NOTE: I usually publish an update to this article about once a year. Indeed, several new Macintosh genealogy programs have appeared in the past twelve months.Macintosh users can feel smug about using the best operating system available today. The OS X operating system is easy to use, very reliable, and doesn't "get in the way" with all sorts of pop-up messages. It is resistant to viruses and other forms of “malware.” In short, "it just works."
However, one major disadvantage of the Mac is that it doesn't have as many genealogy programs to choose from as does the Windows operating system. Or does it? I would contend that Macintosh has MORE genealogy programs available than does Windows.
The following is a list of all the more popular genealogy programs that I know of that are actively being marketed for Macintosh users in North America. For this list, I will focus only on the products that are current and still have developers writing updates, bug fixes, and new releases. All programs listed here support GEDCOM import and export.
The following list is presented in alphabetical order:
Family Tree Maker Mac 2010
Family Tree Maker for Macintosh was available several years ago but was dropped by the company that then produced the software. Now a change has occurred. Ancestry.com recently announced that the company will bring Family Tree Maker for Mac back to the Mac world, and that they would try to match the Windows version of Family Tree Maker 2010. The expectation is that the newly rewritten product will be available before the end of 2010 at “major retailers” (Best Buy, Office Max, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.).
Pricing has not yet been announced.
GEDitCOM II
GEDitCOM II for Macintosh OS X provides ease-of-use editing of genealogy files, customization of the user experience, and power features allowing access to your genealogical data. GEDitCOM II provides a multi-window "browser" interface, a powerful index window, drag & drop features, a switchable user interface per user preference, powerful searching tools, full multimedia support, lots of charts and reports, and more. The program requires MacOS 10.4 (Tiger) or newer. GEDitCOM II sells for $64.99 and is available from http://www.geditcom.com.
Genealogy Pro
Genealogy Pro 2.2 by Genealogy Pro Software Services is a bare-bones genealogy program for Macintosh users on a budget. It displays information with rows for individuals and columns for information about them. In other words, it looks like a spreadsheet. Users can attach photos to individuals in the database, but there is no capability to add video, audio, or text files.
Genealogy Pro does not display pedigree charts and does not easily show relationships. It has very limited reports. In short, the list of things missing in Genealogy Pro is longer than the list of features.
Genealogy Pro is capable of outputting to GEDCOM, web and print formats. It sells for $20 US. More information may be found at http://www.genealogypro.net/Home/
GenScribe
GenScribe is a family history research tracking and record keeping program, designed to help you plan and manage your genealogy research. However, it is specifically not a lineage-linked database and does not fully compete with the other programs listed here. GenScribe is designed to support the process of evaluating research by giving you easy access to the evidence you have gathered, as well as to help you plan where and what to look for next. Here are some of the things you can do with GenScribe:GenScribe costs $12 US. A free trial copy is available as well. More information may be found at http://users.rcn.com/psherman/genscribe.html.
- Create research "to do" lists for any given venue
- Record the actual research data that you find (GenScribe includes standard text entry fields as well as templates for the 1790-1880 and 1900-1920 U.S. censuses)
- Manage genealogy projects, including linked subprojects
- Review research that you've done in any given source, or on any given project
- Review research that you may wish to incorporate into a lineage-linked database
- Keep track of your genealogy correspondence, including dates of correspondence and money that you've paid for research or to cover costs
- Keep track of page-by-page searches for specific references in unindexed materials
- Assign file numbers to specific research items and print cover sheets that can help you quickly locate hard copies
GRAMPS
GRAMPS is best known as a Linux genealogy program, but it also has been ported to Windows and Macintosh operating systems. This free program is one of the few open source genealogy programs available today. GRAMPS gives you the ability to record the many details of an individual’s life as well as the complex relationships between various people, places, and events. All of your research is kept organized, searchable, and as precise as you need it to be. It also has a rather nice multimedia capability that will store all photos, videos, and other media referenced in your records, featuring thumbnail preview, media type, and more.
GRAMPS is a complex product that is developed entirely by volunteer effort. It assumes that the user is technically savvy and is also familiar with both Macintosh and Linux operation. The latest version of Gramps for Macintosh is based on x11 and Python 2.6. If you are not familiar with these products, GRAMPS may not be the best program for you.
