue to use FTM16 so I can print reports MY way, not yours. You need to stop trying to control MY data for me.

5. When entering data, it takes forever! I like FTM16 because all the info is on one page and I can click and type. Now you have me clicking here and there and entering one item at a time. It takes WAY too long! What was wrong with the FTM16 format? Why can’t you update that program for those of us who wish to have it back with a few upgrades? Someone referred to it as the “classic” view. I like the classic view!

I don’t need a list of names on the left side of my screen while I am trying to work. I don’t need info on the right side either. I would just like to see a large family page like I had in FTM 16. I would like to click a box and type the data in the box. Is that simplicity too much to ask for?

6. I do not use the 2009 program very often because I get angry every time I open it and try to work. I have given this program a fair shot, and wish someone would contact me with something I can use. If not, it’s backward to FTM16 for me.

7. I realize I wasted $160 with FTM 2008 and 2009. I could not get 2008 to run on my machine, so like a fool I went back out and purchased 2009. I attempted to get the “patch”, but the 08 program would not let me do that on my new computer. I really would like to have my money back for 08 since I have NEVER used it? Any ideas on that? I thought I had to have the upgrades! Wrong! I wish you would give us an “upgrade” that would allow us to revert our new info back to FTM16.

You have not done me any favors with this new program, but ENJOY! It is the last time I will purchase a program from you unless you give me something fast in the form on a sensible solution to my problems and concerns!!! I want the old format and ease of use. This program is NOT EASY TO USE! Hate to break it to you!

In reading these posts, I see I am not alone. Maybe you need 2 programs….one for those who have used the FTM programs for years and only want some upgrades to the existing format, and another program for the newbies who like what you are doing as you play around with technology and what you think everyone wants to see. Some of us don’t want to totally change and learn a new format. I also don’t want you thinking you control my info and I can’t print or copy my info without your permission. I am not planning to use your program to create a book necessarily, but would like to print various parts with ease. If I do wish to print a book, I want to control and print it, NOT leave it to you to do for me. I have no plans to post all my data to the website.

I wonder if you will even attempt to make me happy this year. If not, PLEASE be kind enough to send an e-mail stating that you have no plans to do anything I will like. That will answer lots of questions for me and I can go back to the “old” way!

By the way, an upgraded program should not be so complex that I have to read a manual to do the basics I have been doing! I refer to the manual for the more complex things I wish to do. You have taken the simple and made them time-consuming and no longer “fun”.

In addition, your website has changed and is not as easy to maneuver. Takes far too long to pull up the various family trees for an individual. My computer is new and has great memory, so that’s not the problem…..but your website takes too long for my DSL and new computer capabilities. Before you publish a 2010 version, you might wish to get all these problems straightened out and quit trying to reinvent the wheel! You are trying to make too many people happy, but in the process you are losing some long-standing customers….as we cannot trust you at this point. Show us something soon!

Hope your webinar is recorded and made available for us all. Thanks!

Cindy

After years of happily and successfully using FTM 2005 and 2006, I upgraded to FTM2009. It was a disaster. My computer crashed or hung up over and over, until I finally had to revert to the older FTM version. For example, when I tried to edit or add a FACT, FTM2009 shut down every time. It shut down at other times as well, but I could not clearly identify the pattern. When I use FTM 2006, no problems. A search on the internet for “FTM2009 crashing” showed numerous users with similar problems. Is a fix on the way?

When will there be a MAC version?

Also, I too, echo comment #293. I am still using Family Tree Maker 2005 because whenever I click on update to new version it tells me that there are no updates to install–how does one update to a new version? Is there some special magical button???

I hope the timeline has been improved form FTM 2005 and the weak, puerile ‘important’ items replaced with something relevant:

e.g. What on earth are the following doing on the timeline?

‘POW Jessica Lynch rescued by fellow US soldiers in Iraq’!!!!

‘Actor Arnold Schwarzeneger re-elected Governor of California’!!!!

Ellen #357

The last two webinars have been available for “replaying” some little time after the original was “broadcast”

The only difference is that you can’t post questions live so it becomes effectively a podcast

John D

John 348

The file format in FTM 2009 and FTM 16 are totally different, in fact you can run both programs on the same computer

John D

Ali #339

FTM 2008/09 links the media files so only the links add to the FTM file which are minute when compared with embedding images as you do up to version 16.

So link as much as you like

Note when you link you can either link to the image anywhere on your hard drive or make a copy of the image to the FTM media centre and then link from there

John D

Ray # 335
The description field (new in FTM 2008/09) is a good place to add a town that is not in the place name authority

So you may have

Place: Large town, country
Description: Small place or suburb

FTM will combine both in the People>Person View

John D

Royce # 328
It is new in FTM 2009 in the Share Menu

John D

I’d really like to see the calendar brought back or even a plug-in for Outlook that allowed us to “put” it on our calendar so we don’t forget Birthdays and other special events. I really miss the calendar as well.

I’d really like to see the calendar brought back or even a plug-in for Outlook that allowed us to “put” it on our calendar so we don’t forget Birthdays and other special events. I really miss the calendar as well.

Have you considered using the power of the vista indexing for pictures as well? For example, if we knew the database id for each individual, we can tag our 15,000+ pictures with this ID so Family Tree Maker can at least find and reference this pictures. Face recognition would also really help. Using names really doesn’t help when you have generations using the same names. If you put a red box around the picture in FTM, this could indicate that our pictures where found on your computer but are not imported into FTM and that they are not backuped up using the FTM backup. You’d want to not display the box when creating a photo album. Thank you.

When will we be able to get these inprovements on the UK version?

Hi I am having problems with my billing I paid up for A year August 2008 to August 2009.Now when I go to tree I get upgrade I only have one tree under my acount I called abot this I got this u have different trees ?I can,t get to the trees he mention to delete them The reason for that was A free subscription when I purchased a tree.Then I subscribed to Ancestry at 6 month till they took 1 year from my credit card so it is A strange thing that I have more than one tree I am only using one tree under Anniehall52 I am gonna talk to my legal advisor on this.

all photos that I had attached with individuals or family all ended up in the media folder and not associatedwith individuals I had attached them to in FTM 2006 when I converted to FTM 2009. Yu should not need to relink the photos to get the database back to the way it was. I tried this with xp and vista os’s.

will FTM ever be mac compatible? i have a mac
now as my primary computer and not having access to FTM is virtually putting me out of the
ancestry business.

