Family Tree Maker Explained

Family Tree Maker
Author:Kenneth Lafferty Hess[1]
Developer:Software MacKiev
Released:[2]
Latest Release Version:2019 (Version 24.2)
Operating System:Windows, Mac OS X
Language:English
Genre:Genealogy software
License:Proprietary

Family Tree Maker is genealogy software for Windows and Mac that allows the researcher to keep track of information collected during research and to create reports, charts, and books containing that information.[3] The software was originally developed by Kenneth Hess of Banner Blue Software,[1] which was purchased by Broderbund in 1995.[4] It passed through the hands of The Learning Company, SoftKey, Mattel, and others before coming under its current ownership. A redesigned Family Tree Maker 2008 was released on August 14, 2007.[5] The 2009 version of the program corrected some of the errors and omissions of its predecessor, and introduced a few new features.[6] Family Tree Maker 2010 claimed to further enhance the radical redesign and be more powerful and feature-packed with faster navigation and quicker load times.[7]

A version for the Mac was released in 1997; due to low market demand, for over a decade it was discontinued.[8] A new version of Family Tree Maker for Mac was released on November 4, 2010.[9] Family Tree Maker Version 16 was awarded a Codie award in the "Best Consumer Productivity Solution" category in 2006.[10] On December 8, 2015, Ancestry.com announced that it would discontinue Family Tree Maker. The announcement was met by fierce protest from Family Tree Maker users.[11] On February 2, 2016, Ancestry.com announced that Software MacKiev, the company that had developed the Mac version of the software for more than six years, would acquire the Family Tree Maker brand, and take over the development and publishing of Mac and Windows editions.[12]

The core functionality and user interface of Family Tree Maker 2017 have changed little since 2010. Software MacKiev touted four major improvements: FamilySearch integration, FamilySync, Color Coding, and Photo Darkroom. FamilySearch integration provides potential matches to the FamilySearch.org Family Tree, and their record collections. FamilySync is a replacement for Ancestry.com's TreeSync feature; it provides potential matches to family trees, indexes, and records at Ancestry.com. It was necessitated by Ancestry.com retiring their TreeSync application programming interface (API). While the old API was used exclusively by Ancestry.com, since they also owned Family Tree Maker, the new API is open to other software developers to use. Color Coding allows users to assign up to four different colors to a person and their ancestors. Photo Darkroom can darken faded black and white photos.[13]

