The Best Genealogy Software: Roots
Magic Software
Recently I went to several genealogy conferences. While there I asked people what they thought is the best
genealogy software to use? I heard over and over again that Roots Magic software is the best.
Why choose Roots Magic Software?
I purchased Roots Magic software during the conference and have been using it ever since. Here are some of the
big reasons I chose Roots Magic.
- Citations - This is something I have struggled with for a very long time. I didn't
know how to cite sources on the PAF program which I have been using. Roots Magic uses Elizabeth Shown Mills'
book Evidence Explained as a guide on how to cite sources. You type in the information it asks for
and Roots Magic will organize the information into different forms. You will see it in footnote form, short
footnote form and bibliography form. Also when you are choosing a source type you will be given a reference to
Evidence Explained. This is so you can go and read why the software is organizing the information in
this manner.
- Genealogy Proof Standard - The GPS is a standard to show the quality of the source.
Grandma's memory is not as good of a source as a certified birth certificate. After you have entered a source
you can click on a button named quality. There you can choose the source type, information and evidence!
- Facts - For each person you enter into the software you can add facts. A Fact would
be anything about the person, such as birth, baptism, death, residence, occupation and so on. With each fact
you can add a media source, which are pictures, pdfs, videos, etc. Also with each fact you can add notes and
sources too. You will be able to see all the facts in one place. These facts can act as a chronology for the
person.
- To Do List - When you are researching a person you need to have a to do list of what
you need to do next. This may include ordering a birth certificate or checking the 1900 census for birth place.
The to do list within the Roots Magic software is very specific. You can indicate what date you started a
search, the last time you worked on it, the priority, etc. You can also print your to do list. This can be
taken with you somewhere or placed in a physical file you have for the person.
- Endless Options - I say this because you can look at a person in so many different
ways. When you open Roots Magic you can look at the selected person through a pedigree, in a family, with their
dependants, with all the people in the file and do a web search for that person. This is all on the first
screen. You can also create groups. For instance if you are going to a family cemetery and you want to get
pictures of all the headstones of your relatives then create a group of people buried in the cemetery or that
town.
There are so many more things Roots Magic can do for you. One last thing I will mention is
that I purchased a Roots Magic To Go flash drive. It is a 2G flash drive that you will load Roots Magic software on
to. Then you can add your personal family file on the drive. When you go to the Family History Center or other
repository you will have it with you to enter anything you have found. Now when you get home you will plug your
flash drive in and you can synchronize what you entered while you were gone with what is on your computer! This
makes life so much easier!!
For the Newbie Genealogist
This is the best genealogy software for the professional and the newest to searching their family tree! The
reason: it is simple. It is basic. There is a tutorial that you can watch to explain how to use the software at the
very beginning! This is software to grow with. It meets the needs of the beginner and the advanced genealogist! You
will be able to enter every little scrap of genealogy or family information you have and it will be safe. You can
also share the information very easily with family members!
Roots Magic is so user friendly and kept up-to-date. This is definitely the best genealogy software out there!
Go get your Roots Magic software today!
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