I want to take a group photo and take the face of just one of the people in the photo and use that cropped face for a certain persons media page. their main photo to use in trees and group sheets.
i loved the older versions being able to do this soooo easily.
how is it done now?

Will all my information transfer easily from my current version, which is version 16 deluxe edition, to 2009 edition?

Why does Family Tree Maker’s drop down “FILE” menu not include the “standard” Windows items of “SAVE” and “SAVE AS”? There have been several times when I had been “playing” with a file and decided that I didn’t want the information that resulted. However, upon exiting, everything was saved, with no option to do otherwise!

1. When using information from several pages from a single book what is the best way to enter the source information?

2. My family history has been developed from what I call reliable sources. Now I have purchased a family history book which details one side of my family. The author has documented data which is in conflict with other sources. He states that he is aware of this conflict but feels his data is correct. How does one determine which data should be primary?

What do you do when children are born out of marriage, but you want to list the father? How can you show multiple fathers without making them married to the mother?

Can you enter more than address for an individual? FTM 2009 suggests that you can track an individual’s movements by using addresses but it is not clear how you enter the address information.

Also FTM 2009 has not done anything to deal with ‘Place’ info where the place name has been changed over time. A lot of towns and cities have been joined under new names or have become ghost towns or names have been changed because of changes in government.

Would like to see this offered at another time or available to replay via tape. I can’t make it on Wednesday nights.

What is being done in FTM2009 for those of us whom have spent hundreds and maybe thousands of hours developing books in previous FTM versions?

I have an older version (2004 or 05) at this time. Will the 2009 version give me all the up dates to this point or do I need to purchase all the older versions to be caught up?

I also would like to know when Family Tree Maker will be available for macs. As a medical illustrator, I exclusively use macs and have had to resort to elaborate vector drawn maps similar to genetic charts to record my family tree. I can only share them as PDFs and can’t import research done by others on my trees. I’ve been waiting for years for a mac version!

Have you made the 2009 FTM, Windows 2000 friendly? Cannot see by a new
OS when things are doing just fine.

I have used Family Tree Maker for a number of years. With some exceptions I have found is very adequate.
What I don’t understand is the various information site. There is Ancestry.com, Rootsweb.com, and others. If I buy into them, is one better than the others. Or is certan information only available on one and therefore I need to buy into all of them? Very confusing

Have used FTM for years on a PC. Now need to move files back and forth between a Mac and a PC. Will that work? If so, how?

Is this also applicable for europe

I purchased version 2008 about 6mos ago and finally got around to installing it last month-I keep trying but I can’t seem to register -I keep getting “there is a problem connecting to the registration server”message, I kept all the data, including the box, what do I do now-delete & reinstall???

I am in the long lasting process of writing a book and am afraid to update FTM for fear of what it my do to it. Also, I have a few $1000 worth of FTM World Family Tree volumes and have not been able to use them? Why?

When will there be a version for MAC

I hope that FTM 2009 will do the three following things:
1. Allow backup on a different drive from that where the primary database is located.
2. Allow the user to “color code” or use some other method to indicate where sufficient primary evidence as been obtained.
3. For primary lines (grandparents) have a color code to help thread through the database. With a large database it is difficult to thread through the generations, especially when going from older to younger.

Do you plan to bring back the genealogy or narrative report? It is the report that I consistently use and I’m holding onto my current version until you include it. It was one of your best features.

When are we going to be able to have a copy and past function, as well as, many of the features of Microsoft Word for an individual’s “NOTES SECTION”?

Most folks would like an import and export capability for this section too.
Thanks

I would like to know if it is possible to import media directly from my scanner to Family Tree Maker 9 - This option is not present when you select “add media”.

Please please let me split a file keeping all the records under that person - I record parents of the spouses and you dump them as they are not “descendents” - Provide us an option - When people send me a partial file I don’t get the parents of the spouses and we all want them

Hi,
I have a G Grandfather born 1866 unable to find his record. Wouldn’t he have had to produce one to get married? He did but with wrong names on it.

Would love to see an option added that would allow users to loop on the slideshow option of photos compiled under family members. Also by allowing for users to input music selectiond, this would be an excellent and enternaing feature that can be utilzed at family gatherings.

Looping slideshows to music of family members would be top on my list of new features/options. Also, Be nice if it could random loop slideshows on all photos of family members in a family tree. Call me if you need more detail.
561-740-2046.

How do I delete a photo from the personality file. I copied a photo fom My Pictures into the media file, the found it was not needed and tried to delete it but coudn’t find any process to do so.

Years ago when I began family tree I added my spouses family tree and over the years has gotten very large. My question is can I easly seperarte that branch of the family into a seperate tree by its self, without having to reenter all of the information?

What does FTM do for me? I have an Ancestry subscription and on my old computer I have FTM 2006. If I can remember correctly I was very confused why I would want FTM. I think I can remember that I had to retype all my information into the program?

I am still using FTM2006, as it offers me the “All-in-One” tree option. Has this feature been reimplemented in 2009? If not, I’ll be sticking with 2006

Will you ever offer an Imac compatible product?

i have been using ancestry.com for about 9 months now and have 3 trees and many duplicates. i don’t know the best way to merge the duplicates so that i don’t have to repeat work i have already done. just got family tree maker and am unable to use the trees i have or can’t figure out how to. help!!!!!!jane

I have a rather large family tree that has been built up over many years using Broderbund’s Family Tree Maker v.6. I wish to know if this tree can be read by and continued in the Ancestry Family Tree Maker if I were to purchase it?. It would be a very major task if I had to re-enter it manually.

Type your comment here.

Are you ever going to make Family Tree Maker Mac Compatable? There are so many Mac users.

Is the same thing going to happen on genealogy.com because that is the website I go on. Like the new tree maker stuff.

I echo numher 35. I’m on a Mac and would like to use the software.

I maintain my research on Family Tree Maker 2009. I have uploaded my tree to ancestry.com at the above site. I have added 4172 people, 992 photos and 101 stories. After doing all this work, I uploaded the lastest research from Family Tree maker and found that none of the photos or stories transferred. I don’t want to have to add them all over. Is there an easy way to merge the new research to the ancestry site without losing all the photos and stories???

