Years ago (back in the Family Origins days) I got burned giving a date for a feature we were adding, and I promised myself I would never do that again. But users dislike uncertainty and like to press us for an estimated release date. Usually, I just say something like “it will be done when it is ready” and leave it at that. When Ancestry and RootsMagic announced our agreement to create a version of RootsMagic which would be able to sync with Ancestry trees and display WebHints from Ancestry, we were bombarded with the question of “when?” We usually don’t pre-announce upcoming features, but with this being a joint public announcement, the questions just kept coming.
So, apparently not having learned my lesson, we picked the end of the year as a safe guess, even though we had no idea what the brand new API (the system that lets RootsMagic and Ancestry talk with each other) would be like, what problems we might encounter along the way, or what other non-related issues might temporarily take us away. We’ve worked with API’s before, and have gotten pretty dang good at it. We’ve even written code to sync with online trees (FamilySearch), so we’re experienced there as well. And up until very recently, it still looked like we could meet that deadline.
But to be honest, I underestimated the amount of time necessary to finish and properly test this awesome new feature.
- I did take into account that we needed to wait for the new API, and we were able to use that time to work on some underlying code needed for syncing and hints.
- I didn’t take into account that is was a brand new API, one that no other company had ever worked with before. It’s easy to work with an existing API… there’s tons of documentation, and other programmers write about the pitfalls they encountered working with it. With a new API, there is limited documentation, and you get to spend a lot of time doing trial and error to find out what the API expects.
- I didn’t take into account that the API might be missing functions which we needed. When this happened, Ancestry has been great about providing those missing functions, but it still takes time.
- I didn’t take into account how often programmers would need to be pulled-off to put out fires in other areas of the program or with other APIs.
- I didn’t take into account the fact that we would tear out and rewrite large amounts of code several times when we found a faster or better way to do something.
So the bad news is that the Ancestry sync features won’t be released by the end of the year. But the good news is that it is close, it looks amazing, and we aren’t talking about a huge 6-month delay or anything like that. We know many of you are excited to share your data between RootsMagic and your Ancestry tree, and we are excited to be working to offer it. We just want to make sure that when we release these new features, you can depend on them working right, and keeping your data safe.
So where are we now? We have early testers working with it and still have some more code to write . Since even a small bug in sync code can cause tremendous damage to a data file or online tree, we want to make sure it is stable before turning more testers loose on it. Once we’re confident it is stable, we will turn it over to even more testers.
If you are interested in being one of those beta testers, please fill out this application.
And for everyone wanting to know the new exact release date… it will be done when it is ready. I’ve learned my lesson (again).
I would love to be a beta tester. However, I am very new to RootsMagic and extremely challenged; it’s quite a bit more complicated (detailed) than Ancestry. On the other hand I have been using Ancestry.com since 2002 and over the last year I work in it daily sometime several times a day. I took a genealogy class where the instructor gave us many good reasons for having an PC based program and recommended RootsMagic. I downloaded the program (then updated to a paid version), imported my GEDcom file and came to a screeching halt…LOL. Now I need a course on RootsMagic… :\. I kind of got it, but then did a terrible thing. After adding an extensive amount of data to my Ancestry tree……yeah, you got it, I tried to import and merge the files. I thought I followed the directions….not as well as I thought. 🙁 I think I have it squared away now, but to make a long story short…I am so excited about being able to someday, in the near future, “sync” my Ancestry tree(s) to RootsMagic. 😀
Thank you so much for the update. Rome was not built in one day. So if we want it to be good then we shall keep waiting.
I would rather wait than fight all the bugs along the way. I would also love that all media can be synced with the new Software. So, Mr. Bruce I am in no hurry. Waited all these years what is a few more months. Thank you so much for keeping us in the loop.
Bruce, thank you for the update. I am sure everyone understands. As an old programmer (main frame to pc) I do understand that new API does take a tremendous amount of both time and patience.
BTDT. I feel your pain. I had a horrible experience where our data warehouse released an update after the release of a new API from our data capture vendor, and in doing so opened wide the Gates of Hell. I am not sure what happened since they weren’t terribly communicative about it. I do remember in the months prior even with the new API available, there were constant issues with getting the two programs to play nicely together. I’d rather wait for something that works well than something that will reek havoc on my tree. What happened at work was a disaster of epic proportions that impeded our ability to do our work, the faith I lost in the vendor has never fully been restored. Thank you for being open and straight up with your customers. I advocate the same any job I am at (and have taken flack for it!), and I am always happy to wait so long as I know why I’m waiting. I certainly don’t want to find out there’s an issue when I try to sync my trees! Thank you for all your hard work on producing a great product!