For more information about the free GRAMPS genealogy program for Linux, Windows, and Macintosh, look at http://gramps-project.org/. Instructions for the Macintosh version of GRAMPS may be found at http://gramps-project.org/wiki/index.php?title=Mac_OS_X_MacPorts.
Heredis
Heredis is a Macintosh genealogy program produced in France that is very popular in Europe and has numerous fans elsewhere as well. Heredis is designed for ease of operation and yet retains the power of most all of today's state-of-the art genealogy programs. The program has been developed over 12 years and is fully integrated into the OS X System, with all its proven and powerful genealogy tools.
Heredis features immediate display and access to all functions on one screen only, comprehensive data management, powerful search tools and database merging, 3D displays of your family data, support of all types of media files, excellent source citation capabilities, automated creation of a personal genealogy website, and more.
The program sells for $69 with a free demo version also available so that you may take the program for a "trial run" before purchasing. The demo version limits you to entering data for only 50 individuals. However, you may import GEDCOM files without any limit to the number of individuals and run all the reports in the demo version without limitation, even if you have imported thousands of individuals in the GEDCOM file.
More information about Heredis may be found at http://www.myheredis.com.
iFamily for Leopard
iFamily for Leopard is an excellent genealogy program, originally developed by Keith Wilson in Australia. Unfortunately, Keith passed away; but, his heirs are keeping the program alive and are adding new features. Version 2.511 is current, issued some time after Keith Wilson's death.
As Keith wrote on the program's web site, the program is "a family tree program with a difference because Apple users think differently." Unlike most other Macintosh genealogy programs, iFamily for Leopard focuses on individuals, not couples. It also displays the entire extended family of that individual, including all spouses as well as all children, step-children, and adopted children, all displayed on the same screen.
iFamily for Leopard is a graphics-oriented program, unlike the data-entry mode of operation of many other programs. It sells for a very modest $29.95 US. You can read my review of the program at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2006/12/ifamily_for_tig_1.html (It was called "iFamily for Tiger" at that time). Next, look at the program's web site at http://www.ifamilyforleopard.com.
iFamily for iPhone and iPod Touch has been promised but is not yet available.
MacFamilyTree
MacFamilyTree is perhaps the most popular Macintosh genealogy program in Europe and has a growing customer base in North America as well. Developed in Germany, this program is available in German, English, French, Spanish, Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish, Dansk, and Italian. MacFamilyTree includes a 3D Virtual Tree that has to be seen to be appreciated. (Screenshots are available on the company's web site.) Navigating the Virtual Tree is simple: just point, click and drag with your mouse, or use a dedicated "Navigator" to literally fly through your own ancestry. MacFamilyTree also has an excellent database for storing information; you can enter information easily and then retrieve it in any number of ways. The program also includes very good reports. By purchasing a $5 optional program, MacFamilyTree will also export data to an iPhone or iPod Touch, allowing you to carry your database with you at all times.
MacFamilyTree sells for $49 US. You can read my review of MacFamilyTree at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/06/synium-macfamil.html. While that article is rather old now, the basics remain the same. However, Synium Software GmbH has added a number of new features since that article was posted. Further details about MacFamilyTree can be found at http://www.syniumsoftware.com/macfamilytree/.
MyBlood
MyBlood is a new genealogy program for both Windows and Macintosh. Developed by Vertical Horizon, a company in Belgium, MyBlood is a visual program: almost everything is oriented around pictures, graphs, and historical timelines. The program's advertising states, "MyBlood visually represents information to help you discover incorrect information. Therefore there are several ways to look at data. e.g. Ancestors, TimeMaps, Chronology... From each view you can easily navigate to the information and modify it. For example, the Ancestors View - on the left - also shows the Timeline of 5 generations, and highlights the Person the cursor is moving over."
MyBlood also recently introduced a very powerful web publishing capability. It includes a set of templates, making an up-to-date family tree website only a couple of clicks away. For the more advanced users there is also the possibility of creating or importing your own template (using straight forward .css files).
