Family Tree Maker 2008 Service Packs

A The recent release of Family Tree Maker 2008 has created a lot of discussion about the all-new program, especially what is or is not included within the new release. You can see much of that discussion in the 80+ comments at the end of my earlier article at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/08/family-tree-mak.html.

Now The Generations Network, producers of Family Tree Maker 2008, has sent an e-mail to all purchasers of the program mapping the company's plans to continually add new features and fix bugs:

Essential Upgrades to Family Tree Maker 2008

Dear Family Tree Maker Customer:

Thank you for your recent purchase of Family Tree Maker 2008. We are continually working to improve the product and wanted to let you know about some upcoming enhancements.

Free Program Updates

Service Pack 1: We just released a program update that resolves some performance issues that have been brought to our attention. If you have registered your Family Tree Maker software, the next time you open the program you will automatically receive a message prompting you to install the program update (you must be connected to the Internet to receive the automatic notification). The installation process is quick and secure. We urge you to take advantage of this program update, which will improve your experience using the software.

Service Pack 2: In mid-October we will enhance the program’s Publish capabilities. In particular, this release reintroduces several popular reports from previous versions of Family Tree Maker. Again, if you have registered your software, you will be automatically notified when the program update becomes available. You can also access up-to-date information about program enhancements by visiting the Program Updates page on the Family Tree Maker website.

Book Publishing
Many of you have asked about our plans for expanding the program’s book publishing capabilities. Some Family Tree Maker customers have already explored Ancestry Press, our new online self-publishing application, and are excited by the possibilities it offers for creating customized family history books. Other customers have contacted us to say they would feel more comfortable using a desktop book building tool. Our goal is to offer an integrated solution that combines the advantages of both an online application and a desktop application.

Ancestry Press: In the coming months we will be adding many new features and templates to the Ancestry Press book building tool. We are also working to improve the integration between Family Tree Maker and Ancestry Press. Next month you will receive a coupon for 50% off your first professionally printed Ancestry Press book.

Desktop Tool: We are developing a desktop book building tool that we will provide free of charge to all Family Tree Maker 2008 customers next summer. This tool will allow you to print your book from home or, if you prefer, create a PDF that you can have professionally printed and bound through the Ancestry Press book printing service or another vendor of your choice.

Customer Feedback

Family Tree Maker 2008 represents a new strategic direction for the software and provides a robust platform for future development. While we are excited about the program’s many new features and the opportunities to extend its functionality, we recognize that the new approach is a departure from previous versions of the software and that some of our loyal customers have concerns about switching to the new version.

For information about specific features that have changed, please visit the Knowledge Base on the Family Tree Maker website. If you don’t find an answer to your question, please let us know. You can use the enhancement request form to submit questions and comments as well as suggestions for new features. While we cannot respond personally to each message, we do consider all suggestions and will post answers to frequently asked questions on the Knowledge Base for the benefit of the whole community.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to offer an even better family tree building experience to our valued customers. We appreciate the feedback you have already provided and look forward to an ongoing dialogue about how we can improve the product.

Best wishes,

The Family Tree Maker team

A NOTE ABOUT PRIVACY: When you upload your family tree to Ancestry.com, you can control the privacy settings on your tree and on projects you create in Ancestry Press.

If you choose the Personal Tree setting, other Ancestry members will not be able to view your tree, but the names of deceased individuals in your tree—as well as their birthdates and birthplaces—may appear in the search index. Ancestry members searching for those individuals can contact you anonymously through Ancestry’s Connection Service to request more information.

If you choose the Public Tree setting, other Ancestry members will be able to view your tree and, if they find common ancestors, merge specific lines into their own family trees. Ancestry members who are doing research on your family lines can contact you anonymously through Ancestry’s Connection Service to request and share information.

Regardless of your privacy setting, information about people who appear to be living is automatically hidden and will not be displayed in the search index.
By default, any project you create in Ancestry Press is completely private unless you choose to share it with specific individuals or with the community. Beginning in October, you’ll have the ability to invite your family members to view and contribute to your project—even if they are not Ancestry subscribers."

Comments

[Sandy Coulter]

I was surprised to receive the above email from Generations Network, especially after having written their technical support about the missing genealogy report and books features. I was told that a patch will be available in October that will address some of the "missing reports." I have also requested a new report be developed that will match two FTM files and print a report of the differences, which I have done several times before. I must say that it seems Generations Network has been listening to us. Hopefully they follow through.

[Judith Arnn-Knight]

I have not checked their website since this article but I see nothing to indicate that they plan to include the functionality of reading their older CDs that many of us bought. When Dick published his first article I checked with ancestry.com to make sure I understood correctly that we could NO longer use all those CDs purchased over the years. I have Windows XP and they do not have a desktop program to read the CDs that can be used for this version of windows. I was told that the new version would not support the reading of those CDs.

This seems really short sighted unless they are planning to re-release all those data in a format readable by 2008. Maybe some techie will write a program to at least access the CDs; I rarely used the function to check against my database.

Think I will keep what I have.