FTM version history

Meaning
style="background:salmon;"RedNot supported
style="background:khaki;"YellowStill supported (update to the last patch for that version)
style="background:#a0e75a;"GreenCurrent version
Version Release date Released by Edition/s Notes
style="background:salmon;"1.01989[14] Banner Blue SoftwareDOSSupplied on 3.5 and 5.25 floppy disks. Data file used .FTM as a file extension on DOS. No GEDCOM support.
style="background:salmon;"1.011990Banner Blue SoftwareDOSNo GEDCOM support.
style="background:salmon;"2.0January 1994Banner Blue SoftwareWindows 3.1 / DOSData file used .FTW as a file extension on Windows. Supplied on two 3½ inch floppy disks. Supported GEDCOM import/export.[15]
style="background:salmon;"2.??October 1994Banner Blue SoftwareWindows 3.1 / DOSSecond version (patch?)
style="background:salmon;"3.024 October 1995Brøderbund SoftwareWindows 3.1 and 95 (16-bit) / DOSSupplied on three floppy disks. 16 bit application compatible with Windows 95. DOS version shipped with the DEU (Data Exchange Utility)[16] [17] [18] [19]
style="background:salmon;"3.01February 1996Brøderbund SoftwareWindows 3.1 and 95 (16 bit and 32 bit) / DOSBeginning with this version every copy of Family Tree Maker for Windows came with both a Windows 95 (32-bit) and Windows 3.1x (16-bit) version.[20] [21]
style="background:salmon;"3.02October 1995Brøderbund SoftwareWindows 32 bit[22]
style="background:salmon;"3.02 MacJanuary 1997Brøderbund SoftwareMacintosh (PowerPC processor only)Marketed as Family Tree Maker Deluxe Edition II for Macintosh.[23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29]
style="background:salmon;"3.4November 1996[30] [31] Brøderbund SoftwareWindows 3.1 and 95 (16-bit and 32-bit) / DOS
style="background:salmon;"4.0September 1996Brøderbund SoftwareWindows 3.1 and 95 (16-bit and 32-bit) / DOSFirst release on a CD-ROM.[32]
style="background:salmon;"4.0a?Brøderbund SoftwareWindows[33]
style="background:salmon;"4.0b?Brøderbund SoftwareWindows[34]
style="background:salmon;"4.4?Brøderbund SoftwareWindows[35] [36]
style="background:salmon;"4.4 File Fixer Patch?Brøderbund SoftwareWindows
style="background:salmon;"5.0(before) August 1998The Learning CompanyWindows[37]
style="background:salmon;"5.0a (Patch)?The Learning CompanyWindows[38] [39]
style="background:salmon;"5.0b?The Learning CompanyWindows
style="background:salmon;"6.0after May 1999The Learning Company (Mattel Incorporated)Windows[40] [41]
style="background:salmon;"6.0a (Index Optimization Update)?The Learning Company (Mattel Incorporated)Windows
style="background:salmon;"7.0October 1999The Learning Company (Mattel Incorporated)Windows[42]
style="background:salmon;"7.5April 2000Genealogy.comWindows[43]
style="background:salmon;"8.0October 2000Genealogy.comWindows[44] [45]
style="background:salmon;"9.0October 2001Genealogy.comWindows[46] [47]
style="background:salmon;"9.0 (patch after release)October 30, 2001Genealogy.comWindows[48]
style="background:salmon;"10.0September 2002Genealogy.comWindows[49] [50]
style="background:salmon;"11.0September 2003MyFamily.comWindows[51] [52]
style="background:salmon;"2005August 2004MyFamily.comWindows[53] [54]
style="background:salmon;"200612 September 2005MyFamily.comWindows[55] [56]
style="background:salmon;"2006 Patch?MyFamily.comWindows[57]
style="background:salmon;"16September 2006MyFamily.comWindows[58]
style="background:salmon;"200814 August 2007Ancestry.comWindowsReturned to using the .FTM extension for windows datafiles.[59] [60]
style="background:salmon;"2008 Service Pack 1?Ancestry.comWindows[61]
style="background:salmon;"2008 Service Pack 2November 2007Ancestry.comWindowsAn initial release was in September but this was withdrawn 24 hours later.
style="background:salmon;"2008 Service Pack 3 (17.0.0.965)May 2008Ancestry.comWindows
style="background:salmon;"200928 August 2008The Generations NetworkWindows[62]
style="background:salmon;"2009 Patch 18A (18.0.0.94)?The Generations NetworkWindows[63]
style="background:salmon;"2009 Patch 18B (18.0.0.95)?The Generations NetworkWindows
style="background:salmon;"2009 Patch 18C (18.0.0.305)?The Generations NetworkWindows
style="background:salmon;"2009 Patch 18D (18.0.0.307)?The Generations NetworkWindows
style="background:salmon;"201019 August 2009Ancestry.comWindows Vista and XP SP2[64] [65]
style="background:salmon;"2010 Service Pack 1 (19.0.0.206)?Ancestry.comWindows 7, Vista, and XP SP2[66]
style="background:salmon;"201131 August 2010Ancestry.comWindows 7, Vista, and XP SP2[67]
style="background:salmon;"2011 Service Pack 1 (20.0.0.376)?Ancestry.comWindows 7, Vista, and XP SP2[68]
style="background:salmon;"2010 Mac4 November 2010Ancestry.comMac OSX 10.5 or later (Intel-based Mac)Marketed as Family Tree Maker for Mac. Supplied on 2 × CD-ROM[69] [70]
style="background:salmon;"2010 Mac (Update 19.2.0.241)1 February 2011Ancestry.comMac OSX 10.5 or later (Intel-based Mac)[71] [72]
style="background:salmon;"201229 September 2011Ancestry.comWindows 7, Vista, and XP SP2[73]
style="background:salmon;"World Express2013Ancestry.comWindows 7, Vista, and XP SP2With restricted functionality, only in German and Swedish[74]
style="background:salmon;"201410 September 2013Ancestry.comWindows 7, Vista, and XP SP2[75]
style="background:salmon;"2014 Mac13 December 2013Ancestry.comMac OSX 10.6 or later (Intel-based Mac)Marketed as Family Tree Maker Mac 3.[76]
style="background:salmon;"FTM 2014.11 January 2017mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10[77] [78]
style="background:salmon;"FTM Mac 3.11 January 2017mackiev.comMac OSX 10.8 or later, including macOS Sierra 10.12
style="background:salmon;"FTM 2017 (Version 23.0)16 July 2017mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10 + Mac OSX 10.9 or later, including macOS Sierra 10.13[79]
style="background:salmon;"FTM 2017 (Version 23.1)February 2018mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10 + Mac OSX 10.9 or later, including macOS Sierra 10.13
style="background:salmon;"FTM 2017 (Version 23.2)September 2018mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10 + Mac OSX 10.9 or later, including macOS Sierra 10.13
style="background:khaki;"FTM 2017 (Version 23.3)December 2019mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10 + Mac OSX 10.9 or later, including macOS Catalina 10.15[80]
style="background:salmon;"FTM 2019 (Version 24.0)28 September 2019mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10 + OS X 10.10 or later, including macOS Catalina 10.15[81]
style="background:salmon;"FTM 2019 (Version 24.0.1)November 2019mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10 + OS X 10.10 or later, including macOS Catalina 10.15[82]
style="background:#a0e75a;"FTM 2019 (Version 24.1)August 2022mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10 + OS X 10.10 or later, including macOS Catalina 10.15[83]
style="background:#a0e75a;"FTM 2019 (Version 24.2)February 2023mackiev.comWindows 7 or later, including Windows 10 + OS X 10.10 or later, including macOS Catalina 10.15[84]