MyBlood also features integration with Google Maps to display the exact location of places stored within the program's database. It also integrates with social network sites. Pictures and documents stored in the MyBlood media section can now be shared by using the Picasa on line service.
A free trial version of MyBlood can be downloaded directly from the program's web site. The full program can be purchased for $59.95 US. You can also purchase both the Windows version and the Macintosh version for $89.95 US. More information may be found at http://www.myblood-line.com/.
ohmiGene
ohmiGene is a complete program for the management of your genealogical data. Produced in France, ohmiGene makes it possible to publish a fan chart, an ancestry notebook, a family tree, one or more individual (or family) sheets, and some diagrams of descent that, you can write to single sheets of paper or even directly in a booklet format. Most of these reports support an unlimited number of associated files (illustrations, etc.), notes (RTF format), texts, sources and 'sakouveux' (witness, epoch ..., or other text not defined by the GEDCOM format). The program handles traditional families as well as adopted children, foster parents, and same sex unions.
ohmiGene sells for $40 US. A trial version, limited to 509 persons in the database, is also available. For more information about ohmiGene, look at http://ohmi.celeonet.fr/ohmiGene/indexEN.html
Osk
Osk is produced by Stuðlar Software, named after Stuðlar, a place near Reydarfjordur, Iceland. The letter “ð” in Icelandic is closer to the English letter “d,” so the producer’s name is pronounced as Studlar by English speakers.
Osk includes full unicode support (for multiple language characters) and uses multiple CPUs (if available). It creates family trees, exports them as pictures, and exports your information as a web site. The program also makes it easy to handle difficult information like same sex couples, adoptions, and other difficult data, such as when the same persons get married more than once. It also supports multimedia files, including sound, pictures, and movies of a given person. It will track illness, deaths, education, and occupations throughout a family tree. Osk is available in English, Icelandic, Russian, German, Portuguese, Swedish, Norwegian, and Italian.
Osk sells for $39.95 US. You can learn more about Osk at http://www.studlar.net/en/software/
Personal Ancestry Writer II (also called PAW2U)
Personal Ancestry Writer II, or PAW2U, is a very popular, FREE genealogy program that does the basics. It lacks many of the more sophisticated features found in today's commercial programs. However, you certainly cannot argue with the price. Free is good! Personal Ancestry Writer II is an excellent selection if you only want the basic record keeping functions and can skip all the multimedia scrapbooks, mapping programs, and other whiz-bang features of commercial programs. MacWorld reviewed this program some time ago at http://www.macworld.com/article/57840/2007/05/paw69.html. You can learn more about Personal Ancestry Writer II (PAWriter II) or download this free program at http://www.lanopalera.net/Genealogy/AboutPAWriter.html
Reunion
Reunion by Leister Productions appears to be the most popular Macintosh genealogy program in North America. It works on both Intel and PowerPC Macs. It will also export data to an iPod or to an iPhone so that you can carry your database with you in a shirt pocket. Reunion focuses on couples, or "family units,” always showing a couple in the center of the screen, with various other screens showing information about children, parents and siblings. The couple might be a man and a woman or it could be two same-sex partners or it could be two gender unknown persons, but it always shows a couple.
Reunion is rather expensive at $90 although some retailers may offer a small discount. You can read more about Reunion at http://www.leisterpro.com/.
Windows Programs Will Also Run on a Macintosh
One thing that many Macintosh owners do not realize is that modern Intel Macs can run most any Windows or Linux genealogy program. To do so, you need a Macintosh with an Intel processor (which means any Macintosh system produced in the past few years), a copy of Windows or Linux, at least one gigabyte of memory (and even more will result in faster operation) and any one of the following:
Parallels Desktop 5, a $79.99 program: http://www.parallels.com/However, if you prefer a pure Macintosh solution, you will want to use one of the products listed earlier. All that is required for those programs is a Macintosh running OS X with the exact version varying from one program to another.
VMware Fusion, a $79.99 program: http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/
VirtualBox, a free program: http://www.virtualbox.org/
Do you have any opinions about the above programs? Or would you like to mention another Macintosh genealogy program not listed above? If so, please post your words in the comments section at the end of this article.