Have enjoyed FTM for many, many yrs. Best prog. out there. (#1)The geographic location data is confusing. Without being able to input the word “county” with county name, it is hard to distinquish whether the geo. name is for a county or township. Would like to see this changed. (#2) Was wondering where my 2008 Update patch is. You offered an updated patch to my purch. FTM 2008.

I currently have FTM 16 on my machine. When FTW 2008 came out, I initially upgraded to it but, had some technical problems, the solution suggested was to turn off my firewall which was an unacceptable condition.

Also, I found that much of the functionality was taken from “in house” and was being routed to the Internet. That was also unacceptable. The end result was that I removed FTM 2008 from my machine and reverted back to FTM 16, then I gave my copy of FTM 2008 to an unsuspecting friend.

Can you tell me if full functionality as found in FTM 16 has been returned to the user for in house processing, printing, etc., including all the chart and book making features as found in FTM 16?

I recall at the time that FTM was saying they were heading in a new direction apparently to facilitate increased interaction with the Internet but that was/is not a way I want to go.

Thanks,

J. M. Bryant

How do you enter or connect a person in Family Tree Maker when that person is already entered.

Ex: Mary Smith is the daughter of Morris Smith. You are entering another family and discover that the same Mary Smith is the spouse of the son you are entering.

How do I transfer my photo’s from Picassa 3 into my family tree?

Somehow I have a few people showing multiple spouses even though they do not exist. They show no information, only a second or third spouse. I cannot find anywhere to delete these phantom individuals. Can you help?

What is the difference between Family Tree Maker and Family Tree Builder? I have used the latter (which still has a few bugs) - but it seems pretty cool nonetheless.

I have used family tree maker and have more than 1000 people on it. My computer failed and was replaced but I can not find the original disc I have the back up on floppy. Now the problem is how to use it.

How do you change the “Home Person” on a family tree in ancestry to reflect more current generations?

I currently use FTM version 10 and want to either upgrade or change to Legacy. I’m interested in what may be new/different in FTM 2009 and how it differs from Legacy.

I am wondering when I will be able to print out an index for smaller reports?
Thanks!

There should be a section so that you can add-edit text, comments and stories about each person in the tree that will be an option to print when you publish the tree or any of the reports. I would like to include brothers and sisters in some of the views to print. What about same sex relationships, adopted and foster children. More flexability about text to include in family group sheets and other forms for print.

I too agree on the many charts and trees comments. I have beta tested since version 4.5 and still cannot fully utilize 2009. During beta testing I repeatedly asked that the charts and trees all show the option to check a box which eliminates blank boxes. Very few people will know their ancestors back the same number of generations on all sides. This currently results in MANY empty boxes which make the charts and trees outrageously huge to print. I keep going back to my 2006 version to do this. This was one of the functionalities which initially brought me to FTM and which many people continue to use regularly however at this point, it is useless to most of us as far as printing is concerned.

Is there anyway for my family to see what I have compiled without having to “join” the ancestry.com site?

I have the Family Tree Maker 2005. I have never used it. Do I need to get the 2009 version or use the 2005 one? Is the 2009 that much better? Thanks for your help.

I started with a Sierra “Generations” Program. FTM is much better, with one exception. I cannot print a complete family tree in landscape mode as I could with the other program. Since I am well over the hill, I’d appreciate it if you could add this feature prior to my just becoming a name on the family tree.

Bob

PLEASE EXPLAIN THE PROCESS I CAN USE TO CONVERT THE FAMILY TREE MAKER BY MATELL INFORMATION TO THE FAMILY TREE MAKER 2009. THANK YOU.

ESCIORTINO@HOTMAIL.COM

I have FTM from the begining.
When 2008, A problem has occured.
When 2009, The problem still lingers.
All my uncles on my mothers side are listed as my seventh cousin 2x removed. They are probably…. How can they be listed as my Uncle’s…
I’ve tried to get help from FTM and they could not fix the problem…
Can you help me with this odd problem ????

Will the new program allow me to insert photos, save the file to disk and then reload the file or program on a newer or second computer whitout loosing the inserted pictures?

I print an annual family calendar with birhtdates and anniversaries noted in the appropriate dates. I would like to add additional comments and/or pictures into certian dates.
How can I do this?

I just purchased FTM 2008 Premium… should I return it and get the 2009 version instead? (What are the advantages and/or improvements in the 2009 vs 2008 versions?)

How will the 2009 FTM interact with my current FTM 2006? Will all of my data automatically transfer onto the 2009 version? Thanks.

Many years ago FTM users had the ability to search within an individual’s notes to find a particular word, phrase date etc…in that person’s note section. That feature turned up missing with one of the newer versions and has never again returned. Many of us who have spent years on a family tend to accumulate long notes. Often one needs to be able to go directly to a word or phrase in a particular individual’s notes but we do not have that capability to search for a word or phrase.. I have asked over and over and sent requests but no one EVER responds to my needs or even tells me why it cannot or is not being done. Will we ever get that ability back. PLEASE.. I need it. Many of my notes are 8 or 9 printed pages… I need to be able to go to a particular spot in my notes without reading them all in their entirety. I also agree the user comments requesting the ability to edit notes using fonts, bold, underline etc.
Thank you

I’m with #17 above. I was ready to purchase 2008 and after reading the reviews changed my mind and have been waiting for the “accurate” full system. Are provisions being made for long time users of FTM who curtailed their normal upgrade because of all the issues?

Ordered the 2009 version of Ancestry. Hasn’t arrived yet. But I do have a question? If I make a gedcom copy of my present tree that is in a Roots Magic program will I be able to transfer it to the Ancestry version 2009. Thank You.

Will version 2009 fix the problems with Vista? I still can not get my data from version 16 to 2008. I called and asked for help two times and nothing has worked. I have over 8500 names to import into the new version, any suggestions?

I also did the beta for 2009. I had questions, experienced a lot of problems, and don’t understand why TGN never bothered to answer my emails. Notice they aren’t answering anyone on this blog, either…

What I’d like to see is for Ancestry to allow us to update our Tree online without having to have the photos loaded into the FTM program. Photos slow the FTM loading and running time down. It would also be nice if it ran better with Firefox. I nicknamed the thing Crash 2009.

