Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16

by MyFamily.com
The number one selling genealogy program of all time. Produces a wide variety of reports and charts. This entry is for Family Tree Maker as it existed up to Version 16, which was then rewritten entirely in 2008. Because the versions are so different, please use this entry for the older versions and use the FTM Since 2008 entry to review the newer versions.

Unsupported • Windows • Mac • Full Featured • Builds Website
http://web.archive.org/web/20060803064623/http://familytreemaker.com/
18 Reviews, latest Aug 9, 2010
Enjoy Using It4.03 out of 54.03 out of 54.03 out of 54.03 out of 54.03 out of 5 4.03
Use It Often4.19 out of 54.19 out of 54.19 out of 54.19 out of 54.19 out of 5 4.19
Easy Input4.23 out of 54.23 out of 54.23 out of 54.23 out of 54.23 out of 5 4.23
Useful Output3.72 out of 53.72 out of 53.72 out of 53.72 out of 53.72 out of 5 3.72
Overall Rating3.93 out of 53.93 out of 53.93 out of 53.93 out of 53.93 out of 5 3.93
Add Your Review

18 Reviews of Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16     RSS 2.0 RSS

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Ruth Hunt,  Aug 9, 2010

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I like my Family Tree Maker Version 16. I have been using it since it first came out. My problem is that I have purchased a new computer with Windows 7 64 bits and it won’t let me downloaded my program.
I don’t like all the programs so I would be much like to keep this one.
R HUnt

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Ed,  May 14, 2010

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I have been using FTM since 2001. As the years wemt by I upgraded my programs, until I bought V-2010 for my sister. What a shock!! An upgrade that removes blocks of the program provided by V-16. When I tried to load my entire V-16 program onto her computer it looked OK, until you tried to open some documents and then the fun started………….. This program has over 7,000 individuals with supporting documents by the thousands.
Today I look for V-16 to purchase so I can replace V-2010 for my family members. I am a 64 marker DNA participant and have 4 family files, the smalles is over 2,000 individuals. I use three computers as backup and update with a thumb drive, daily. Backup, backup, backup.

Biggest Pro: Very easy to use and very stable, backs up to your computer so you have 100% control
Biggest Con: Keeps Ancestry.com out of my business, which really ain’t that bad

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Linda,  May 4, 2010

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I have used Family Tree Maker since 2005 and currently use FTM 2006/Version 16. I have purchased 2008 and 2009 which I do NOT use and have uninstalled because the latter want to be the “end-all” to genealogy for everyone. It is is not.

Apparently FTM 2006 (with the auto update to Version 16) is no longer available for sale–it is a far better program than the later FTMs.

Version 16 allows for much customization whereas the later versions fight you. I like the way you can import images and then delete them off the computer because the images are stored within the program–NOT so with the later versions although they “automatically” can be inputted, but they require a separate folder.

So much for Family Tree Maker. I am sure it won’t be long before they abandon support for Version 16. Ever since the company has changed hands again … they are not as responsive as they used to be. Sad.

Now I am looking at RootsMagic … any ideas for a good program and is easy to use and yet powerful in handling huge files?

Biggest Pro: Ease of customization and a nice, simple image editing tool within the program. Images for SOURCES!
Biggest Con: Lack of good support and they tell you to purchase FTM 2010.

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Anne I Powell,  Mar 3, 2010

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Hi Family Tree Maker 2005,
This is Anne I Powell, I want to know that my computer shut down last weeks ag. I have lost my family tree maker and they counted 13,940 families. It is very sad lost. I can’t do that I work very hard. I will be go back again later. My family tree maker does not work and I need to know about secret number?? Please reply to me sooner. Thank you so much. What is your phone number??
Please write down this letter sooner thanks.
Your Truly,
Anne I Powell
2210 Dawson Cove Ln S
Clovis CA 93611

Biggest Pro: Anne Powell

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by STANLEY COHEN,  Jan 31, 2010

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I have been using ftm 16 for many years and for my needs has everything that I require with over 500 names. Now it does not want to update on line. They say this is being fixed but it has been this way for several months thus I doubt if online updating of the family tree will again be available though the web site and old tree is still there. I think they are trying to force the buying of the new 2010 program or update which I refuse to do.

Biggest Pro: easy to use, full tree exposure at one time
Biggest Con: Thebiggest con is FTM itself for not allowing online tree updating after buying FTM 16

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by jo,  Jul 18, 2009

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I have used FTM 2006 v16 since day one. I liked it but when the company was sold, the new company changed the format and the print was not large enough. I also lost my version 16. I tried 2008, 2009 and don’t like them. I prefer 2006 but unfortunately my “EXE” has stopped working in my photo albums and I have not been able to get it correctd in two years. The program still “shuts” down. I have tried everything listed in the web, but nothing works. I have over 300 names listed in it and have put years of labor and time in it. If necessary, I will print what I do have and call it quits. This “exe” probllem has caused too many heart aches.

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Randy Seaver,  Dec 12, 2008

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I’ve used FTM since 1998. It is very easy to learn and to use. The screens are intuitive. The navigation is flawless. The ahnentafel, Register and NGSQ reports are excellent. Charts are OK. Books are OK, but lack flexibility in editing.