[Harry Rudd]

I am surprised that I have received no notification personally regarding the release of the new Family Tree Maker software. I only learned about it through regular genealogy media announcements. In the past I have received notice of new versions and been offered to upgrade at a reduced rate which I have done every time, but not for this version. So much for customer loyalty!

[Judy Beeten]

I have found FamilyTreeMaker 2008 to be the most user UNfriendly update they have every produced. It started with not taking in all my family trees when installed. The Websearch feature is so inferior to FTM 16 - you cannot view info on the family on the bottom anymore - you have a 1/16th of an inch view which you can scroll - and you have to go through more steps to go through a websearch. I wasted time clicking on the person I wanted to do a Websearch on and continually got the last person I searched. Guess I have to go thru the entire training program. Never had to do this before and I don't think this is a better program to devote all that time. I have been using FTM since the 80's - maybe their first program and have never encountered such a confusing program. I would not mind if it was more convenient but it is not. Can you tell I am really frustrated? Sorry to vent. Who was that techie who thought this was a great improvement? Judy

[jking]

Does anyone else find this humorous?

"Desktop Tool: We are developing a desktop book building tool that we will provide free of charge to all Family Tree Maker 2008 customers next summer."

Just in time for the release of FTM 2009.

[Roxann]

I thought I was the only one who had difficulty adjusting to this newer version. I am trying to adapt, but still feel that the older version was much easier to navigate than this new one.

[ELI]

I bought it. after all the negative comments I am not sure I want to install it. ELI

[Cheryl]

I bought it too, however I'm not about to put my "real" genealogy on it before they get the bugs out and I learn how to use it. I agree that it is much more confusing than the other versions. There are a few features I really like, though, and so I'm going to try to be patient through this process while I "play" a little with the new version and really use the old one.

[Linda Johnston]

I didn't buy the new FTM 2008 version. It appeared, to me, that Ancestry was in such a rush to get the new version on the market, that they were selling a Beta product, without the bugs worked out. It seems that my suspicions have now been confirmed. One does not have to get patches for a "flat tire", if one does not purchase a flat tire, in the first place.

Ancestry seems to be great in the "promises dept.". However, when it comes to fulfilling those promises, they fall short of doing so. I am still awaiting the reconstruction of the 1890 census that was promised over seven years ago. They are constantly announcing partnerships with various repositories, but only put very small portions, if anything, on their site. I have grown weary of their marketing practices, especially when I see that all the money I've spent on their CDs, would be wasted, if I were to buy FTM 2008. The subscription rate, for access to their site, has grown increasingly prohibitive, for many individuals. It is, for those reasons, my decision to spend my money where I can get a reasonable return on my investment. That is not with Ancestry.

Unless, and until, some of their foibles are corrected, I will be using RootsWeb, the LDS site, the large network of relatives I have connected with, and the substantial library of books I have managed to accumulate, to develop my family lines and to assist others. The "payback" from these sources, is much richer than I can ever hope to receive from Ancestry. I am exploring other software to use in my research, too. FTM has always been my software of choice; but I can learn how to use a different one. It is too difficult to rationalize purchase of a product that seems to be going "downhill", when others are progressing.

[lds gift shopper]

I have been looking into the software but haven't bought it yet, so thank you for the information.

[Trish Lewis]

I have no experience with prior versions of FTM, and have bought the new FTM2008 and love it. Maybe having to prior experience in this case is a plus...!

[Athena]

Current FTM users will find this comprehensive list of dropped features, broken function, and marketing misrepresentations quite interesting.

http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.software.famtreemaker/3446.10/mb.ashx

As an FTM16 user, I'm going to keep what I have and wait for a version with concrete functional enhancements. Those who are using earlier versions, might want to get a copy of FTM16 while it's still available from online users and just sit out this degraded "update".

[B. Bowman]

I've been a loyal customer of Family Tree Maker for the past 17 yr, and until FTM2008, each version was an incremental improvement over the previous one - not so this time. I think they have insulted their entire loyal customer base by releasing a very incomplete and buggy program such as this, obviously planning on later releasing patches to try to correct their blunders. My FTM2008 data file is 230% larger than the previous version. I suspect that they are most interested in trying to increase revenues from online data search subscriptions - the "free subscription" for 2 weeks to Ancestry.com was misleading, as one could really access very little useful information without paying another $25/month for the real subscription - I call this "bait and switch", much like shady used car dealers.
I wouldn't recommend this version to anyone!

[Ginny in Poughkeepsie]

With such a disastrous original release - I don't know how anyone can rely on upgrades - I purchased FTM 2008 on line - and returned it within a week for credit - When I called MyFamily to ask if I needed a Return Authorization #, I was told I did not - I did return all received FTM 2008 materials in the packaging they arrived in along with a copy of the confirming e-mail I received when I first order the product marked "Returned for Credit - Please credit my Account." I put all this in a USPS Priority Mail mailer and used USPS Delivery Confirmation to mail this disaster back to MyFamily. My credit card account was credited for all but the original shipping charges of $4.00 and of course I am out the $5.25 it cost me to ship the disaster back. Do yourself a favor - don't order it - then you won't have to return it and you can save yourself $9.25 - in my book MyFamily/Ancestry/The Generations Network still owes me $9.25 for this diaster - However I guess I can tell myself I bought them for $9.25 - Done - finished - kaput is what I am - they can keep their program and their Upgrades/Service Paks - whatever they want to call them.

