Ancestry have just announced that they will discontinue selling Family Tree Maker (FTM) after 31st December 2015 due to reduced demand for software. They will continue to provide support for users until 1st January 2017.
To me Family Tree Maker is a much loved resource but it is inevitable that there is a shift away from computer-based tools. I have noticed this year a distinct increase in the number of students coming to courses with iPads and other tablets rather than laptops. I had hoped that FTM would be developed as an App so we could still benefit from its many fantastic features in future but it doesn’t look like this will happen unless another developer takes it over.
If you already have FTM don’t worry - It’s not redundant!
Family Tree Maker is currently still available, for example, on amazon.co.uk. The Platinum editions include a 6 month subscription to Ancestry so if you are thinking of getting it while you can this is the best option (but remember to activate your 6 month subscription before the end of 2016).
Please note: If you have an Apple PC/Laptop you need Family Tree Maker for Mac v3 (6 month subscription included, as above)
Find a way that suits you to organise your research
Of course, it is not essential to use FTM and I found this site which compares features of other software - genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com
There are also various options for organising your research online and many websites where you can do this free although you will need to register with the relevant sites, for example:
findmypast
ancestry.co.uk
familysearch.org
genesreunited.co.uk
To me Family Tree Maker is a much loved resource but it is inevitable that there is a shift away from computer-based tools. I have noticed this year a distinct increase in the number of students coming to courses with iPads and other tablets rather than laptops. I had hoped that FTM would be developed as an App so we could still benefit from its many fantastic features in future but it doesn’t look like this will happen unless another developer takes it over.
If you already have FTM don’t worry - It’s not redundant!
- All features including TreeSync will continue to work until 1st January 2017
- From 2017 Family Tree Maker will continue to work on your PC/Laptop but without the features that integrate with Ancestry
Family Tree Maker is currently still available, for example, on amazon.co.uk. The Platinum editions include a 6 month subscription to Ancestry so if you are thinking of getting it while you can this is the best option (but remember to activate your 6 month subscription before the end of 2016).
Please note: If you have an Apple PC/Laptop you need Family Tree Maker for Mac v3 (6 month subscription included, as above)
Find a way that suits you to organise your research
Of course, it is not essential to use FTM and I found this site which compares features of other software - genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com
There are also various options for organising your research online and many websites where you can do this free although you will need to register with the relevant sites, for example:
findmypast
ancestry.co.uk
familysearch.org
genesreunited.co.uk
