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Use of Computer Packages ... for Genealogy and Family History prepared by Eddie Spackman 13th April 2000 updated 27th October 2000

Requirements for a Family History Program The following gives guidance on the reqirements for a competent Family History program. Most of these are provided by modern applications. Each individual will have his/her own specific requirement depending on the type of 'research' they do (e.g. one-name studies, getting as 'wide a tree' as possible, trancing ancestors as 'far back as possible', 'harvesting names', investigating social history, ...)

Features What is included? Does it do what you want? Do you need the fancy extras?

Ease of Use The program should be intuitive to use and have good on-screen help

Computer needs Will it run on my computer? Most programs are for IBM compatible PCs but there are programs for others - iMac, BBC, RISC, Acorn, Psion, ... On a PC - does it require 32-bit operating system (viz Win95/98/NT/2000)

Program facilities - general

• should store data in an under-lying data-base (usually lineage-linked)
• be able to enter/show full details for an Individual and have Family and Pedigree views
• be able to record, as a minimum, the following events: birth, christening, marriage, death, burial
• import/export data in the GEDCOM format
• be able to merge files
• capable of searching for duplicate and near-duplicate individuals and merging them
• be able to select and sort records
• provide a reasonable selection of customisable reports, charts etc
• be able to record source information

Program facilities - optional

• meets needs for one-name studies
• has multi-media facilities (e.g. for photos, sound, videos, ...)
• able to generate Web pages and sites automatically
• can produce special charts (e.g. circular charts for family trees, ...) and books
• can provide research data - on CD or by access to the Internet
• has a demo database is desirable (e.g. Royal Family, Jesus, ...)

'Demo' versions These are useful show facilities - but is it for the current version?

Does it handle 'unusual' events? The program should be able to record: 'non-married' status etc.
Limitations Is it suitable for beginners? Can it store enough records? Are there customisation options?
Support Is a printed manual available? Is technical support easily available? Is there 'user group' support?
Cost Consider total cost including: technical help and how frequently you may need to upgrade the program.