[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] genealogy software

[Sue Eipert]

Gary,

I realize that Legacy is a very good program, and I haven't had enough 
experience with it to do a direct comparison of the two.

I really just want to make the point that Rootsmagic is also a very good 
full-featured program - and will be even better with version 4 (soon). 
Some people have found it  easier to use than Legacy.

To answer your specific questions:

1. Rootsmagic has an extensive Merge function. I haven't used it enough 
to know the details.

2. Rootsmagic has a master list for Places. Each place can have a name, 
a note field, latitude and longitude, and attached links to multimedia. 
The new edition coming up has enhanced abilities for handling names and 
alternate names.

3. Yes.  Rootsmagic has a "Problem List". You can search for several 
things, including:  Proper order of events, Birth before parent's 
marriage, Birth before parent's  birth, etc. Also - Age at death, 
marriage, etc, between your choice of ages

4. Names are entered in separate fields for Surname, Given Name, Prefix, 
Suffix, Nickname.

5. Facts and events have separate fields for Date, Place, Description. 
Each fact or event also has attached sources, notes and multimedia.

Sue

Gary Warner wrote:
> Sue,
> 
> I am not familiar with that program, so it is not my intent to belittle 
> it in any way.   May I ask if it will do the following:
> 
> 1.   Will it FIND and truly MERGE data that is inconsistent between two 
> records?   Most software will first not find records to merge unless 
> they are truly duplicates in all respects.   And mot programs that do 
> find such inconsistencies will then not merge the data, but carry the 
> inconsistent data as an "alternate" piece of information, like an 
> alternate birth date, etc..  This ability to merge is paramount if you 
> are ever to import data from us or anyone else without winding up with 
> many duplicate records?
> 
> 2.   Does it use master lists for locations and surnames?   This is 
> again an important feature if you are going to eliminate duplicate records.
> 
> 3.  Does it have the capability to check your data for potential 
> conflicts- like people with multiple sets of parents, births after the 
> death of the mother, born after death, married before 13, etc.?
> 
> 4.  Does it require names to be entered in one field, or does it have 
> separate fields for prefixes, given names, surnames, and suffixes?    A 
> single field for name entry can work, but it most often does not, and is 
> one of the main sources of problems with merging of data, since the name 
> can be exported incorrectly, and then a person might have a surname of 
> Jr. or Elisabeth.
> 
> 5.  Does your program allow the entry of events in a manner that it does 
> not combine event places and event activities into a single field?   
> This is again another serious problem, since the export of data will 
> move your event data into areas not intended.
> 
> 6.  Will your program allow you to save a double date?   This feature is 
> important when two sources of data have conflicting dates, and the 
> ability to note such dates will usually cause you to pursue resolution 
> of the conflict.   There are also valid reasons for a double date, as is 
> the case if you enter in both the old Julian calendar date and the 
> modern Gregorian calendar date in the same record.
> 
> Gary Warner
> SGGEE
> 
> 
> Sue Eipert wrote:
>> On the topic of genealogy software, I would like to bring up 
>> Rootsmagic. It is a full-featured comprehensive software, but is easy 
>> to use. It has a very online active user group with close monitoring 
>> by its developer.  http://www.rootsmagic.com/overview.htm
>>
>> I am eagerly waiting for version 4.0 which is due out before the end 
>> of the year. Many exciting features will be added - and are being 
>> gradually described in the developer's blog. The developer has stated 
>> that anyone buying version 3.0 now will be able to get v. 4.0 for free 
>> when it comes out.
>>
>> I have no connection with Rootsmagic other than being a satisfied user 
>> for many years.
>>
>> Sue Eipert
>>
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> 
>