It would have been nice to see a bug list, to know for sure if it was me, my computer, or the software….and it would have been nice to get responses to my questions. The thing hung up my computer constantly and drove me nuts. And the search is no different than just searching Ancestry on a browser. Big deal. Sometimes a different search enables you to look at something a different way.

I have used 2006 for the last three years, and it works great except for the occasional Firefox .pdf crash when more than one .pdf document is open. Simplicity in a program counts for something. So many genealogists do not have high-powered computers.

I love my FTM on my old computer but was really disappointed when the company decided not to update for the Mac. I had to buy another program for my Mac G4 but it will never be as good as FTM. There are a lot of Mac users out here and you might think about it in the future Thanks!
Candace Millsop

I wanted to know if FMT2009 would install over my FMT2006 without first installing 2007 & 2008 (if there was a 2007).
But after reading all the problems users are having with the versions AFTER 2006, I think I’ll skip upgrading!

I’d love to have the FTM, but I run a Mac. Can’t you make a Mac version?

I have my data in Family Treemaker 2.0 (It is on my old computer). What is the best way to migrate my data forward to FTM2009? I have MSWindows Vista. (I know, I should have upgraded and migrated along the way.) Please help. Thanks. Mary Ann

A while back I received an email suggesting that I could upgrade for free to 2009, from my 2008 program. AFter reaching the site to do so, there was a message saying that due to the overwhelming response that Family Tree was unable to allow further upgrades, and that there would be another free opportunity in October, which I never saw and consequently have not done. How can I upgrade to 2009? Do I have to buy a whole new software package? What’s the BEST deal out there for current 2008 owners, if the free deal isnt available as promised?

Chris Lee
Winter Park, FLorida

when I am searching the web for info the window at the bottom doesnot change with each person selected. It only shows the first person I am researching and stops there. Is this a softwear problem as it never did this with 2008 only when I upgraded to 2009. It seems stuck on one page and stays there. Can you help with this problem. Thanks I love this program and have been using it for years.
Rita

Still looking for Book function like in previous versions and promised for Spring of 2008 for FTM2008. Didn’t show up and isn’t in FTM2009. With the hard relearning curve instigated by 2008, I see no reason to spend the time until the Book function exists. Ancestry Press Online isn’t going to cut it.

I have a question for you. I am currently using Family Tree version 16 purchased in 2007.

I have 16,300 family members and other information.

I bought the 2008 version only to find out that I would have to re-enter all of my tree information because I could not convert from the 2007 version.

Have any suggestions?

I would like to know if there is a limited # of people that can be entered into the FTM programs. I currently have FTM16 & it seems to crash every time I get over 5000+ individuals.

I have been stuck on my family genealogy for some time. There are a lot of the same name and the census data in 1810 leave a lot to be desired. Is there any hope in solving this dilemma?. Geo

I’m anxious to receive the 2009 upgrade. When and how will I receive it. I bought FTM 2008 and haven’t been happy with it. Actually I didn’t like it at all and hope 2009 version irons out the rough spots.

I started with two separate families, mine and my husbands. Now I would like to merge them together. How would I do that?

I haven’t purchase the Family Tree Maker yet. I am looking forward to seeing the webinar. One thing I would like to know if you can use it for more than one family tree?

Type your comment here.

I CANNOT UPDATE MY FTM 2008.ELI

Why can’t a free version of the FTM come with a paid yearly subscription ot Ancestry.com? Being soaked for another $30 or so every year over and above the subscription fees shows how much Ancestry values your most faithful customers.
In addition FTM 2008 was NOT user friendly. Too many bells and whistles and not enough straight forward usabilty. Will FTM 2009 be more of the same?

I just purpose the Family Tree 2009, I noticed that you can not create a book, like you can in Family Tree 2005. If I can create a book in this 2009 program, please give me the instruction on how to do so. Also I did not get an instruction book with my CD, however I did call customer service who informed that the instruction book for 2009 cost $ 21.00 please e-mail me back with answer, thanks.
Riley Daniels

Linda #451

FTM 2008 will easily open and read your version 16 file

Plan view new tree and follow the prompts

John D

Have you updated your FTM 2008 to the FTM Sp 3 patch?

Carrie #452

FTM 16 should accept about 250,000 individuals without a problem other tan it getting a bit slow

I don’t know the limit of FTM 2009 but I would expect it to be much higher.

If your FTM 16 is crashing i would be looking at your computer eg how much RAM do you have etc?

John D

Mary Ann #447

I haven’t tried it from version 2 but FTM 2009 should be able to read it.

If not you may need to download the free FTM Family Archive Viewer and open your FTM 2 file with the viewer them export it as a GEDCOM and then open the GEDCOM in FTM 2009

Delete the FAV when you have finished using it

John D

Joann # 442

Try making a GEDCOM from your FTM 16 then opening the GEDCOM in FTM 2009

John D

Dorothy # 438

You can install FTM 2009 on your computer and leave FTM 2006 unchanged ie use both

FTM can open your FTM 2006 file, make a copy of it and then convert the copy to FTM 2009 format

It is done from the Plan Workspace

John D

According to genealogy research how is it possible that there are so few names to search on in for example;
Russian and Australian genealogy and
North European states? (Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Finland and Sweden)

Its much easier to find names of ancestors in Usa and Canada than in Other States as mentioned.

I have used FTM for years and years. As a matter of course I purchased FTM 2008 for a considerable amount of money only to find it to be an amateurish and incomplete, all but useless vehicle for anyone who is the least serious about genealogy. Where for instance is the Genealogy Report I use constantly in FTM 2005? Why can’t I download the myriad of updates you purport to have available? How can you possibley have the nerve to issue FTM 2009 when we are drowning in FTM 2008’s incompetentancy? I have gone back to 2005 where sanity pervails. You have seriously comprimised your reputation and I am helping that along by passing my thoughts along to the many Genealogy Societies of which I am either a member or officer.
James D. Robertson
335 Vineyard Rd. NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico
87107-5805
tel: 505.345.0999

How do you enter children with different fathers when the childrens parents were never married so that you can see all involved.
Example
Mother Doe
Child 1 –
Father 1
Mother Doe
Child 2 —
Father 2

Mother Doe is the mother to both children however, never married to Father 1 or Father 2. Then Mother Doe marries to be Father 3.