At the same time - I did donate $100 tax deductible dollars to USGenNet http://www.usgennet.org/ to support what others voluntarily share "Free" on the Internet - just my own personal way of saying to MyFamily/Ancestry/The Generations Network - "in your face you greedy money grubbing unethical money making hogs" as regards their other faisco with the "Internet Biographical Collection".

Enough is Enough!

MyFamily/Ancestry/The Generations Network should stick with what they are good at like what they have done with the Census and stop trying to have it all. After all some day they may have it all but none of it will be of quality - FTM 2008 sure wasn't.

Oh and by the way I currently use Family Tree Maker v. 16 and have used FTM since 1994 but will search for another program if I ever find I NEED to upgrade - "If it ain't broke - I ain't gonna fix it."

[Amanuensis]

Ginny, I am puzzled. If, as you say at the end of your message, you do not presently feel the need to upgrade from FTM 16, then why did you do so?

Also, the fact that you just gave $100 to a free site just made it not free for you. You might say, well, someone has to pay. Exactly! Someone always has to pay, or it would not exist. There is no such thing as "free genealogy" just as there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Now that I have dispelled that illusion, at least to those who are willing to take off their rose colored glasses, then spend your money in the most efficient manner possible to get the answers you need. Personally, I find that Ancestry.com gets me a lot more information at less expense than anything else, especially when I assign a realistic value to my time. If your milage varies, then do what works for you. But don't sneer at those of us who are not as "pure" as you. Ancestry.com may or may not be a "money-grubbing hog" but what I pay them sure "brings home the bacon" for me.

[Ginny in Poughkeepsie]

Well now "Amanuensis", I will not debate on someone else's blog - I had been using v10 FTM up until 2008 came out - was waiting for 2008 because I expected it to be the excellent program I had been using for years - NO - NOT - it was garbage - when I saw what a disaster 2008 was I UNINSTALLED IT and ran out as quickly as possible and purchased v16.

I am a proud member of USGenNet and am administrator of three sites on that Server - I have dedicated hundreds of hours and HTMLing to those pages and could use the tax deduction - something you don't get from Ance$try - I support the organizations I belong to! I prefer to support public non-profit entities not greedy corporate giants.

[Ginny in Poughkeepsie]

For a discussion on "Amanuensis" go here:
Footnote Maven Genealogical Blog - Commenting on Commenting
http://footnotemaven.blogspot.com/2007/09/commenting-on-commenting.html

You just gotta wonder who . . . . . . . . .

I know I did. . . . . . .

[Bob Martell]

I ordered Family Tree Maker 2008 and am so upset. I have used FTM since it's inception. What they have done is sell a Beta program and eliminated Genealogy reports and given out a lousy program. Whoever is responsible should be let go. I am using the CD as a coffee coaster and actively looking to switch to something that I can trust. They really let their loyal customers down.

[Dino (All Dino, All the Time)]

Ginny,

That sure was an interesting link about Amanuensis, his real identity and job. Although I enjoy reading his posts, it certainly casts a disingenuous pallor over them. I'll take them with a grain of salt (or a whole shaker) from now on.

[Ooo Emm Gee]

Amanuensis, without revealing that he is Ancestry.com employee, said
> Personally, I find that Ancestry.com gets me a lot more information at less expense than anything else...

... what I pay them sure "brings home the bacon" for me.
You mean they pay you, right?

Hm, Amanuensis, just how many of you get paid for this sock-puppetting?
Ancestry.com should stop paying you, and hire someone useful, say somebody who LISTENS.

[ned]

This is the poorest version of FTM I have used. I have bee using this product since 1997. Also when importing Gedcom files from other than FTM the sources do not import back into their program. Where is there a decent editing program for Gedcom files. I do know you have to change all lines that begin with 1 DATA to 1 TITL, why? Is not TITL reserved for some one's Title such as DEA. or DR. or REV.

I do not like the format of this new 2008. Yes they have put out a patch however when installing the patch be sure to turn off you Virus Protection or you will have a corrupt program and have to reinstall 2008 again after uninstalling the existing the you have.

Note: 2008 is so different it will coexist with an older version of Family Tree Maker.

[Joy Rich]

Amanuensis's "signature" links to http://www.apgen.org/directory/search_detail.html?mbr_id=820, the entry for a professional genealogist named Chad Milliner.

I googled "chad milliner." The first result is a listing for Chad Milliner on zoominfo. It says that Chad Milliner is a Content Specialist for THE GENERATIONS NETWORK, aka MYFAMILY.COM aka ANCESTRY.COM!

[Mark]

I've used many version of FTM. I've only had FTM 2008 installed for a day so I can't comment on too much at the moment. The one thing that I DO NOT like it having to upload (send) my genealogy file away from my computer to a server(s) not knowing who has access to my work. I'm VERY UNCOMFORTABLE about this feature. My work will stay in my hards, not someone elses. The publishing software NEEDS to remain on the users computer. Our genealogy work needs to be secure and in control of the user/owner, not out in the public unless that is what the user wishes. Publishing my work is important to me, but not at the risk of allowing others to take control of my years of work... Sorry FTM, you started out with a good idea and improvements in this area with FTM 16/2006, but not with FTM 2008.

