Ancestry.com discontinue Family Tree Maker

[William Douglas]

Ancestry.com announced in this blog post that they will discontinue their Family Tree Maker software, effective 31st December 2015.

For long term users, this must seem like a slap in the face. So what are the alternatives?

Many former FTM users are turning to Legacy, my desktop genealogy software of choice.  However, for those wishing to publish their family trees online, it is not so good if your tree has more than a few hundred entries.

So I use TNG online.

Moving files between the different products is fairly straightforward, using GEDCOMs.

It would appear that Ancestry.com's move is designed to drive traffic to its subscription website reducing the options of family genealogists keeping their trees to themselves.

[James David Douglas]

Forgive all the typos in the previous post...... obviously my proofreading skills are lacking.  Is there a way to go back and edit a post ?  

[James David Douglas]

I've never used Ancestry.com or Family Tree Maker and have never minded placing my Family Tree in an online database as opposed to storing that information on my computer.   I had been using Family Search until I discovered WIkiTree which has a very user friendly blog style GUI.  It allows users to store bio and gen data in the form of an attractive easy to understand user profile which can also display photos or grapics, if desired.  The ap also automatically generates your typical family tree charts based on your input for those that want to see connections in that way.  The family trees and profiles can be printed for those that want a hard copy.  Even though this is a cloud based ap I have never had an issue with it ever not being available or losing any information.  WiliTree is very reliable and user friendly.  Although WikiTree is short on research tools such as access to online records, I use Family Search which unlike Ancestry.com provides all those resources free of charge.   WikiTree is a collaborative tool which at first I wasn/t sure I would like.  WiliTree strive to have only one profile per individual which can be accessed and shared with any family member.  But that approach does encourage accuracy and collaboration.  WikiTree is real big on the inclusion of reliable sources to support genealogical documentation which IMHO makes the profiles and Family Trees among the most accurate found in any online resource.  Ancestry.com Trees are not known for being error free or accurate sources. WikiTree as a collaborative tool also provides access to a large number of very helpful, knowledgeable family historians and genealogists who stand ready to assist along with a G2G blog where members can discuss gen issues or questions.  That resource alone that has sold me on the benefits of this site.   But best of all is the cost.  It is absolutely free.  You do have to become a member to edit profiles but it is easy to join and there are no fees or subscription costs.  And you can upload your DNA data from any provider and it is automatically linked to your tree and to profiles that are potentially related genetically to you.  GEDCOM ?  You can upload your GEDCOM data and it creates individual profiles automatically.  For those that want to store data on their own computer there are still stand alone aps for doing that if you desire.  But for me, Wikipedia is the genealogy tool of choice.   If you are interested in seeing how a profile looks and works on WikiTree take a look at mine.  http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Douglass-990

RSS

I've never used Ancestry.com or Family Tree Maker and have never minded placing my Family Tree in an online database as opposed to storing that information on my computer.   I had been using Family Search until I discovered WIkiTree which has a very user friendly blog style GUI.  It allows users to store bio and gen data in the form of an attractive easy to understand user profile which can also display photos or grapics, if desired.  The ap also automatically generates your typical family tree charts based on your input for those that want to see connections in that way.  The family trees and profiles can be printed for those that want a hard copy.  Even though this is a cloud based ap I have never had an issue with it ever not being available or losing any information.  WiliTree is very reliable and user friendly.  Although WikiTree is short on research tools such as access to online records, I use Family Search which unlike Ancestry.com provides all those resources free of charge.   WikiTree is a collaborative tool which at first I wasn/t sure I would like.  WiliTree strive to have only one profile per individual which can be accessed and shared with any family member.  But that approach does encourage accuracy and collaboration.  WikiTree is real big on the inclusion of reliable sources to support genealogical documentation which IMHO makes the profiles and Family Trees among the most accurate found in any online resource.  Ancestry.com Trees are not known for being error free or accurate sources. WikiTree as a collaborative tool also provides access to a large number of very helpful, knowledgeable family historians and genealogists who stand ready to assist along with a G2G blog where members can discuss gen issues or questions.  That resource alone that has sold me on the benefits of this site.   But best of all is the cost.  It is absolutely free.  You do have to become a member to edit profiles but it is easy to join and there are no fees or subscription costs.  And you can upload your DNA data from any provider and it is automatically linked to your tree and to profiles that are potentially related genetically to you.  GEDCOM ?  You can upload your GEDCOM data and it creates individual profiles automatically.  For those that want to store data on their own computer there are still stand alone aps for doing that if you desire.  But for me, Wikipedia is the genealogy tool of choice.   If you are interested in seeing how a profile looks and works on WikiTree take a look at mine.  http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Douglass-990