Ancestry.com to retire Family Tree Maker software - what software do you use?

[seaglass]

http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2015/12/08/ancestry-to-retire-family-tree-maker-software/

"Ancestry will continue to support current owners of Family Tree Maker at least through January 1, 2017. During this time, all features of the software, including TreeSync™, will continue to work, and Member Services will be available to assist with user questions. We will also address major software bugs that may occur, as well as compatibility updates."

The primary reason I like FTM is because of the sync between Ancestry and my local db. If Ancestry opens the API to other developers - and I don't know if this is a consideration - I wouldn't be bothered about switching to another program.

What program do you use/like? I know some used Master Genealogist and I heard that was also discontinued?

[historylovr]

1. I have Legacy Family Tree, but there's a learning curve, which is why I use Ancestry.com's

software. Here are some others:

http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

[csziggy]

2. I have FTM and have been using it because of the sync with Ancestry

I have TMG and you're right - it was discontinued last year though their forums are still active. I really preferred their way of linking sources to specific facts and that I could link the same entry to various people, for instance I used it to connect heirs to wills and children to census reports.

So long as those two work for me, I am not going to worry about changing but I will start scoping out other possibilities.

ETA - My MIL still uses PAF from LDS as she has for 30 years but she was disturbed that it has been discontinued. They recommend Ancestral Quest, Legacy Family Tree, and RootsMagic and provide links to each: https://familysearch.org/paf All three offer free versions but you have to pay for the full version of each.

Ancestral Quest is more similar to PAF and they claim that the original PAF for Windows code came from them. I told MIL if she needs to change programs she should go to it.

[HeiressofBickworth]

3. I'm a real dinosaur

I'm still using the Family Tree Maker 2000 version of Broderbundt 7.5 (before being bought by Ancestry).
So, for data management, reports, etc., my old, unsupported version continues to work just fine. A potential problem is I can't update my operating system because this old version won't run on anything newer than Windows 98. But I continue to plod along, seemingly without problems. I back up on an external thingie (lack of technical knowledge showing here)

After reading the comments on their blog, the ones who will be hard-hit will be the ones who download entire trees into their desktop FTM, merge Ancestry information or who are in the habit of up-loading their findings to Ancestry. It appears the connection between Ancestry and a person's desktop FTM that will be lost and they will no longer make corrections or adjustments to the database.

They probably will offer something that will only be on their website (and not on your desktop) which will force users to enter ALL of their information to Ancestry's website, verified or not. If I ever need to change databases, I'll look around for something that isn't connected to Ancestry.

[kdmorris]

4. I'm using FTM

You'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands because I love the Tree Sync. I guess they will be prying it from my hands in 2017, but until then, I'll just keep using it and hope they will reconsider.

[kdmorris]

5. Good news (for some of us)

Dear Family Tree Maker™ community,

Since our Family Tree Maker announcement last December, we have continued to actively explore ways to develop and support Family Tree Maker and ensure you have choices to preserve your work in ways that matter to you.

Today, we are pleased to announce two options for desktop software that will work with Ancestry.

Software MacKiev

Software MacKiev, with whom we have a long-standing relationship, is acquiring the Family Tree Maker software line as publisher for both Mac and Windows versions. Software MacKiev has been the developer of Family Tree Maker for Mac for more than six years and is thrilled at the opportunity to publish future versions of Family Tree Maker for Mac and Windows.

This new agreement means you will receive software updates and new versions from Software MacKiev, and have the ability to purchase new versions of Family Tree Maker from Software MacKiev as they are released. You will have continued access to Ancestry Hints, Ancestry searches, and be able to save your tree on Ancestry with Family Tree Maker moving forward.

RootsMagic

We have made an agreement with RootsMagic, a leading genealogy desktop software program publisher, to connect Ancestry with the RootsMagic software by the end of 2016. With this new relationship, RootsMagic can serve as your desktop family tree software, while having access to Ancestry hints, Ancestry searches, and the ability to save your tree on Ancestry.

We have heard your concerns and are working to provide the solutions you requested. These new agreements will make it possible to preserve your work on Ancestry and Family Tree Maker and enable future features and benefits to help you discover your family history. Be assured that Ancestry, in cooperation with Software MacKiev and RootsMagic, will continue to support you as you discover your family history.

We ask for your patience as we work diligently through all the details to make these solutions available. You can find additional details about these Family Tree Maker partnerships on our blog. We also encourage you to continue to check back on our blog for future updates in the coming months.