[Joy Rich]

Amanuensis/Chad Milliiner owes Ginny in Poughkeepsie an apology for saying that she was sneering at us. Amanuensis/Chad Milliiner has been sneering at us by sending post after post after post to this blog in praise of Ancestry without bothering to mention that he's their employee.

[JK]

If anyone who has bought FTM 2008 and doesn't like it (which is most of the people who have posted it seems) you can still go out and purchase V. 16 at your local Office Max, in fact I suggest you do so because the Office Max near me is selling the Collector's Edition of it for $50 bucks. That's right, I wish I had waited a couple of months to get my copy of V.16 because I could've saved $30 but speaking of V.16 I LOVE it and am glad I never wanted to try the next one. And to the poster who said they had no experience with any other version of FTM and LIKED FTM 2008, I have had NO experience with any other version of Family Tree Maker EXCEPT V.16, in fact the program I had previously, Generations Liberty Edition, was very similar in style, at least as far as adding information, to FTM V.16 so I am very happy with it and wouldn't change. I also probably will NOT try for an upgrade since the Collector's Edition has what I want even if I didn't sign up for the year of Ancestry.

[Jana Murray]

This FTM 2008 is a joke. I bought it because Vista wouldn't work with my old FTM. Now neither ONE works and I've had real computer experts working on this problem. I can't import my information of 2g and I relly hate the extra steps that were built in for some stupid reason.You can't read the info you are trying to merge. If you are just starting out on your genealogy you don't know any better but I personally hate drop downs and really hate the fact that cds can't be read. It is a really bad program that was not thought through and rushed out. I am convinced that some idiot decided that he knew what was best for FTM and no one would care if it was radically changed. Well that just isn't true and Ancestry.com has a real black eye.

[Athena]

>> I bought it because Vista wouldn't work with my old FTM.<<

A Vista update is available for FTM13-16. See here for more information

http://past.familytreemaker.com/vistaupdate/Default.aspx

FTM16 is still available at a reasonable price from several web vendors. The Deluxe and Collectors Editions even include a one-year subscription to Ancestry.

[Margie]

I bought FTM 2008 when it was first offered, installed it, and two days later uninstalled it. Enough said...

[Fixitkid]

FTM 2008 looks as if it was made for new genealogists. For someone with over 17000 names in their file, what a dissapointment. I bought it because my v 16 has developed some problems, tech support wasn't a help. Too busy with 2008 I guess. After the painstaking process of linking research data to v16 to find the images not supported in 2008 was adisappointment. In addition, when searching you are almost required to have ahard copy so that you get new data not repeat. I'm going back to my V16.

[FanOfFamHx]

I just found this site and feel so validated. I have spent all frustrating afternoon trying to get FTM 2008 to open my *.ftw file created in a previous version of FTM. My data file still opens without problem in FTM 16 and TMG. The Ancestry.com guidance for the problem is as follows (no joke): compact my data, re-index, export individuals, file check/fix, save as an older version, and export to GEDCOM for reimport back into FTM 2008. I am supposed to do all of these things to ensure the problem with MY DATA is fixed. Why do I have to do all this work on MY data file when it works just fine with other applications??? Maybe fixing the SOFTWARE to read my data file instead of manipulating my data (with potential disastrous results) to make it work for the program is a better answer. What a load of crap!! I wasn't about to follow those instructions!! And another word of warning, when I attempted to purchase FTM 2008 on the Internet and then by phone, my bank refused to allow the transaction to go through because VISA has some sort of block on purchases from Ancestry.com due to very high levels of credit card fraud. So beware. I'm not sure what's happening with this company, but this is the first time I've been really disappointed with their products, their service, their answers to my technical questions, or their business ethics.

Shipping all my purchases back on Monday!!

[FTM 2008 User]

I am highly discusted at TGN and Ancestry with this release - it lookes beautiful BUT it doesn't work... I've tried it on three different machines and with Vista of varying flavors and even XP and the sign-on to Ancestry is "Unable to Authenticate" my access and the program hangs on a web-script failure? Clearly they're using the own web-interface and not IE directly. So I even reinstalled FTM version 16 only to discover that the web interface on this is also proprietry and FAILS to get access! So NOW what am I to do - dump my VISTA ?????

Also, I would love to know who TGN used to finally decide on how to design the tool for Genealogists (home grown or pro) because it feels like a programmer built the finall application and not Software Analysts (who would work with real world requirements).

[John Dyer]

I want to add my voice to those who want a version that will use the hundred or so CDs I have purchased................. not just read them, but import and sync...

I will keep my version 16

[Carolyn Seaman]

Because I use the Family Archive CDs, I thought an upgrade to FTM 2008 was in order. However, I have yet to find the way to access the many CDs I own. Thank you, I will stick to my old FTM (Version 11) for CD reading purposes only and use Legacy, IMO a far superior product, to maintain my database.

