Genealogical Software, Links and More from 29 March Show

Well, that was a great show with Dick Eastman, and we thank him for his insights and comments about genealogy software and other issues. We've already posted the links for the software we talked about, but we also talked about a great site that has reviews of 14 different software packages, and has ranked the software on numerous criteria. You'll want to spend some time at Top Genealogy Software to see who has the features you want.

There's also a couple of comparison charts online that show you the different features of different software. They're a bit dated, but are still a useful place to look. Check out Richard Wilson's chart, as well as Bill Mumford Report Card. Of course, we don't know who's selling the best, but with the help of Amazon.com, we can tell which software seems the most popular on their site. So, based on their sales ranking and figures (which are open to interpretation in many ways), here's the 15 top selling genealogy software programs there:

1. Family Tree Maker
2. RootsMagic
3. Family Tree Legends
4. Legacy Family Tree
5. Heritage Family Tree
6. GSP Family Tree
7. GenoPro Family Tree
8. The Master Genealogist
9. Generation Family Tree
10. Ultimate Family Tree
11. Family Tree Quick & Easy
12. Family Tree for Dummies
13. Easy Family Tree
14. Softkeys Family Tree
15. Multilingual Family Tree

In our news segment, we mentioned that vital records for Nova Scotia are now on line. The free data site of the week was the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System. Well, all of that should keep you busy till the next show. Be listening then!

Genealogical Software on 29 March Show

With a genealogy techno-authority like Dick Eastman on the show, what better topic to explore than genealogy software. Many listeners have questions about the "best" software to use for genealogy, so we'll try to come up with some answers. In our "Interactive Website" section, we'll explore a couple of the major software sites, where you can learn more about the features, and even download free or test versions of the most popular software. Be ready to follow along as we explore Family Tree Maker, the number one software, as well as other full-featured software such as Legacy and PAF. Other important software to review includes RootsMagic and Ancestral Quest. Many professionals like The Master Genealogist for it's wide range of features.

Of course, that's not all. You'll want to learn about the free site of the week, and a software tip that could just save your computer when things go wrong. Plus, we'll reveal the sales ranking for the software we discuss, something you'll not find anywhere else! Our "Tip from the Pros" should help you get more out of those documents you've been gathering about your ancestors. So, tune in and enjoy!

Dick Eastman to Guest on 29 March Show

Dick Eastman, what more do we need to say? The editor of the very popular "Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter" will be our guest on the next show. We'll discuss some of the leading edge technology being used in genealogy. He will also help us explore the wide open world of genealogical software. Come listen to his tips as to what to consider when you're thinking about trying new software.

Dick is also just back from a major genealogical computer conference, and I'm sure he'll have some new insights to share with you. Come on, you've been reading him for years; now's your chance to hear his advice, straight from his lips. Tune in and join us!