We all appreciate you keeping us up to date. I know that I am truly looking forward to getting back to being able to mesh the on line with the in my computer trees. It is easy to lose touch with all of the things that have to happen in writing code.
Thank you for keeping us “in the loop.”
I’m so pleased that I will be able to sync my Ancestry Trees with Rootsmagic -its so close now and I know it will be well worth waiting for thank you for keeping us updated and all your hard work.
What! It won’t be ready by the end of this year!? Sorry, I couldn’t help myself, with all of the “thank yous'” and appreciation oozing in the comments. That says a lot about your service and desire to offer an exceptional product to users. I am new to Roots Magic and have been a FTM user, so I am transitioning into Roots Magic 7. As long as the product is secure, user friendly, has the ability for use among different devices, and will sync with Ancestry.com as FTM has, I will use, promote and “Yes,” even wait a little longer (heavy sigh). Thank you all.
I recommended Roots Magic to a friend who was just getting into her genealogy on the basis that it would “Sync” with Ancestry.com. That was several months ago, and needless to say, we have been waiting somewhat impatiently! Thanks for the update. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too much longer.
I second what’s been said by George G. Morgan and others. After retiring from a career in corporate computer operations, my wife and I served as volunteers for the LDS Church (missionaries) in the Family History Department’s Worldwide Support. I supervised volunteer support missionaries during the roll out of “new FamilySearch” (nFS). Genealogy software developers were anxious to be among the first to have their software work with the new API. Not Bruce. At the BYU Genealogy Conference in 2008 we asked him why he delayed. He said he wanted RootsMagic to be right the day he released it. That could mean only one thing — he places customer care above profits. If you want “fast” that’s easily had but if you want “quality”, that’s rare. Thanks Bruce for sticking by your guns and standing out from the crowd.
Having been Global Director of Quality for a very large company for many years may I repeat something I told co workers many times.
I can defend with my last breath, and will, if you build it right and it is late. I have nothing I can say to defend us if it built wrong and on time.
Make it right, please!
thank you for all you do. Keep us posted!
thanks for the update … everyone loves knowing how it’s going … as for getting it now and not quite right, that’s a NO … getting it later and having it great is a big fat YES … thanks for all of your efforts
Thank you for the update. I am very keen on the sync with Ancestry and will wait until it is released. Things happen which cause delays, but patience is something I have learnt to have. It is better to make sure all data is protected, then be fixing it up and causing frustration. I am enjoying the RootsMagic program since changing from Family Tree Maker.
I also appreciate the update and totally agree with your approach. I develop solutions for users and understand what you’re facing. Would rather wait for a final product that works as it should. Kudos to you and your team; great job and thank you!
I know where you are coming from but I have had my new Roots Magic Programme for nearly 6 months, I started all over again to enter my Family History onto the programme but it will take so long, so I am being patient waiting for the Ancestry Sync programme, but I am now worried I wont be able to do it because I am no longer a member of Ancestry.com
“All good things come to those who wait” is the saying I have heard. It looks like this is going to be the case here – I’m being patient and really appreciate the cautiousness Roots Magic are taking.
Unfortunately I am not too patient myself and was tempted to try the new FTM, luckily having taken backups of backups of backups so nothing has been lost! Having said that, the whole package is an absolute disaster and I can’t wait to ditch FTM which I once loved, but now can’t wait to see the back of!
You are doing a great job,So let’s give it time to be it’s best. YOU people are wonderful.
I really like RootsMagic without the sync to Ancestry.com because I like to control what I enter and not have other “researchers” copying information that they do not give me credit for.
I have worked long and hard tracking down and verifying ALL the information I enter into RootsMagic.
I hope there is a way to keep my info from being copied.
Will the beta be available for Mac?
Reply: Yes, when you fill out the survey form it will ask which operating system you use.
Renee, RootsMagic
Thank you for the update. Really appreciate your honesty and for taking time to get it right and not rushing it out by your stated deadline!
TKU. Syncing with Ancestry to FTM has had its challenges , I am sure you will provide a great service once complete.
Thank you for the update and for taking the time to make sure “all systems are go” before releasing this new software feature.
You have learned from your history. Bravo! Don’t worry about disappointing me. Take the time you need.
Looking forward to this becoming available.
Will it be possible to transfer data from Ancestry if you have not as yet entered data into Roots Magic?
Thanks!
Reply: Yes, being able to direct import from Ancestry will be included.
Renee, RootsMagic
Thanks so much for the update! It’s much appreciated. Keep up the good work.
I’m so happy with the explanation. It takes time to get things right and your reputation
for a product that works right the first time and keeps on working has preceeded you.
Take your time. Our data can wait. Thanks for a wonderful series of products.
