A newsletter reader asked about available free genealogy software. I have mentioned each of the programs individually several times, but it has been a long time since I have published a complete list so I decided to publish an update.
None of these free programs are limited trial offers. In fact, just the opposite. Several of the free genealogy programs are very powerful and none of them are "limited trial offers." However, upgrading to the "Plus Editions" of a couple of programs will add even more features.
Legacy Family Tree Standard Edition has many, many more features not found in any other free genealogy software: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/. Legacy Family Tree Standard Edition is not limited in any way. Many users of Legacy Family Tree Standard Edition find that it works so well that they never upgrade.
RootsMagic Essentials at http://www.rootsmagic.com/essentials/ is a free genealogy program that contains many of the core features from RootsMagic Family Tree software.
Ancestral Quest Basics at http://www.ancquest.com/ is free genealogy software that is a lot like Personal Ancestral File only with many more features. It has all the essential features for working with your family tree.
Family Tree Builder by MyHeritage at http://www.myheritage.com/page/free-genealogy-software supports 18 languages and is absolutely free. It features Smart Matching (a fun way to discover new relatives) and provides excellent support for photos, including face recognition technology.
I will also mention a very popular program that is very old-fashioned and hasn't been updated in years. Personal Ancestral File doesn't have ll the features of the more modern programs and doesn't handle graphics or multi-media scrapbooks. However, hundreds of thousands of users do use the program and most seem satisfied with it, despite the limitations. Personal Ancestral File is available at http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp?Page=home/welcome/simplePAFRegistration.asp.
Macintosh users also can use all of the above programs if using Parallels, Fusion, or VirtualBox. In addition, Macintosh users will want to look at the free, native Mac program, Personal Ancestry Writer II, at http://www.lanopalera.net/Genealogy/AboutPAWriter.html. It is a very popular, free Macintosh genealogy program that performs the basics.
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