FTM merger history

External links

  1. Web site: Home page of Kenneth Lafferty Hess . Kenneth Lafferty . Hess . During the 1990s I popularized computer genealogy by designing, developing, and selling the Family Tree Maker product line . 29 December 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110129094110/http://klhess.com/. 29 January 2011 . live.
  2. Web site: Family Tree Maker: 20-Year Anniversary!. Michelle. Pfister. 2009-12-11. 2018-01-03.
  3. Web site: FamilyTreeMaker.com. 30 March 2013.
  4. News: Broderbund Software in Banner Blue acquisition . The New York Times . 6 May 1995 . 1–37 . 30 June 2010.
  5. http://corporate.ancestry.com/press/press-releases/2007/08/ancestry.com-releases-completely-redesigned-family-tree-maker-2008-no.-1-selling-family-tree-software/ Ancestry.com Releases Completely Redesigned Family Tree Maker 2008, No. 1 Selling Family Tree Software
  6. Web site: Family Tree Maker 2009 Release. 2008-08-28. Ancestry Blog. en-US. 2019-12-24.
  7. Web site: Family Tree Maker 2010 Feature List . 24 April 2010 . 24 April 2010 . ancestry.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100102154022/http://familytreemaker.com/About/DetailedFeatures.aspx . January 2, 2010 . mdy .
  8. Web site: Is Family Tree Maker available for the Macintosh?. https://archive.today/20120716064734/http://ftm.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ftm.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1760. dead. 16 July 2012. 26 December 2006.
  9. Web site: Family Tree Maker software (Mac) Message Board . 6 November 2010 . Planetspriv . 4 November 2010 . ancestry.com.
  10. Web site: 2006 Codie Awards Winners . Software & Information Industry Association . 30 June 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100704170600/http://www.siia.net/codies/2011/pw_2006.asp . July 4, 2010 . dead .
  11. Web site: Ancestry to Retire Family Tree Maker Software – Ancestry Blog . 2018-01-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171224014834/https://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2015/12/08/ancestry-to-retire-family-tree-maker-software/ . 2017-12-24 . dead .
  12. Web site: New Family Tree Maker Options – Ancestry Blog. Blogs.ancestry.com. 2 January 2018.
  13. Web site: Family Tree Maker. Software MacKiev. https://web.archive.org/web/20180103065153/http://www.mackiev.com/ftm/. 2018-01-03. 2018-01-03.
  14. http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2009/12/11/family-tree-maker-20-year-anniversary/ Family Tree Maker: 20-Year Anniversary!
  15. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/gencmp/1995-07/0805689752 Re: FTM and GEDCOM:
  16. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Discover+and+Preserve+Your+Family+History+With+New+Version+3.0+of...-a017466392 Discover and Preserve Your Family History With New Version 3.0 of Family Tree Maker.
  17. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/gencmp/1996-08/0840095830 Re: Improvements from 3.0 – 3.02
  18. https://groups.google.com/group/alt.genealogy/msg/d422f9526dbf8581 Upgrade for FTM 3.0
  19. https://groups.google.com/group/alt.genealogy/msg/009376a919b6862a GEDCOM from Family Tree Maker
  20. Web site: Google Groups. Groups.google.com. May 3, 2016.
  21. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/463908/fr Liste des applications testées sous Windows 95 – F et G -
  22. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/gencmp/1999-03/0922858614 Re: FTM 6.0 and NT?
  23. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Family+Tree+Maker+Deluxe+Edition+II+for+Macintosh+Mac+Enthusiasts+Can...-a019087036 Family Tree Maker Deluxe Edition II for Macintosh Mac Enthusiasts Can Now Preserve and Organize Their Family History With The No. 1-Selling Family Tree Program.
  24. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BIL6G2 Family Tree Maker Deluxe Edition II for McIntosh/5 CD-ROMs, by Broderbund, Platform: Mac
  25. http://www.leisterpro.com/doc/reviews/1998/macworld_jan98.php GENEALOGY SOFTWARE: Use Your Mac to Find Your Roots
  26. Web site: Google Groups. Groups.google.com. May 3, 2016.
  27. Web site: Google Groups. Groups.google.com. May 3, 2016.
  28. http://www.genealogy.com/help/ftm_mac.html Technical Support for Family Tree Maker for Macintosh
