RootsMagic

by RootsMagic, Inc. (Bruce Buzbee)
A program from the developer of the very popular and well-liked Family Origins. This program is even better. Complete and easy to use with extensive reports. It has some active user groups. They also have a blog.

Purchase • Windows • Full Featured • Builds Website
http://www.rootsmagic.com/
39 Reviews, latest Jul 19, 2010
Enjoy Using It4.7 out of 54.7 out of 54.7 out of 54.7 out of 54.7 out of 5 4.70
Use It Often4.79 out of 54.79 out of 54.79 out of 54.79 out of 54.79 out of 5 4.79
Easy Input4.9 out of 54.9 out of 54.9 out of 54.9 out of 54.9 out of 5 4.90
Useful Output4.6 out of 54.6 out of 54.6 out of 54.6 out of 54.6 out of 5 4.60
Overall Rating4.7 out of 54.7 out of 54.7 out of 54.7 out of 54.7 out of 5 4.70
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39 Reviews of RootsMagic     RSS 2.0 RSS     Showing 1 - 20

RootsMagic Review by Lisa Franklin,  Jul 19, 2010

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Version 3 was GREAT! The new version 4 is a complete rewrite that lost many of the best features the software previously provided. The new version 4 is also MUCH more difficult to use, basic functionality changed from previous versions and is not easy to use. Numerous glitches and problems with the software now make me suspect loss of data integrity overall and have led me to look for another application to use that I can feel more confident and at ease with. Such a shame since Family Origins and Roots Magic have been staples for me since my days of writing genealogy software reviews in the early 90s. :(

RootsMagic Review by Ronald D. Doctor,  May 30, 2010

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I’ve used RootsMagic since it was Family Origins v.2. It just gets better and better with each iteration. Bruce Buzbee and his team are responsive to users. The online discussion group is great. Whenever I have a problem, I get prompt and accurate responses. The program itself does everything I want it to do … except for one thing. I would like it to include an “everyone” chart with all corollary lines, like Spansoft’s TreeDraw charting program does.

Biggest Pro: Full-featured AND easy to use. Highly adaptable to different classes of users.
Biggest Con: Needs an “everyone” chart and needs user enlargeable fonts in the Source Details input box.

RootsMagic Review by Ann Smart,  May 17, 2010

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It is easy to use for the beginner and yet very powerful for the advanced user. There are multiple ways to see your data. The source wizard makes it easy to correctly cite references. The to-do list can be printed by repository and that allows you to organize your research trips. The correspondence list makes it easy to organize all the emails and other correspondence received. Reports can be customized and books are easy to publish. Roots Magic to Go is a powerful addition that comes with the program. It allows you to have most of the program and all of your data on a 4G jump drive that you can use on any computer. In other words you don’t need to carry your lap top if you are working in a library that has computers.

Biggest Pro: Source Wizard, Roots Magic to Go, and To do lists

RootsMagic Review by Lynne,  May 14, 2010

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I have tried other software but once I bought RootsMagic have never needed to look elsewhere.

Biggest Pro: Very easy to use with great reports
Biggest Con: Haven’t found it yet

RootsMagic Review by Norman R. Brown,  May 10, 2010

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I have used several software programs over the years, and find RootsMagic to be at the top of the scale.
Anther program is advertised as the “Rolls Royce” of all programs but it is so complicated their mailing list is always comprised of people experiencing difficulty using it.

Biggest Pro: Ease of use.
Biggest Con: None

RootsMagic Review by Annette Towler,  May 2, 2010

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Best software out there

Biggest Pro: Easy to use

RootsMagic Review by John Carruthers,  Jan 4, 2010

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Since RootsMagic4 was first released there have been a steady release of free fixes and updates that have made the product even better. It does a very accurate direct import of FTM 2006 data files. The ability to take my data with me on a flash drive and open it with RootsMagic To Go is extremely useful. Beginners will find the program relatively easy to use.

Biggest Pro: Excellent customer support
Biggest Con: No complaints so far.

RootsMagic Review by Frank J.,  Nov 18, 2009

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I just took a look at the RootsMagic features that are new in version 4. All of them have existed in GenBox since its inception. Is Bruce just copying a good thing?

Biggest Pro: it copies many of Genbox’s great features

RootsMagic Review by JoGo,  Apr 6, 2009

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I am now using Rootsmagic 4 , it is by far the best on the market, for ease of use and excellent data output. I especially love the roots magic to -go option which allows me to take my tree with me on my memory stick.
Also like the CD to share facility. Good on you Rootsmagic.

