Discover the Art of Tracing Your Family History with Family Tree Maker!
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Getting Started with Family Tree Maker
- Creating a Tree
- Adding Information to the Tree
- 4.1 Adding a Spouse
- 4.2 Adding a Marriage
- 4.3 Adding a Child
- 4.4 Adding Historical Facts
- Using Family Search and Ancestry
- 5.1 Matching with Family Search
- 5.2 Fixing Mistakes
- Viewing Tree Details
- 6.1 Person View
- 6.2 Timeline View
- Customizing the Tree
- 7.1 Adding Custom Facts
- 7.2 Using Shared Facts
- Printing and Sharing the Tree
- Conclusion
How to Create a Family Tree with Family Tree Maker
Are you interested in tracing your family's roots and creating a detailed family tree? Look no further than Family Tree Maker, a powerful software that helps you gather and enter all your family facts and details. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a family tree using Family Tree Maker 2019 version 24.2 on a Mac computer.
1. Introduction
Before we dive into the details, let's briefly introduce Family Tree Maker and its features. Family Tree Maker is a user-friendly software that allows you to organize and document your family history. It provides a convenient platform to store your family's vital information, relationships, and historical facts.
2. Getting Started with Family Tree Maker
To get started, you need to have Family Tree Maker installed on your computer. Once installed, launch the software and you'll be greeted with the main interface. Familiarize yourself with the different options and buttons available on the screen. On the left-hand side, you'll find the plan button, which is our starting point for creating a tree.
3. Creating a Tree
There are several ways to create a new tree in Family Tree Maker. You can either import an existing tree, download a tree from Ancestry or Family Search, or restore a tree from Tree Vaults. If you don't have any existing trees, this area will be blank. Click on the "Plan" button, and then select "New Tree" from the options.
4. Adding Information to the Tree
Once you've created a new tree, it's time to start adding information. Begin by entering the name of the person you're creating the tree for in the designated field. Provide other details such as the birthdate, place of birth, father's name, and mother's name. If you want to give your tree a specific name other than the default, you can do so in the "New Tree Name" section.
4.1 Adding a Spouse
If the person you're creating the tree for has a spouse, you can easily add their information. Click on the "Add Spouse" button and fill in the necessary details such as the spouse's name. You can also add a marriage place and date if available. This helps to create a comprehensive picture of your family history.
4.2 Adding a Marriage
For each marriage, you can include specific details such as the place and date of the marriage. This information adds depth to your family tree and helps establish connections between different individuals.
4.3 Adding a Child
To include a child in the family tree, simply click on the "Add Child" button at the bottom of the screen. The child's name will be automatically populated based on the parent's last name. Make sure to update the child's sex and other relevant details.
4.4 Adding Historical Facts
Family Tree Maker allows you to add historical facts to your tree, such as baptisms, burials, and census records. Click on the "Custom View" button and select the desired fact from the list. You can also create custom facts by clicking on "New Custom Facts" and entering the relevant information.
5. Using Family Search and Ancestry
Family Tree Maker integrates with popular genealogy websites like Family Search and Ancestry. This feature allows you to search for matches and compare the information in your tree with their extensive databases.
5.1 Matching with Family Search
If there are potential matches found on Family Search, they will be indicated by blue squares. Click on these squares to review the information and determine if it matches your tree. You can easily sync the information between Family Tree Maker and Family Search to ensure accuracy.
5.2 Fixing Mistakes
Made a mistake while entering information? Don't worry, Family Tree Maker has got you covered. Navigate to the "Plan" section and select the changelog option. From there, you can roll back changes and restore your tree to its previous state.
6. Viewing Tree Details
Family Tree Maker offers different ways to view your family tree and its details. The person view provides an overview of an individual's name, sex, birth, death, and marriage details. The timeline view displays historical events alongside your family history, giving you a broader perspective.
6.1 Person View
Clicking on a person's name in the tree will open the person view. Here, you can see a summary of their vital information, including birth, death, and marriage details. Utilize the timeline button to switch to the timeline view and explore historical events related to your family.
6.2 Timeline View
The timeline view provides a chronological display of historical events and family milestones. You can choose to show historical facts, family events, or a combination of both. This feature allows you to visualize your family history in the context of broader historical events.
7. Customizing the Tree
Family Tree Maker gives you the flexibility to customize your family tree further. You can add custom facts and create custom labels for specific events like baptisms or burials. Additionally, you can use shared facts that apply to multiple individuals in your tree, saving you time and effort.
7.1 Adding Custom Facts
In the custom view, you can add additional facts to your tree. This includes events like baptisms, burials, and divorces. Simply select the desired fact from the list and enter the corresponding information.
7.2 Using Shared Facts
Shared facts allow you to apply the same information to multiple individuals in your tree. For example, if multiple family members were born in the same town, you can add a shared birthplace fact. This streamlines the process of entering identical information for each individual.
8. Printing and Sharing the Tree
Once you have completed your family tree, you may want to share it with others or print a physical copy for preservation. Family Tree Maker provides options for printing various reports, including pedigree charts, family group sheets, and individual reports. You can also share your tree online or export it for use in other software.
9. Conclusion
Creating a family tree is a rewarding and enriching experience that connects you to your roots and helps preserve your family's legacy. With Family Tree Maker, the process becomes even more manageable and comprehensive. Follow the steps outlined in this article, and you'll be well on your way to creating a detailed and accurate family tree.
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Highlights
- Family Tree Maker is a powerful software for creating and organizing family trees.
- You can start by entering essential information like names, birthdates, and relationships.
- Family Tree Maker integrates with popular genealogy websites like Family Search and Ancestry.
- The software allows you to customize your family tree with custom facts and shared facts.
- You can view your family tree in different ways, including person view and timeline view.
- Family Tree Maker offers options for printing and sharing your completed tree.
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FAQ
Q: Can I import an existing tree into Family Tree Maker?
A: Yes, you can import an existing tree from various sources, including Ancestry and Family Search.
Q: Is Family Tree Maker available for Windows as well?
A: Yes, Family Tree Maker is available for both Mac and Windows operating systems.
Q: Can I collaborate with other family members on a shared family tree?
A: Family Tree Maker allows for collaboration by syncing your tree with online platforms like Ancestry.
Q: Can I add photos and documents to my family tree?
A: Yes, Family Tree Maker allows you to attach photos, documents, and other media files to individuals in your tree.
Q: How frequently should I update my family tree?
A: It's good practice to update your family tree regularly as you gather new information or discover additional ancestors.
Q: Is the information stored in Family Tree Maker secure?
A: Family Tree Maker includes security measures to protect your data. However, it's still recommended to regularly back up your tree.
Q: Can I export my family tree from Family Tree Maker to other software?
A: Yes, Family Tree Maker supports exporting your tree in formats compatible with other genealogy software.
Q: Is there a mobile app version of Family Tree Maker?
A: As of now, Family Tree Maker is only available as desktop software, but some genealogy apps allow syncing with Family Tree Maker trees.
Q: Can I print large-scale charts of my family tree?
A: Family Tree Maker provides options for printing pedigree charts or family group sheets in various sizes.
Q: How can I share my family tree with other relatives?
A: Family Tree Maker offers several sharing options, including uploading your tree to Ancestry or exporting it for others to import into their own software.
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