I do not want child 1 attached to Father 2 or visa-versa.

Please help this is so frustrating.

I recently acquired FTM 2009 after many years of faithful service from FTM2005. My initial impression is that for a frequent user there are significant productivity gains to be had from FTM2009 but initially there is a lot to comprehend in the various screens hence practice and training are vital. However, one notable step backwards is the inability of the people index to sort persons with identical names into a chronological sequence (as could FTM2005 using birth dates). Many UK families in 18th & 19thC repeated given names so the incedence and frequency of identically named persons is high. The 05 sort function made it easy to identify a person of interest quickly. Not so in FTM 2009 which provides a random listing. Can the 05 sort function be incorporated in 09? Second, the Leaf links in my case are producing quite irrelevant matches and missing obvious ones I’m aware of. This wastes time and casts some doubt on the credibility of the Leaf function. Can it be made to do better? Thanks and regards, Paul (West Vancouver, BC)

Is there a way to create a report that does not include the names of photographs or the weblinks for stories? I’m having trouble creating clean reports.

Have over 200 names on tree (husband & wife). The problem is they are on old 3.5 inch floppys and very old versions of Family Tree. Could we send them to you for transfer?

The reports are terrible, when will they be corrected? I’ve gone back to an older version just to make sure my information is correct.

On the timeline of the individual, why can’t we print that? It helps in analyzing their facts, children, etc.

My old family books which are 200+ pages now can not be printed unless we use the Ancestry book feature, I want the old feature back.

Family Tree Maker 16 Works Very Good,
but I `ll got a question about if there are a lot of ancestors with the same first and surname, it can cause some confusion about that how to decide who is who, when you are expanding the tree so to speak.

What to do?

Can reports be printed on banner paper ?
Is the data automatically sized to the banner size?
What banner sizes are accomodated using 8.5″ x 11″ connected sheets ?

I have the same questions as comments 420 and 422, and two others:

How do I enter two individuals who started out together as unmarried, had children, and then married later?

How do I enter a spouse relationship after the couple was initially married, divorced, and then married each other again?

Using the outline descendant tree report, I would like to have an option for a count of direct descendants. E.g., John Heinl, first generation, had 421 direct descendants. I’ve been asking for this feature for years. Thanks

I bought Family Tree maker version 10 after reading the publicity that I could migrate from Family Origins. It proved to be not the case. As it could not import the exported ged version 5.5 although PAF accepted it. I contacted technical support and they hadn’t got a clue what I was talking about. I still have Family Tree Maker version 10 but never used it. So is this version going to accept Ged version 5.5?

Why does Family tree maker not have a primary field for the baptismal date? Almist every ancestor born before 1800 is unlikely to have their birthdate recorded, but Parish Registers always recorded the date of baptism.
regards
malcolm glennie holmes, Wagga Wagga Australia

Another lack in FTM - a method of indicating that a person never married, or if they did, that there were no children. If the spouse and/or children fields are left blank, does this mean they didn’t, or that you just don’t know -yet?

First I have to say that Ver. 16 is so much better than 2009. With that said my first question is why do we not have more options as to what should be included in “our” genealogy reports? For example, I do not want addresses included and don’t understand why the program says, “address was” rather than “address is.” “Was” would work for dead people but then they don’t have addresses. Also, shouldn’t “Reference ID was” be “Reference ID is?” It just doesn’t read well. I don’t care for the “short biographies.” I am sorry to critize but gosh I liked the old software so much better than the new.

After reading some of the comments in this blog I have to commend Cindy, #366 and James, #467 for stating the truth. I could not in good conc recommend 2009 to anyone in my genealogy sphere. I’m sticking with Ver 16 for now and if help is not coming very soon for 2009 I will opt to change my software to another provider. I spent forever tonight just trying to get a genealogy report ready for PDF for emailing to a relative. I don’t have the time for this. What has happened to FTM’s software program
developers? The knowledgable ones must have resigned because it is terribly obvious that whoever designed 2008-2009 is out in left field.

I would like to see the text top down hierarchical report prsented with the SPOUSE name, separated by a “+” sign, on the same line as the person name instead of on the line below. This will save space on the printed/display format.

I have an earlier version of Family Tree Maker Delux II for Macintosh. When will you create an updated version - that will run on OS X. I very much like the version that I have but I cannot print to the OS X printer and OS 9 printers are no longer made. I have several family members with Windows era computers who have family tree maker but we cannot communicate.

I too am unhappy with 2009 and continue to use 2006 mainly for the all in one chart. to overcome the PDF function crashing the program I copy the file and paste it into Photoshop Elements and then save it as a jpeg file this is a work around a deficiency in 2009 please address it. Maybe 202 answer is the way to go ie find different sofware

When will I get my free subscription upgrade to 2009??? Was there a webinar on 2008? Please contact me directly on my email. Hurry.

Malcolm # 477

FTM does in fact have this ability

Simply in the People Family View in the RH editing panel click on customize view and add baptism or any other fact(s) you want to be present in that view

John D

Malcolm # 478

“Not Married” is accepted as a valid marriage date entry and was added to FTM 2009

John D

Don # 476

All version of FTM from 2009 to ate least version 5 accept GEDCOM 5.5

FTM 2008/09 will not recognize GEDCOM 4.0

John D

Joann # 456

You can create as many tress as you like in FTM 2009

No different from any other version

What you can’t do yet in FTM 2008/09 as you can in versions 11, 2005, 2006 and version 16 is have two files open and copy an merge between the files

John D

Where can I find how to get my database into a GEDCOM format and where are all the new sparkling charts….example a “all in one” chart like FTM 2006 or in Family Historian.

Disappointed Tom

Why can you not hold the webinar at a more suitable time such as a weekend. This may come as a shock to some, but there is life outside the USA!

My FTM will not run the function of merging duplicate individuals. Also Web Search Resources is a hit and miss proposition. Tonight, 11/7/2008, it is listing results but in the lower left, is states “No Results” and refuses in interact with all the listings shown above. At this point, I am afraid I am going to lose all my information. I have back ups, but have added quite a lot of information since the last one and to lose any of it would be heartbreaking.