Biggest Pro: Source Wizard and Customizable sentence templates
Biggest Con: I can’t really find one

RootsMagic Review by Mike,  Feb 26, 2009

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I’ve used RootsMagic/Family Origins since way back when DOS was King. The program is extremely easy to use and navigate. One of the most useful features is the wizard for creating sources and citations, making it almost fun to document facts and events. The selection of reports is excellent and since I’m now using a Mac, the program runs like a charm in a WinXp virtual machine on my Mac (using VMWare Fusion). I’ve sample various Mac programs and none of them compare to RM. Actually, other Windows programs don’t compare to the power, flexibility, and features RM offers.

Biggest Pro: Great Source/Citation Wizard, numerous reports, easy data entry
Biggest Con: No Mac/Linux version (but works in virtual machine)

RootsMagic Review by Allen Prunty,  Jan 10, 2009

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You have not seen anything yet! I am playing with the preview version of rootsmagic 4.

Version 3 was awesome… but 4 is taking it way above and beyond the third version.

Allen

RootsMagic Review by Lisa,  Dec 13, 2008

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RootsMagic for me is the best software on the market, especially the way it handles sources was the one thing that made me buy it, and it works really well. Also the elaborate reports you can print and the tasks you can add make it the program for me. Can’t wait to get my hands on the new release, that will probably make it spiral through the roof!

Biggest Pro: handling of sources
Biggest Con: can’t think of any

RootsMagic Review by Mary Beth Dalton,  Dec 5, 2008

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With twelve years of experience in genealogy, I’ve used RootsMagic since it first came out on the market, and only used Famiy Origins before that. I guess that means I don’t have anything else to compare it to, but I’ve convinced a lot of people to try RootsMagic and they just love it in comparison to whatever they used before. They like the on-screen displays, the reports, the ability to find people in the database, the ease with which to enter sources and find people - the list goes on and on!

Biggest Pro: Generates great To Do Lists
Biggest Con: No hope if you’ve deleted information - it’s really gone!

RootsMagic Review by Joanne Saltman,  Oct 27, 2008

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after using Family Tree maker for years I changed about 5 years ago to Roots Magic and have never regretted it. It is very easy to use and has lots of user defined facets which make it even better for an experienced amateur genealogist. The user group is also a terrific resource.

Biggest Pro: easy to input new data
Biggest Con: learning how to do the myriad different reports

RootsMagic Review by Rita,  Oct 10, 2008

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Used Family Origins years ago then switched to Roots Magic when it came out. I have tried other programs but find this to be the easiest. It meets all the needs I have for complete input including great source input. But one of the greatest parts of Roots Magic is the help site. Any question or problem is quickly addressed. AND the wish list is a great part of the help site. It is obvious that Bruce (the Roots Magician) really takes this wish list serious. Every upgrade has been exciting.

RootsMagic Review by fizzbomb,  Oct 8, 2008

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My journey through genealogical softwares was PAF > Generations > Family Origins > RootsMagic. I purchased RM when it first came out and have been extremely satisfied. I continue to review other softwares but they all come up short after RootsMagic.
It is easy to use and yet sophisticated enough for advanced users. The SourceWizard is the best I have seen. The Shareable CD feature is fantastic for easily sharing data with non-genealogical relatives. The customizable wall charting is phenomenal.
Every time Bruce comes out with an update, I believe he’s outdone himself. RM4 promises to totally blow my mind.

Biggest Pro: Superior technical support for the RootsMagician himself.
Biggest Con: Does not support non-traditional relationships, such as committed partners and same sex couples.

RootsMagic Review by Annette D. Towler,  Oct 3, 2008

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Have used it since days of Family Origins, better written and easier to add notes, sources, pictures and update and correct, and merge information.

Biggest Pro: Sourcing and Merging

RootsMagic Review by Josephine,  Oct 3, 2008

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I started with Family Origins 4 and been with this series of programs ever since.

RootsMagic Review by Burnis Argo,  Oct 2, 2008

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I began genealogy on computer with another program many years ago and found it was not very user friendly so didn’t use it much. Then a cousin of my husband wanted to share some information with me and opened up her FamilyOrigins2 program. I found it so much easier to use I immediately sent off for a copy (by then FO3) and have been with FamilyOrigins and then RootsMagic ever since. From time to time I have tried other programs at the urging of friends and relatives but have never found any of them to be what I needed and wanted in a genealogy program. I always return to FO/RootsMagic so will ignore those urging from others from now on.

Biggest Pro: I love the support Bruce Buzbee et al offer on-line in the blog and tech support site. And he really listens carefully to the program users in developing his patches and upgrades.
Biggest Con: If there is one I haven’t found it yet.

Show 21-39 »

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