[Suzia]

For anyone still wishing to upgrade but avoid the ill-famed FTM 2008 . . .
As of today The Collector's Edition of Family Tree Maker version 16 (with free Ancestry subscription) is still available at the sale price of $19.95 at http://store.purplus.net/fatrmacove16.html .

Thanks to Marie for posting this link to another thread.

[Bruce in Dryden ON]

I spent three hours browsing FRM 2008 last night and have yet to find our 'reference ID numbers' that had been featured in every version of FTM through 2005.

In previous editions, each individual was automatically assigned a reference ID number. This singular number became the basis of our filing system for photos, documents, et al. Many of our friends in genealogy were doing the same.

In moving our file to FTM 2008 - the previously assigned 'Reference ID Numbers' seem to have disappeared....making a filing system that files and entire room virtually useless.

Has anyone else experienced this glitch?

[Glenn Lane]

FTM 2008 HAS STOPPED TAKING NEW SOURCE-CITATIONS FOR MY TREE! I suggested over 2 years ago that they look to see if the citation for a particular source already matched one already filed (common, say, for entries from a census), instead of storing a duplicate source-citation. That caused multiple duplicate footnotes on reports. The number of source-citations in my file has reached the point that my entry of a new one overflowes the source-citation table and causes the program to CRASH. This, along with the elimination of Find and Replace edit and other important features, makes me advise anyone to be wary of switching to 2008 from Ver 16!

[Beverly]

installed 2008 , played with it for two weeks , became very frustrated at the confusion , of the new programme , I have used all versions since 1997 and always enjoyed the inprovements every year. For peace of mind I removed the 2008 version , no Thanks to this one , Thank God for 2006

[Glen F. Pritchett]

I personally gave up on FTM and their upgraded version sham promotions about 7 years ago before they were acquired by Ancestry. Initially upgrading versions provided value, but one of the next upgrades I purchased placed transferred data in fields other than where they resided previously. Years worth of data entry was so messed up that any genealogical report (and hence ancestor history) was absolutely worthless.

After much considered research I moved over to Legacy. I'm happy to report that I've been using it for years now with virtually no problems. The most current version of Legacy is 6.0.

http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Download.asp

Hopefully potential software buyers will take notice of all the posts herein, very few of which recommend FTM in it's latest configuration.

[Bill A. Belt]

In the past I have purchased dozens of CDs from Family Tree. I have run their software without any problem. Then here comes Family Tree 2008. The most unfriendly software I have ever used. In trying to transfer several parts of my data base from FT 16 to Family Tree 2008, I learned after manay hours , "it will not transfaer that data". I unloaded FT 2008 and have gone back to FT 16. E-mails to the developer have produced no replys to date. Don't, and I repeat, don't buy FT 2008 unless you want to spend lot of wasted time. FT says they will have patches and updates. Suggest you wait to see what happens.FT 2008 was obsiously deveopled without the user in mind.

[Don Cordell]

This program was not designed by a genealogist that's for sure. Call it Ancestry Tree Maker, but not Family Tree Maker. What they really want to do is to show you links on Ancestry.com to your file, then get you to subscribe for $300/yr to Ancestry in order to see the links to your file which they have downloaded illegally, so others can see links to your data, and subscribe. Ancestry.com was originally owned by the LDS, but then became private, and now this blunder. I called the many genealogy clubs in So. Calif to warn their members do not buy this disaster. I have kept the program just so I can show others what a disaster this is.
It took over 2 hours to import my 83,000 name file of 22 megabytes, and when finally loaded the Tree Maker file now was 113 Megabytes. Unbelievable overhead for some reason, maybe it was all the extra advantages, NO NO NO, it couldn't be that, there are no extra advantages, although they did add the index feature of PAF 5.0 which shows data on each individual in the index, so you could see which Elizabeth of 200 Elizabeths was the one you were looking for. That was the only advantage that I'd wanted all along, otherwise it's a good coffee mug holder. The additional discs are also a sham, not worth bothering with, just more trash.
My discussions with Ancestry have been useless as you are not allowed to speak with programmers, the programmers are probably in India! Ancestry has been a good online database, a bit too expensive for me, but some us it, and they advertise a lot of new stuff they are putting online, but this blunder may sink them. I hope they didn't produce too many CD's, such a shame to waste all those disks. Now all trash. I didn't even try to load my brothers file of over 133,000 names, I don't have that long to waste. How could Ancestry be that dumb?

[Betty]

I have had all the versions of Family Tree since v.2 or v.3 ...but I'm really frustrated with this new FTM 2008. It came up yesterday telling me to update the program, so I did ...it bombed during the update and now I can't get onto FTM 2008 at all. Does anyone know a phone number so I can call them? Help please! We are across the country on a genealogy trip and without our family files, we're sunk!!!

[Betty]

I found the number - its 1-800-ancestry ...1 800 262-3787

[Grove Sandrock]

After several hours on the phone with Ancestry regarding all the problems with FTM 2008 and its patches I got no satisfaction. They refuse to refund my purchase price. I have gone back to a previous version of FTM and am looking for a new program. I will not purchase any Ancestry products in the future.