I have requested but not received my free update to Family Tree Maker 2009. I did sign up for the webinar but I need the update/upgrade before I participate. Several of my cousins, who also are involved in family research, have received their free update/upgrade. Please explain to me why I have not received my update/upgrade?

Ihave emailed abt this before……..many of us have done our dna. would you please put a visible block some where at the biginning that we can check off that this person is in our DNA. This is very important. Thank you

Why can’t I see if A.c has the info; I want before I pay? brian

When I installed FTM 2009, it didn’t search for previous versions. I had difficulty in transferring from previous version and then when it was done it disappeared again. Thankfully it was still on the old version.

Will I be able to use this on my Mac?

What is the URL?

My husband recently passed away this year and I was wondering if the ftm is planning to put a more extensive medical history section in it. My husband had Marfan’s Syndrome and knew nothing about it because he was adopted and no family history was given. We just recently found out this is a hereditary diease and both of my children have it. My daughter was also advised never to have children because this diease could kill her when she goes into labor because the heart can not withstand the pressure of pushing or carrying an extra life. I would like to include medical histories on all of my family members to that this does not happen to their children or their children’s children.

Why can’t we buy FTM 2008 in Germany and what happens then with FTM 2009???

I have an older edition of FTM if I buy new one can I transfer what I have got on to new one

I hope this is the correct location for posting question for the webinar. Question is as follows:

What is the best and easiest way to reconcile trees on published Ancestry.com and Family Tree Maker 2009?

I want to keep both trees current and correct. They continue to evolve as I continue research on Family Tree Maker 2009 and others post additions to the published tree on Ancestry.com. How can I quickly and simply synchronize or reconcile the two back and forth so they both remain updated and current?

Thanks very much. Mike Cowart.

I am a new user of Family Tree Maker 2009. I have extensive family info on Ancestry.com. I do not know how to transfer this.

Have family treemaker which dates to about 1998. can I get new up dated program and not loose my data. have received data from people who are using newer programs and I can’t down load it.

As 2008 FTM forgot to put on the “All-in-one-tree” I was hoping that it would be included in the 2009 FTM. Please let me know what is the case.

Why did my file jump from 40,000kb to 140,000kb? I’m not too sure FTM2008 and FTM2009 are any improvement over previous versions. I don’t like doing the book on line!

I have Family Tree Maker 2008 Essentials $140.00. Which I can’t use, Why would I want 2009?

I have a number of entries in my family database which are investigationale in nature (i.e. I have no documented evidence that they are correct) It would be very useful if a field were added that would identify entries as verified/unverified.

Can you make it so that we can copy an entire branch of our tree behind a selected individual and paste it behind another selected individual within Family Tree Maker?

My wife’s tree is absolutely full of European Royalty and it keeps doubling back on itself through marriages.

I’ve hit Charlemaign from at least 6 different individuals, so far….and who wants to have to cover the ground behind the same individual over and over and over again just to fill in the tree!!!?

Questions for Nov 19 Webinar:
1. I have FTM 2006 Ver 16. Can I upgrade directly from that to 2009 and will I need to do anything special for my existing data files?
2. Is there any new functionality that would allow me to add a new individual to a family group (or separately) “on the fly” when I am doing a web search? I’m not talking about the “automatic” adds when one is, say, merging in data from a census, for example. It is awkward to have to leave the web search results page to add a new person. How about opening a new window to get the new person set up, at least?
3. Will there be some improvement to the selection method for Customized searches? On some of the listings, one has to click through several pages of listings to get to the desired database. Some refinement would be great, to get quickly to the desired records.

Thanks! I look forward to the webinar and learning more about FTM2009.

Joined Family Tree Maker years ago with 20 some discs. 2 month ago joined Ancestry.com. First I cannot use any of my disc, and secondly I cannot find anything at Ancestry. Do I need to belong to both FTM and Ancestry? I am doing something wrong, but not sure what.

Can we be given more selective control over what web search searches for in Family Tree Maker, so as to give it quicker search results?

Many times I only want results from Ancestry.com’s Member Public Trees, but I have to wait while the search checks stories, photos, death records, newspaper articles, etc., etc……all of which I don’t even want to have to wade through to see my public tree search results.

And why it is that the Public tree search results are listed at the bottom of the results, when results are catagorized, to where I have to go to the scroll bar just to get to my desired search results? Souldn’t they be displayed at the very top, for convenience sake?

I use FTM with a database of about 30,000 records. Many of the names are duplicate as our family repeatedly used the same first names. I would like an “AND” search capability so that I could search on NAME and DOB fields, for example.

I have requested but not received my free update to Family Tree Maker 2009. Please explain to me why I have not received my update/upgrade?
is it only for the U.S.A and Canada
and not for the U.K

On Member Public Tree searches, can you give us some way to keep a desired tree we find within the results at the top of all future results listings, so that we can find it easily again for use on our next generation, too, once we found a really well sourced tree?

Can these search results also be filtered so that the best sourced results appear at the top of the results?

I had one tree I’d found that had over 30 sources listed for my desired individual. On my next search, even though I had written down that tree name, it must have been buried so deeply in those results that I couldn’t find it because of all the unsourced results listed at the top, even though on my previous search I had noticed that the parents I would be searching for were listed in my desired well sourced tree.

After unsuccessfully going through about eight pages of unsourced search results, looking for that well sourced tree again, I finally threw in the towel and gave up!! Frustrating!

I am disapointed that the 2009 update still does not have ablility to upload to my “home page”. Plus my understanding that this home page web sites will not be included in future software updates. I have been using my home page since 1995 and have purchased many version updates over the years at least 10! The fact is over the years many many people have come to my web site and gave me more information about my family tree. How in the future is this going to happen without a home page? I certainly makes me rethink what other programs for family tree software I should reconsider…

HELP!!!!
Ihave a new Mac Computer and it does not except theFamily Tree Program. I am using a program called Reunion but there is no comparison to my old Family Tree Program. How can I let FTM and Apple know the GREAT need for this?

I still have no idea where this seminar will be held. I registered in the hopes that it might be nearby. But to travel to Utah or California might be beyond my travel budget. So where is it?