  29. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Family+Tree+Maker+for+Macintosh%3b+No.+1-Selling+Family+Tree+Program...-a018783298 Family Tree Maker for Macintosh; No. 1-Selling Family Tree Program Will Make It Simple for Mac Enthusiasts to Preserve and Organize Their Family History
  30. Web site: Google Groups. Groups.google.com. May 3, 2016.
  31. Web site: Google Groups. Groups.google.com. May 3, 2016.
  32. Web site: Google Groups. Groups.google.com. May 3, 2016.
  33. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/support/general/09104.html Are There Any Downloadable Updates to Family Tree Maker?
  34. https://web.archive.org/web/19990223220856/http://www.familytreemaker.com/40bindex.html Family Tree Maker Version 4.0b Update
  35. Web site: Family Tree Maker File Fixer Update. https://web.archive.org/web/20121008171256/http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/support/filefixer.html. October 8, 2012. July 2, 2019.
  36. Web site: David. Wiseman. Coming Soon! Family Tree Maker(R) Version 4.4 for Windows!. https://web.archive.org/web/20170902134057/http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/WISEMAN/1998-01/0885993094. ancestry.com. September 2, 2017. January 28, 1998. July 2, 2019.
  37. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1998_July_8/ai_50147781/?tag=content;col1 The No. 1-selling Family Tree Software for Nearly a Decade, Broderbund's Family Tree Maker is Now Better Than Ever
  38. https://groups.google.com/group/alt.genealogy/msg/9e78e9f008bfb3b2 Message from discussion Family Tree Maker 5 Upgrade
  39. https://groups.google.com/group/alt.genealogy/msg/21047542a3c10da4 Message from discussion FTM 5 second patch coming
  40. http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.software.famtreemaker/3472.2.1/mb.ashx Re: transferring version 6.0 1999 to use with windows vista
  41. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/gencmp/1999-12/0944449781 Does FTM work with Windows NT?
  42. Web site: AncestrySupport. Ancestry.com. 2 January 2018.
  43. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/askh032900.html Ask Technical Services — March 2000, #2. Moveable Boxes — Family Tree Maker 7.5 Gives You Control of Your Tree
  44. Web site: AncestrySupport. Ancestry.com. 2 January 2018.
  45. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Genealogy.com+Ships+New+Version+8.0+of+Its+Top-Rated+Family+Tree...-a065295337 Genealogy.com Ships New Version 8.0 of Its Top-Rated Family Tree Maker(R) Software
  46. Web site: AncestrySupport. Ancestry.com. 2 January 2018.
  47. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Broderbund+Partners+With+A%26E+Television+Networks+and+Genealogy.com+To...-a078867295 Broderbund Partners With A&E Television Networks and Genealogy.com To Launch Family Tree Maker(R) Version 9 – The #1 Software for Building A Family Legacy
  48. http://www.genealogy.com/update/ Family Tree Maker Version 9.0 Update
  49. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Oct_1/ai_92277976/ Broderbund Ships Family Tree Maker Deluxe Version 10 #1 Selling Genealogy Software Program
  50. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Broderbund+Ships+Family+Tree+Maker+Deluxe+Version+10+--+%231+Selling...-a092277976 Broderbund Ships Family Tree Maker Deluxe Version 10 – #1 Selling Genealogy Software Program
  51. Web site: Message Boards. Boards.ancestry.com. 2 January 2018.
  52. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Broderbund+Teams+with+MyFamily.com+to+Launch+Family+Tree+Maker%28R%29...-a0108256034 Broderbund Teams with MyFamily.com to Launch Family Tree Maker(R) Version 11 – the #1 Selling Genealogy Software Program
  53. https://groups.google.com/group/soc.genealogy.computing/msg/767073f08c971c0a Message from discussion Family Tree Maker version question
  54. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Encore%2c+MyFamily.com+Ship+Family+Tree+Maker%28R%29+2005+-+The+%231+Selling...-a0122398554 Encore, MyFamily.com Ship Family Tree Maker(R) 2005 – The #1 Selling Genealogy Software Program
  55. http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.software.famtreemaker/3322.2.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx How can I delete duplicate media items?
  56. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Family+Tree+Maker+2006+Hits+Retail+Markets.-a0136079625 Family Tree Maker 2006 Hits Retail Markets