Further, I think all genealogical societies and organizations should bar Ancestry from participation in conferernces and sales in exhibit areas until this mess is cleaned up or refunds processed. In that Ancestry may soon be taken over by a private equity organization, I do not expect any positive resolution for genealogists who have bought this faulty product.

[Don]

I am still using FTM ver 9. I was thinking of upgrading to the latest greatest version but judging from all the comments here, I'll just be happy with what I have. I recently moved my data files to a new PC that has the new Windows Vista Home Premium operating system and FTM Ver. 9 seems to be working on it okay.

[Dan Hunter]

Critical Data Losses Associated with Family Tree Maker 2008

Be afraid – be very afraid -- of losing valuable data when transferring/upgrading to Family Tree Maker 2008 (FTM2008) software. I highly recommend NOT upgrading to this product at this time, and instead staying with earlier versions of FTM or using other vendors’ software.

I am an experienced genealogist with an extensive IT software development and testing background. When I recently attempted to upgrade to the recently released FTM2008 from Family Tree Maker 16 (FTM16), I experienced an large number of problems, the most dangerous and severe being LOSS OF DATA ! !

Below are my file statistics before and after upgrading to FTM2008:

File Size: (BEFORE UPGRADE) 18.598 Mb (AFTER) 13,855 Mb
Total individuals in data base: (BEFORE UPGRADE) 12,300 (AFTER) 12,300
Total marriages: (BEFORE UPGRADE) 3,769 (AFTER) 3,769
Total Text Records: (BEFORE UPGRADE) 194,103 (AFTER) 152,213

More than 20 percent of my text records were lost and failed to transfer. The lost records appear to be source data documenting events (i.e., birth, death, etc.) and individual notes for individuals. Also, some sources that did transfer appear to have been scrambled and no longer relate to the correct events.

I initiated numerous communications with the technical staff who purportedly supports FTM2008, and, in turn, received comments such as “I do apologize that you are frustrated with the software” …and… “I am not sure why this information has not transferred to the new software”. Other than these comments, there appeared to be no concern for the problem, nor any expressed intent to fix it.

Because of the seriousness of data loss, I subsequently sent a message to David Humphreys (Project Manager responsible for FTM2008) and two letters to Tim Sullivan, President and CEO of The Generations Network (TGN) – the company that owns Ancestry.com and produces Family Tree Maker software. THERE WAS NEVER A RESPONSE FROM ANY OF TGN’s MANAGEMENT.

It was recently announced that in mid-October 2007, Spectrum Equity Investors acquired TGN (which included FTM2008, Ancestry.com, and MyFamily.com) for $300 million. So, I sent correspondence to the two Co-Founders and Managing Directors of Spectrum Equity Investors advising them of this critical problem with FTM2008 – and like the correspondence sent to the senior management of TGN – NOTHING HAPPENED ! !

I highly encourage all using, or who might be considering using, FTM2008 to proceed with utmost caution. Besides the FTM2008 software being less than adequate in it’s present form (generally “buggy”, reduced reports, more cumbersome, difficult to install, etc.), as genealogists, we can not afford to lose the results of our research. I would suggest everyone retain their previous versions of their data files and software and refrain from using FTM2008 until the company announces a new release and CAN PROVE that their buggy software is fixed and reliable.

FTM2008 definitely has a long way to go before regaining and earning back the reputation that it enjoyed with the earlier versions !

Users may confirm the many problems being encountered with FTM2008 by doing a Google search using “Family Tree Maker 2008” and “problems”. Literally 100’s of sites are listed ! !

Dan Hunter

[Don Cordell]

There was once a great little computer company called IBM, who decided Version 2 would be called the PS2. To insure maximum income they decided that no other company cards or hard drives or anything non IBM would work with their computers. How many IBM computers do you now see in the work place. ZERO and that's what is going to happen to Ancestry.com. If they don't make amends soon, no one will consider your software EVER again.
It's OK to make a mistake as 2008 is. To not see the error of their ways is more than supid, it's suicide.
I have bought all WFT CD's from #1 to #179, plus at least 40 other CD's. The problems in all versions after Ver. 9 have limited me to using Ver. 9 even though I've purchased all version since Ver. 3 and I have 2005, and 2006, but since the company refused to acknowledge problems with the later versions, I'll give up until I hear rave reviews about some later version.
Microsoft is also shooting it's self in the foot, with Vista. Designed to ensure that you will have to buy all new software, since none of the previous versions of Office will run on Vista. Microsoft wants to make sure you have to buy all new support software. Old drivers for printers do not want to work, so you will by new printers. Suicide.