I just obtained FTM 2008 and have been using #6.I cannot transfer 6 info to 2008 program.It is probably very basic,but I need help

Will you record this session for those of us on the west coast who will still be a work when this is happening? I would love to be able to take part but cannot go on line at work.
Thanks.

I just obtained FTM 2008 and have been using #6.I cannot transfer 6 info to 2008 program.It is probably very basic,but I need help RE #29

every time I try to get some information about my family nothing happens, it is as though I don’t exist
Diane Allan

Why can I not bring documents from a temp folder over to Notes in Family tree?

Does your program include Mac X? I had an earlier verson of your program
which is useless for updating.

Is there a way to catch a mistake before it is made? When i add a child the program automatically marks it as a female (unless you click the ‘f’ and change it to “M”. sometimes i don’t catch it and end up with a woman married to a woman. Now days that CAN happen, but couldn’t the program ask the question..(for example: you are about to add a female spouse to a female, is that correct?

The report my family wants to see is a family tree where you click on the name and behind it is all the pdf files of copies of vital records, obits etc.

Does this function available in this format?

I would like to know what or how do I get rid of all my familytree makers that I have. from #3 up to 2006. I do not or am able to use any old one. just throw in trash??
I would like to see the 2009 before i buy it as i do not like the layout from 2008. thanks
betty lloyd

I would like to know when it will be possible to work in FTM 2009 and for this work also to be updated in my Ancestry public tree.
It makes for twice the work particually when attaching other references, census data etc.

Thanks Roger

mt father fought in theworld war one he was ststioned in france he died in 1982 he was 87 trs old where would i go to look up info on his records his name is claudy williams home place greasy creek kentucky if you can help me i would sure thank you very much i am new at this and i dont know a great lot about this matter pattyrobinson

Like Larry Czarnik (post#23, my burning question is when will we get back the book feature as it was in FTM 2006? We liked to use the index feature in a small book we would prepare to take on research trips. It was invaluable for quickly referencing our ancestors of all surnames. Also, I don’t feel that I should be required to upload my family tree on ancesty.com to make a book, plus it does not offer an index.
I do LOVE the online publishing features such as the different backgrounds and embellishments!

Will this version allow us to open backup data from the old Ancestry Tree ,, I have backups I can’t open or download to FTM b/c it only will open the ATF’s NOT ATZ and I am having to RE_WORK about 6 years of work….. Or can I get a old version of the original Ancestry program to get my information…..

Is there a version of “Family Tree Maker” for the Apple computer?

With reference to #’s 252, 438, 500 and 504.
Not all information is correctly transferred from older versions of FTM to FTM2009.
One example is the Occupation fact that either suddenly gets created, or else gets corrupted with other information. For example :-
The *.FTW file from FTM2006 was directly loaded/imported into FTM2009 (18.0.0.95).
a) I have found that “Occupation” facts were created where none existed when the individual had a “Burial” fact.
Where the individual had a “Burial” fact, there also appeared an “Occupation” fact that contained as the “Place” details the same information that is in the “Burial - Place” details.
b) Also, where an “Occupation” fact already exists and where the individual also had a “Burial” fact, one of the “Occupation” facts became corrupted.
Where the individual had a “Burial” fact and “Occupation” facts, one of the “Occupation” facts contained the correct date but the “Place” details had the same information that is in the “Burial - Place” details.

Until a FTM2009+upgrades can import a FTW file from FTM2006 and output a GEDCOM file that has the same information as the GEDCOM produced by FTM2006, then I will not use the new program.

As in the above example, if information cannot be correctly imported to the new program, then what else has it changed or corrupted?
I am not prepared to accept a program that has fundamental errors on importing such critical data.

Why can’t we print family group sheets, a standard format in genealogy research, in Family Tree Maker 2009?

Why can’t we print dates in trees? This is necessary!

Have you corrected the problems with the 2008 version in the 2009 release? Such as the Map program. Also have you added the fan chart back in to the new version?

I am having trouble getting information on my female line to print on an Ahnentafel Report. I have a couple that were divorced and then married to each other. The divorce for him shows up but the one for her does not. Also I have marked 2 of the children from her first marriage a step and they still show up as “Them having 7 children” when they really only had 5. Any thoughts on how to get it to show? Thanks.

I have Family Tree 7.0. Will I be able to upgrade to 9.0 or will I have to buy all new???

I was a Ancestry member. After I purchase 2008 I was so discusted I let my subscrition expire, will this be the same???

I have a very old version of Family Tree Maker (version 6.0). Will I be able to upgrade to the 2009 version without losing any information or without any glitches?

I find FTM 2009 (and 2008) a nightmare to use. It’s hard to navigate around, to go from parent to children.

It’s hard to share family trees on the internet. Whereas with the good old FTM I could simply upload my tree to my FTM home page and give anyone my URL, now I have to invite anyone that’s interested, and to make matters worse, when I have an updates, it creates a brand new tree so now I have to invite those same people all over again.

Now I am having issues registering my FTM 2009 online.

If it weren’t for the fact that I have invested weeks of time in getting my tree just right for FTM, I would be looking for a different program.

I hope you will get to address some of these issues.

I BOUGHT FTM 2009 RECENTLY. HOW DO I GET THE INFO FROW FTM 16 OVER TO FTM 2009?

When will this product be available for Mac users? There are millions of us out here……

Version 2009 is supposed to allow Ignoring a hint. I subscribe to the UK package and get hints that include USA info. Version 2009 will not allow me to ignore the USA hints. Can this issue be solved? Also why does a search for an individual born in England come up with “hints”, names of people born in the USA?

WHERE is the Webinar to be held?

I have submitted my family tree to Family Tree Maker and wish to update it but am unable to do so. What is the process to change my own submission?

I own the Deluxe Family Tree Maker 2008; and the activation code. However, I also have a new computer with Vista software. How do I go about getting the free version of Family Tree Maker 2009 (which I assume will be compatible with Vista)? Than ks for your gracious help. I think it is commendable that you are offering the free version! Dr D A Hanson

This is a question for the November Webiner. Before this new version, I could edit and print my Notes. It does not seem that the 2009 version permits editing in the Notes section. Will future version return this ability?

I greatly miss this ability. Alternate methods for editing notes involve multiple steps using my word processor.