Jon P Czarowitz
Thank you for letting us know. I was looking for now. I was hoping I would be able to go back and forth with Family Tree Maker.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Bruce, I appreciate your open, honest, update. Please take all the time that’s necessary to ensure the result is everything you want it to be! RootsMagic is a great blessing to our family history work.
Thank you Bruce for being honest with your customers, to know you have the users at heart makes RM more trustworthy and the number one FT program on the market, so what’s a few more months if we know that our data will not be jeopardised. Well done Bruce.
That’s great news. Please don’t rush but get it right. I created a mess for myself by downloading ancestry, making changes, uploading to ancestry but then I didn’t have my old media files which is very frustrating. Also I still don’t get how My Heritage fits in in regards to authenticating entry by attaching media to roots and then ancestry? Please make it simple for us. I’ve only been doing this for 20 years and I learn every day.
Thank you! Will patiently wait until you have something you are confident with. Looking forward to that day!
I am so happy that I chose RootsMagic. It is so really, really nice to know that you, Bruce, plus all your team, have the integrity to provide your customers with such a great product and that you won’t release the new features until they are really ready. I have an IT background so I know the pressure you must feel you are under. Please be assured that we all would rather you don’t feel that pressure and just concentrate on the job so we can get the features working as planned. You guys rock. Well done in advance.
Is there an outline somewhere of how you expect this feature to work?
Agree and happy to hear the news.
Brenda
Thank you for being honest and I would rather wait and have no bugs in the system as I am not a Tech person by any means so the the simpler the process the better for me
Type your comment here.I have used RootsMagic over 12 years with continued upgrades. Simultaneously used Ftm over 20 years. Am registered with FamilySearch and subribe to Ancestry International. I teach Genealogy Classes at Largo FL and at Newland NC.
I learned long ago that getting it right the first time is better than having to redo a mistake made early. So I will be patient and look forward to the new program when you feel it is ready.
Can’t hardly wait. Never have liked keeping up information on two separate databases, so this will be well worth the time it takes to get it right. Looking forward to doing everything on Roots Magic!
I have been a visitor on this planet for long enough to know that you never make a promise that you cannot keep. You are very brave to open yourself to criticism. Having researched my FH since the 80’s and losing quantities of my paper data due to theft, I know the feeling of despair when you lose your work. I can empathize with you about doing it right the first time. You may lose a few impatient subscribers but nothing compared to doing it wrong and losing your subcribers digital data. Be patient, do it right the first time and you will reap the rewards.
Am I the only one who does not know what the acronym API means? I assume it has something to do with writing and/or using a program. Is it a new computer language?
Reply: API stands for Application Program Interface
Renee, RootsMagic
Your consistency in pragmatic programming standards and quality product is the reason why I’ve used RootsMagic for about 20yrs now. While this is a great addition to look forward to, I agree with all the other users in being willing to wait for a working product vs. a problematic one. Having been an informatics RN for several yrs of my career, I can say “been there, done that, and hated working w/other companies that didn’t have the same standards you all have employed. Thanks for the 1000s of hours of hard work for your loyal fans!!!1
Thanks for the update. I am a pharmacist and as I once told an impatient customer,”Do you want it quick or do you want it correct?”
I want it correct.
Anxiously awaiting the sync!
Have used FTM almost exclusively because of Ancestry interoperability for the last 12 or so years until last year when I started using RM7. I love RM and have been using it to build research trees from gedcoms of DNA matches. Can’t wait to put FTM away and sync RM and my Ancestry trees as well.
Bruce, you are absolutely amazingly awesome. Thank you.
thanks Bruce I am happy to wait should be good
.
Better to make sure the code is clean and that user expectations are met. I’m guessing from the tone of your blog post that a true native Mac version of RootsMagic is not forthcoming and we Mac user will still be subjugated to the “wine” version?
Mahalo. Excellent update. Standing by.
Whenever you get it ready to use will be fine, feel no need to rush. I have been using your genealogy software since the Family Origins days, and am so impressed with all the features and capabilities. I am sure that I do not fully utilize all that RootsMagic offers, but I will definitely enjoy the Ancestry synch as will my wife. Years ago, you called me on a problem I was having, Bruce, and it turns out that it was my own fault. That dedication is reassuring and I look forward to your newest version of RootsMagic.
I bought rootsmagic on the strength of it linking in with ancestry, been waiting as it long passed the time I was told it would happen . I look forward t hit happening . may your troubles be small. im sure it will be worth it when it happens .
This is a very acceptable update notice. It expresses clearly the care and respect the RootsMagic team have for their customers. Just a little while longer to wait for what will be such a formidable Family History software tool is not problem at all. Thank you so very much for this honest hugging message.