Ancestry.com is using the tie in to 2008 to entice users to subscribe to their database files of which they have received for free from users. Such as the way they got the data for all the FTM CD's. On one of those CD's the same file each additonal file increased by 100 names on one CD, I accused FTM (Broderbund) of stuffing the CD's to sell less and less value. But the buyout by Ancestry.com is a real loss to the genealogy community of researchers.
Only two of the (179) WFT CDs do not contain my ancestor Tristram Coffin of Nantucket. Every CD has the Quaker family line Mendenhall's, Macy's, Gardner's, and many many Quaker families. So I got a lot of family data from those CD's, only now I can not call to get the Name and address of the submitter of any file on the CD's. Only the Real Family Tree Maker offered that service. Now on Ancestry.com when I see Download Gedcom, and a ZIP file is listed as V39T414 I know thats on CD 39. So every file ever sent to FTM is now online for only $300 a year.
I commend Ancestry.com for some of the other items on their data base for users, but the nerve that they obtain your file when you want to do a Genealogy Report is fraud, and stealing our information to entice other users to subscribe to their service. Sorry doesn't make it. Stupid is as stupid does, don't be stupid and buy anything more from this company until they wake up and deliver not only a product, but an improved product, taylorable by the user to get the Print out for sharing with family members, with the format that actually matches the New England Historical and Genealogical Society format. Too much double spacing, and when you edit that problem in Word, the Index no longer is correct, for an example, a 400 page printout properly edited is now only 275 pages, that's alot of extra spacing. I want the ability to insert pictures where I want them, in the size I want them. Charts, and other inserts should be easily follow with a correct Index. So Ancestry.com if you are monitoring this feedback, let us know when you are ready to serve your customers, because without us, you do not exist.

Stab us in the back, and you put your own company in the trash. An also ran. There is too much competition out there in the market. I shouldn't have to export my gedcom to PAF to get the printout that I want. Don't kill the golden goose. YOU bought a good product, but apparently have no idea what your programmers are doing. It's like you think the bicycle is great, because you have never seen an automobile. Version 2008 is like a pair of steel wheeled clampon street skates. I'd hate to see how you would design a speadsheet.

[Dilbert]

Got this in email today..."We’ve Made Family Tree Maker 2008™ even better." The pure genius saga continues...

[BillGodwin]

Another problem with FTM 2008. Works fine until I install the latest update (SP2 ver 2) then it crashes every time on startup. FTM support said to try a full reinstall and update from a clean boot, which worked until I rebooted with all my drivers, then it promptly went back to crashing on startup every time. Looks like SP2 ver 2 STILL isn't debugged. And since when did people have to install automatic updates by doing a clean reboot???? If they can't do better than this soon I'm going to abandon FTM and go to some other genealogical software. Any suggestions?

[Jim]

I use FTM v2005. Is there any advantage to upgrade to v16?

[Larry O]

Have been a loyal FTM user for many years and an Ancestry.com subscriber for the last several. But I will skip FTM 2008 based on the feedback here and will consider other online services for when my current Ancestry.com subription runs out in a few months.

[Larry C]

Have used FTM since the beginning and am going to stay with V16 for now. Bought 2008 before I read anything on it simply because I had came to trust FTM products. Had no trouble installing 2008 and my file converted (took a long time) without any errors (no errors shown). 2008 says I have 33,272 people while V16 shows 33,273; 2008 shows 11,589 marriages while V16 shows 11,590; 2008 shows 15 generations while V16 shows 18; 2008 shows 4,150 surnames while V16 shows 4,149. Working in 2008 reminds me how really slow my computer was 17 years ago using the then great 80386 Compaq.

[RobBowerman]

I've got FTM v6.0 that I've been using since 1999 without problem. If I wanted to upgrade to a newer version, which one would this forum recommend without hesitation and why? I've read every post so far and I don't see a clear answer yet.... Thanks in advance!

[Tar]

You might consider the top ten ratings for genealogy
software. Note PAF has been discontinued.
FTM must be running on past reputation ?

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

[Athena]

If you want a new version of FTM, the best deal is to get a Deluxe or Collectors edition of FTM16. The program is stable and those versionswith a one-year subscription to Ancestry.com. You can get one or the other for $30 delivered if you look hard enough.

You might also want to download the trial versions of other offerings -- Legacy, Roots Magic, or The Master Genealogist -- and give them a try before buying the deluxe edition of one of those.

[halemweg]

I bought Familytreemaker 2008 because I'm a sucker for new programs. And I do like the new interface, maybe because it's more in line with the other genealogy programs that I know, but I found one bug already that really ticked me off. The relationship calculator doesn't seem to work right. In the calculator it shows a relationship as being the 5th cousin and in the kinship reports it marks the same people as being 3rd cousin once removed (which really is the closest relationship). In Legacy 6 it shows me several relationships with the closest as the default. I really believe they put this version 2008 out as a Beta-version and have the customers pay for allowing to test the program. Not a good thing.

[Robin]

I recently got FTM 2008 as a christmas gift. I hate it!! I have used FTM since 1999 and this one is so user unfriendly. Also, if you have a sibling of someone but no parents for them they won't be connected on FTM 2008. Why is that? It installed fine on my PC but on my laptop it has been nothing but a problem. It always crashes on first start up and takes forever to open up on the second try.

[Marilyn]

I am sure happy to see I am not the only one with problems with FTM 2008. I finally got disgusted with all the frustrations and un-installed it. FTM's reputation is really in the outhouse. I can't believe these problems have not been fixed yet. What have they been doing?

[Debi]

I had been putting off purchasing a genealogy program and when FTM 2008 became available I thought Great! I purchased thinking it was the newest and latest version of a program used by a vast number of people to record their work. I diligently entered all of the information that I had collected all these years in notebooks and newspaper clippings....only to find out that I can't convert down to FTM v16 and share my info with my family. This is so frustrating!!! Now I wish I had purchased the version that all my relatives have..

