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I started researching my family roots in a local "Family History Center" courtesy of the Mormons before personal computers were available. It wasn't long before shuffling so many papers became quite difficult, so it was a huge 'blessing' when computers came along and the Mormons came up with free genealogy software.
There may be more bells and whistles on commercial software that you buy but I am totally content with my "PAF" Personal Ancestral Software available for instant download free at the main Mormon family history website:
All you have to do is fill in a simple form before you download. They also provide free updates but the current version is very advanced, they have vast resources available for genealogical research, that's one of their church "missions". (I am LDS myself.)
Anyone have stories about genealogy software and how it has helped them get organized as the family tree begins to grow?
First.. I"m so happy to see this new Forum
Last year my son paid over $300 to Ancestry.com so I could do a Family Tree...I got over 700 names,so I guess it was worth it. However there was not much I could do with the info through them unless I wanted to spend more $$$ for books, publishing, etc.
A few weeks ago, just before A.com expired, I downloaded the Personal Ancestral File. WOW!!! I was ablel to transfer all the data into this file and can arrange and print it in many different ways. Just great!!
Do you have the "Companion"? I'd like some info before I download that..like how do the 2 programs work together?? Any info would be appreciated.. Thanks
First.. I"m so happy to see this new Forum
Last year my son paid over $300 to Ancestry.com so I could do a Family Tree...I got over 700 names,so I guess it was worth it. However there was not much I could do with the info through them unless I wanted to spend more $$$ for books, publishing, etc.
A few weeks ago, just before A.com expired, I downloaded the Personal Ancestral File. WOW!!! I was ablel to transfer all the data into this file and can arrange and print it in many different ways. Just great!!
Do you have the "Companion"? I'd like some info before I download that..like how do the 2 programs work together?? Any info would be appreciated.. Thanks
I have downloaded several versions of PAF "Companion" but never got around to using it. I think it just merges right in with PAF and gives you a few more options, especially printing. I think "Companion" is also available for free download at:
My wife has used the paid ancestry.com program and says it's good, they have some data that is not available free at familysearch.org. But I suggest that newcomers start at the free site first, maybe their data is already available there.
Another interesting online feature available from the Mormons is the entire King James version of the Bible online. MOD CUT
Last edited by linicx; 11-09-2009 at 12:07 PM..
Reason: This is a genealogy forum. Please visit the C-D Relgion forum to discuss religion
Thanks.. I know there is a free one, and also one that is about $8.00..which I'd gladly buy..What I really want to do now is to print out the data I have in an interesting way on nice paper.
I could not agree more Justa.....I started with the LDS site and still use it continually....one thing that should be stressed [for the Non-Mormons among us]
NO missionaries will comes knocking at your door and no one will pressure you in any way.....With the LDS site FREE is FREE.
I do advise getting the Companion software for the PAF....can't remember the name....but it makes pringing out the data so much easier and it's only around $10.
Along with ancestry I've also used the familysearch site extensively as a jumping off point. I find these two sites, along with NEHGS, as the most valuable, and rank rootsweb much further down the list.
Fair warning with familysearch, that even though it contains a wealth of great information, some perpetual untruths show up (such as what I mentioned on another thread that my Jeffrey the Original's father was James from Scotland - not proven and probably not true.)
As for the software I use, I wasn't aware of PAF. I use a very old version of Family Origins that has a few bells and whistles, but it so convenient and easy and unconfusing. With it I can download gedcoms and they'll automatically be converted to readable/usable Family Origin files. I think most users of this software upgraded to Family Treemaker or something like that.
Do you have a download link to the genealogy software? I just went looking through the site and for whatever reason couldn't see it.
I keep hoping to find one that lets me input data on a standard pedigree form, rather than only via the "individual records". I have ancient dog pedigree software (a DOS app from 1992) that has this feature, and it kinda ruined me... none of the newer programs I've seen can do that!
BTW I can second what you said, no one will come knocking on your door because you used the LDS site and software. (I'm not a Mormon, but some of my friends are.)
Do you have a download link to the genealogy software? I just went looking through the site and for whatever reason couldn't see it.
I keep hoping to find one that lets me input data on a standard pedigree form, rather than only via the "individual records". I have ancient dog pedigree software (a DOS app from 1992) that has this feature, and it kinda ruined me... none of the newer programs I've seen can do that!
BTW I can second what you said, no one will come knocking on your door because you used the LDS site and software. (I'm not a Mormon, but some of my friends are.)
There's a "Download PAF" link in the lower right corner:
What a great site, I have been wanting to find out more about my family
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