There are 2 features that I’m constantly missing:

1. When working on my tree from within FTM, the Ancestry Hints never include Public Member Trees. I often run FTM 2009 in one windows and Ancestry.com in IE to compare hints. I really wish the hints could be synchronized.

2. I often work offline in FTM 2009 but want to update the version of my tree stored on Ancestry.com. There is no way to easily do this - I have to delete the version on Ancestry.com and upload a new copy. The worst part is that then my tree starts getting Ancestry Hints from MY deleted tree. Why is it so difficult to synchronize my work offline with the online copy I want to share with family members?

Hi, I was really interested in the November 19 seminar, but I have a “LOW BANDWIDTH’. Will this interfere with being able to be part of this seminar?
Sharon

Would I have to re-input all the genealogy information into Family Tree Maker 2009 from my old version?

I have issues with the relationship portion of FTM2009. I listed my current spouse and ex-spouse, entered marriage and divorce dates and places, went to relationship window and selected ex-spouse as “other” and “divorced”. When I go into FTM2009 it still shows ex-spouse as “wife of” and current spouse as “wife of”. How do you correct this issue? It should show ex-spouse as “exwife of”

Please, please, please can yoou include the “ALLinOne” chart in the next version. I wanted to be able to print out a poster for my family, but couldnt do it on the current version.
Also, your other charts need work.

would any body know anything about James Devine who married Mary Anne Thomasina Poole June 1870. can’t find any birth or death certificates in Tasmania, or no convict records.I won’t be here from tthe 18th till the 21st. of November. James and Mary’s children were born the Evandale, Morveen,and Fingal in Tasmania

Why don’t you have Family Tree Maker for Macintosh anymore. I really like the program but have a Mac and not a PC..will there ever be one made for Mac in the future.

When you merge records from ancestry.com into ftm they are “links” What happens to these links if for any reason you are unable to continue with membership in ancestry.com?

Do you have to save all these documents in order to retain them in your tree?

I have only had Family Tree Maker & ancestry.com for about a week but I am very tired of being stopped in the middle of my searches for another credit card number. So far I’ve joined ancestry.com, Charged for VVital records,LookUpPeople.net, and still can’t get any answers to divorce/adoption questions,
Color me Frustrated

I have the 2005 version with over 4000 names & information entered in my tree. I have also uploaded this to Ancestry.com & have a current subscription. I am very concerned about the ability to transfer all of this information into your new version & also all of the problems people are having with your new version. Can I transfer all my tree without losing any data? When will all of the errors being reported be fixed?

i want to look up the family tree for cox and williams

Question: Can I transfer the information I have entered on my Ancestry.com tree to the FamilyTree Maker?

I just bought the software and realized how long it will take me to re-enter the names of hundreds of ancestors.

When printing or sending a family tree for or to a family member, I’d like to leave off branches either ancestor of decendants or usually both. How can I temporaily eliminate branches for my print or e-mail without damaging my original tree?
I am still on V16 but if I see this addressed, it alone could sway me to upgrade to V2009.

After reading many of the comments made in the blog, I don’t think I want to tackle the FTM 2009 program.

Obviously, there are too many glitches to tackle.

I think I just threw my money out the door.

When I merge from a census, sometimes only the head of the family is merged, and I have to repeat for each member–couldn’t there be a way to copy the “residence” fact completely, like we can a source, and copy it to each member, instead of having to find each one again in the census in order to merge them or type in each one from scratch, copying in the source and image?

I have had a problem with older versions crashing and losing information, which caused me to doubt that my files were usable. Later, when I checked parts of these files, I discovered that I had information that I didn’t have in the newer files, but the files are too large to compare, person by person. Can’t FTM find a way to compare files for differences so that they could be merged where needed?

I am having a problem with FTM 2009, in that I have to keep a flash drive in my computer to be able to use the program.

Other wise I have to reload it each time.

Please tell me how to fix this problem.

One more comment. I have a lot of FTM and Genealogy.com CD’s how can I read them with this new FTM 2009. I loaded the program Family View 11 but it locked up my Computer. I have Vista and also
Word Student 2007.

Thank you for any help.

I have a question using the existing or new version of FTM. When I download someone else’s files and merge them into mine, I also get all of the “facts” that the person who originated the file put into the person. For example, I am not a Morman but often Mormans put LDS Baptismal information as a fact in the person’s file which is then downloaded into mine and then it appears in the various genealogical reports that I generate. Can I now or can I in future eliminate various facts or fact fields from my files with as a whole, rather than deleting each of them individually.

Another example is the fact commonly used by people called “Record Change”. I don’t even know what that means, but, regardless I don’t want that field on any of my people. How can I eliminate all “Record Change” entries in my file?

This is more info on my recent submission today: I am acutally using FTM 2005. I have 8302 individuals in my FTM database which I am using for a book I am writing on nineteenth century pioneers in western new york state. I am a bit hesitant to upgrade to 2008 to just then convert to 2009 if I don’t have to. What is recommended for me to go from ver 2005 to 2009?

I recently visited the FAQ section and noticed there is no information for Vista users under “Managing Internet cache and cookies”. Please update to include Vista.

Please can you give us back the All in one chart……
Why was it removed

I was wondering, I have done all my work really on line at the Ancestry.ca site and was wondering how I can download all that info into my computer or do I have to type it all in by hand?

I have a new imac that appears to have no trouble
with the demo that accompanies the info on FTM 2009. Is it really possible to use 2009 on the IMAC?
If not, is there a plan to publish a usable TFM that doesn’t require a special fix to work on the MAC?
Certainly hope so!

Thanks!

I started with Ancestry.com about a year ago and have my work, photos and documentation online. I have purchased and loaded FTM 2009 on a properly equipped computer and have cable internet access. To my question: I want to have access to my research online and on my PC and have them available and matched both online and off. What is the best way to go about this and going forward, what is the best way to continue my research and maintain updated information both online and off.

Thanks for all you do for us.
Now that I have FTM 2009 can I delete the 2008 version?

As a Brit living in the US and having a worldwide membership to Ancestry.co.uk, would it be more advantageous for me to buy the UK version of FTM 2009 as opposed to the US version of the software…or does it not matter either way?

We use both version 16 and 2009. What are the steps to transfer date from version 2009 to version 16?

Help! I inadvertently added a source reference to the wrong person. How can I delete that source from that individual without deleting the source completely?