  57. http://past.familytreemaker.com/help/Updates/Default.aspx Family Tree Maker 2006 Updates and Downloads
  58. http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2006/08/family_tree_mak.html Family Tree Maker Version 16
  59. http://corporate.ancestry.com/press/press-releases/2007/08/ancestry.com-releases-completely-redesigned-family-tree-maker-2008-no.-1-selling-family-tree-software/ Ancestry.com Releases Completely Redesigned Family Tree Maker 2008, No. 1 Selling Family Tree Software
  60. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Ancestry.com+Releases+Completely+Redesigned+Family+Tree+Maker+2008%2c...-a0167551834 Ancestry.com Releases Completely Redesigned Family Tree Maker 2008, No. 1 Selling Family Tree Software
  61. http://www.familytreemaker.com/Support/Patch17 Family Tree Maker 2008 Program Updates are Now Available
  62. http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2008/08/28/family-tree-maker-2009-release/ Family Tree Maker 2009 Release
  63. http://www.familytreemaker.com/Support/Patch18 Family Tree Maker 2009 – Program Updates Help
  64. http://corporate.ancestry.com/press/press-releases/2009/08/new-ancestry.com-family-tree-maker-2010-software-adds-news-storytelling-and-organizational-tools/ New Ancestry.com Family Tree Maker 2010 Software Adds News Storytelling and Organizational Tools
  65. http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2009/08/19/family-tree-maker-the-new-version-2010/ Family Tree Maker: The New Version 2010
  66. http://www.familytreemaker.com/Support/Patch19 Family Tree Maker 2010 – Program Updates
  67. http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2010/08/31/family-tree-maker-2011-is-here/ Family Tree Maker 2011 is here!
  68. http://www.familytreemaker.com/Support/Patch20 Family Tree Maker 2011 – Program Updates
  69. http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2010/11/04/family-tree-maker-for-mac-is-here/ Family Tree Maker for Mac is Here!
  70. http://www.tamurajones.net/FamilyTreeMakerForMacIsBack.xhtml Family Tree Maker for Mac is back
  71. https://archive.today/20120701162525/http://ancestry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ancestry.cfg/php/enduser/sab_answer.php?p_faqid=5322 Family Tree Maker 2010 for mac won't load or continually crashes. What can I do?
  72. http://www.macgenealogy.org/2011/01/22/family-tree-maker-2010-for-mac-version-19-2-1-241/ Family Tree Maker 2010 for Mac Version 19.2.1.241
  73. http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2011/09/29/family-tree-maker-2012-is-here/ Family Tree Maker 2012 Is Here!
  74. Web site: Family Tree Maker World Express . 2013-06-25 . tamurajones.net . 2020-05-30.
  75. http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2013/09/10/available-now-family-tree-maker-version-2014/ Available Now: Family Tree Maker version 2014
  76. http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2013/12/13/just-released-family-tree-maker-for-mac/ Just Released: Family Tree Maker Mac 3!
  77. Web site: Family Tree Maker Updates Officially Released [Updated 1 Jan 2017]]. 31 December 2016. Genealogytools.com. 2 January 2018.
  78. Web site: Family Tree Maker . Mackiev.com . 2017-12-14.
  79. Web site: Free Update 23.3 for FTM 2017 . mackiev.com . 2020-05-30.
  80. Web site: macOS Catalina Compatibility for Family Tree Maker . mackiev.com . 2020-05-31.
  81. Web site: FTM 2019 - LAUNCH FAQ . mackiev.com . 2020-05-30.
  82. Web site: Free Update 24.0.1 for FTM 2019 . mackiev.com . 2020-05-30.
  83. Web site: Free Update 24.1 for FTM 2019 . mackiev.com . 2022-08-16.
  84. Web site: Free Update 24.2 for FTM 2019 . mackiev.com . 2023-02-19.
  85. Web site: A&E Television Networks, Hearst Interactive Media, Mattel, and Top Private Equity Firms Form Genealogy.com, LLC. https://web.archive.org/web/20000120053700/http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/991102/ca_genealo_1.html. PR Newswire. Cision. Yahoo.com. January 20, 2000. November 2, 1999. July 1, 2019.
  86. Web site: Family Tree Maker software isn't going away after all . tbo.com . 2016-03-06 . 2017-12-14 . 2017-12-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171215054931/http://www.tbo.com/health-lifestyles/family-tree-maker-software-isnt-going-away-after-all-20160306/ . dead .

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