There are no maps, and source citations are not done to EE standards.

Biggest Pro: Data input is very easy
Biggest Con: Can’t do a freaking ahnentafel list!

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Suzanne,  Oct 25, 2008

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Have been using FTM since 1995. Generally the program has improved over the years but with some exceptions: e.g. it used to indicate on the Family View Page if you had conflicting information, such as an alternative date of birth. Entering sources is a bit awkward and the use of ibid. is not supported in book creation. The linked Ancestry.com search is rather poor; often the suggestions bear no relationship to the person being researched — wrong gender, completely different time frame, different state or country of residence,.etc.

Biggest Pro: Fairly easy to learn and input new data
Biggest Con: Frequent upgrades are expensive

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Russ,  Oct 9, 2008

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I have been using the Family Tree Maker program since Version 3.4. As the program has matured over the years, it has helped me keep track of my Ancestor Collection.

As of October 2008, I will continue to keep Version 16 on my PC so because there are some features in this version that are not yet implemented in the re-written version 2008 / 2009.

As a user, I have participated in various Online User to User forums. The more I try to help, the more I learn.

Thanks for asking.

Biggest Pro: Easy to use

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Gina Heffernan,  Oct 7, 2008

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I’ve been using FTM for about 15 years and use it for my main database purposes. I currently have version 7.0 (1999) and have not considered updating again. It’s easy to learn and easy to use and can be updated if that’s an issue. I love the autofill feature, which is available in almost every text box. The help file taught me a lot about genealogy once I started using it. I tried Legacy but came back to FTM, mostly for the autofill.

Biggest Pro: Easy to use and easy on the eyes
Biggest Con: Limited reporting

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Anne,  Oct 4, 2008

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I switched from PAF to FTM v8, and lasted just a few weeks until I could stand it no longer and switched back. In particular I found it impossible to create GEDCOM files of just one branch of the tree. There were some handy features, like the autocomplete for names and places.

Biggest Pro: Family view page
Biggest Con: Creating GEDCOM files

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by David,  Sep 30, 2008

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This is adequate as a starter program, and its output is quite good, but it is quite limited, and source citations are cumbersome and limited.

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Kerry Raymond,  Sep 29, 2008

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Family Tree Maker is a good all-round work horse for family history. It does most things well enough for most people’s needs. Most of its fields are sufficiently generously sized to take all the data I want to enter (I’ve hit limitations in some other software). It supports the definition and searching of user-defined fields. It has a good variety of reports and trees but a fair level of support to customise these in many ways. It’s reasonably intuitive to use, although some more exotic things (like people with multiple parents) can take some study of the Help to figure out how to do it.

However if you are a “power user”, then FTM can become a little frustrating. I get annoyed that I can’t use SQL-like queries in the Custom Report. I get annoyed that I can’t enter a source once and connect it to all the pieces of information it supports (you have to repeatedly enter it for each piece of information - thank goodness for copy and paste). It’s desire to store photos and other material within the database blows it out to ridiculous sizes. It doesn’t have good integration with email addresses, URLs and the Internet more generally.

Biggest Pro: Good all-round family history tool
Biggest Con: lack of SQL support for searching and reporting

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Terri,  Sep 29, 2008

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Have used various versions of FTM, PAF, and a few others I don’t even remember the names of. Have liked FTM the best! I use version 16 (2006), haven’t upgraded to 2008 because of problems I’ve heard other genealogists say they had with it, waiting to see what 2009 version has, or what others say about it.

As for the Ver.16, I love it, has always been easy to use, get around in, has great report functions, etc. I love that I can add photos, notes,stories, etc. and as a long time user of Ancestry.com, I love the integration with the two, I can add so many source documents right to my family tree. A huge timesaver!!!!

Biggest Pro: Not expensive, has great features
Biggest Con: only con is that I have trouble “merging two individuals”, always get message that can’t be merged when too many family members, etc?

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Norman Henke,  Sep 29, 2008

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FTM was my first Genealogy program in 2005. I have tried many different programs on the PC and still like FTM’s Family View as the easiest way to enter new data. You can still find copies of FTM 16 for sale on the web for $15.

Biggest Pro: Tight integration with Ancestry.com
Biggest Con: Being replaced by FTM 2009

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Michael Maher,  Sep 25, 2008

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Enjoy using the previous versions but do not care for the latest two.

Biggest Pro: Easy input and storage.
Biggest Con: Limited output — generally use other programs for reports, etc.

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Sylvia Lail,  Sep 25, 2008

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I have only used FTM, so I have nothing to compare it to. I feel that long-time users should get a discount when an update for FTM is offered new to the public. I have considered shopping around.

Biggest Pro: Output is hard to use and very hard to read.
Biggest Con: Buying a new version each time there is an update.

Family Tree Maker - Up To Version 16 Review by Al Tieman,  Sep 25, 2008

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I have used various editions of Family Tree Maker over the years, mainly as a reader for their Data CDs and as gedcoms from Ancestry. Com other than that save your money buy a better program like The Master Genealogist if you use a PC or Reunion if your on a MAC

Biggest Pro: NONE SAVE YOUR MONEY!
Biggest Con: Poor Report funcions, hard to get around in!

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