[Gayl]

Today I just got my new laptop - with Vista. Seems like most everyone is staying with FTM 16. But does FTM 16, with the patch for 16, really work with Vista? Or will I regret trying it? Would prefer not having to get a different genealogy program... (No way will I try 2008!) Recommendations are very welcome! Thanks!

[Scott]

I've had no problems with FTM V16 on Vista once I applied the patch (in Admin mode). I too use a laptop - very straight forward.

As to FTM 2008. I was one of the lucky ones that ran into huge problems during the Beta period. I couldn't get my FTM data to import into FTM 2008. It would always stop at my image files. Lucky for me I smelled this dog with flees early on and decided to give their 'Beta' more time to flesh out before retrying the data conversion. However, they went straight to production to make the holiday season with a half-baked application.

It's sad when you consider being lucky because you can't use a product.

[Colleen Roberts]

Wish I would have found this information BEFORE I bought the ftm 2008!
I have a ton of people in my tree and of course they won't show me everyone at once. I really hate this program not user friendly at all.
Can anyone suggest a easy to use, easy to upload, family charts?
Please email me and let me know I feel so STUPID!
thanks Colleen
malane06@sbcglobal.net

[Don Parsons]

I attempted to use the "Contact Us" avenue for Family Tree Maker to send the following note but ran into a register loop apparently designed to forestall any such communication.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RE: FTM 2009

Gentlepersons:

I have used FTM each year since I stopped using Personal Ancestry File when FTM 7 was issued.

Last when your internet sales offer of FTM 2008 arrived pointing out new features at the expense of those tried and true features which I had been using I declined to accept the offer. I have used, continue to use and recommend to several people I've met over the internet last year and this - that they buy FTM 16.

That a google search today shows new purchasers of FTM 2008 STILL HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS with FTM 2008 is inexcusable!!

Isn't it about time that you do the right thing? You're almost to the point of losing people like me who have used, recommended and given gifts of your product for many, many years.

Frankly, I am now looking into alternatives for FTM because I no longer have confidence that you are trying to assist genealogical amateurs like me ... and 95% of those with whom I correspond via the internet.

I listed FTM 2009 as the subject because I still have some hope ...

Don Parsons
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

[Jacqueline]

I have had nothing but problems since I purchased FTM 2008. When I got home, the installation CD was not in the box. Once I got my replacement software and installed the program, the program started crashing. I've uninstalled and reinstalled, downloaded the patch, uninstalled and reinstalled again, following the instructions that the support people supplied. No luck. I've just emailed them again to let them know, their instructions still did not fix the problem.
I've recently purchased Legacy. I hope it arrives soon and without all the bugs FTM 2008 has.

[Sandra Duncan]

I have windows vista on my computer and I have tried everything to be able to download the enhanced image viewer. I am not real good with the new vista computer. I hope you can help me!!!!
Thank you,
Sandy

[ILFamilyTree2]

I started my Family Tree in 1982 but had to put it away until recently. There is a whole new world out there with the age of computers . I purchased FTM2008 to start in again and It locked up my computer 2 times.I'm returning it and would like advice on which program would be the best to go with. I have three computers running ME - XP and Vista. I ran through XP and Vista and server crashed both computers . Any suggestions would be very helpful......

[Sonny]

If you think the 2008 version was terrible wait until you try to install the patch!! Have called tech support 4 times and got a different answer each time and still no results. ROOTS MAGIC HERE I COME

[Virginia A.]

I have been a very happy FTM 2005 user. The only reason I decided to upgrade was because I eceived a GEDCOM that I couldn't open due to the fact the sender had FTM 2006. This was like getting a completely new program. FTM 2005 is still accessible and I had to import my files to the new program............so far I have only done 3 out of about 15. I am not sure that I am going to keep this thing.
I have wasted most of my day trying to make 2008 "user friendly". I have decided it is awful, The family page is busy, confusing and impossible to easily to use.
The index, always in view but on the wron g side of the screen, is useless as the dates are not visable.
All I wanted was to upgrade the program I already was using, not a restart into learning something all over.

[CG]

Installing enhanced viewer for Family Tree Maker 2009 in Vista

I was able to install the enhanced viewer for FTM 2009 on windows vista. It is a bit longer than just clicking the download button. When we do this it never gives you run unless you have already added this- https://ancestry.com to your trusted sites.

To do this you have to click on the tools button in internet explorer. Then go all the way to the bottom to click internet options. Now go to the security tab. In security click on trusted sites now you should see a little box called sites click this. If you are on the page http://ancesty.com this will show up in the line to add but you have to add a -s- to the end of http for it to work. So, if your not on the page just enter https://ancestry.com and click on add. Now close this and exit.

Now go to the page and it will let you run the program and except the active x..

I hope this will save everyone a lot of time.

[Frank]

I recently download the 2008 version. I have used different ones over the past 12 years or so (version 4, 6,8 2004 & 2006). I am most unhappy with the inabilities to manipulate reports in the "Publish" section. It is significantly limited and not worth it.