RootsMagic Releases Free Genealogy and Family Tree Software

RootsMagic Essentials

“RootsMagic Essentials” Brings Free Tools for Family History

SPRINGVILLE, Utah. — November 18, 2009 — RootsMagic, Inc. announced the immediate availability of RootsMagic Essentials, free desktop genealogy software based on their award-winning RootsMagic 4 system.  RootsMagic Essentials contains many core features found in its namesake that allow the public to easily start tracing their family trees.

Essential Features for Everyone

“Many of our users have told us that they have friends and family members who are interested in getting started in family history but aren’t ready to invest in a more comprehensive package like RootsMagic,” said Bruce Buzbee, president.  “RootsMagic Essentials gives them the features they need to start researching and recording their family tree at a price that can’t be beat—free!”

RootsMagic Essentials Screen

RootsMagic Essentials shares many of the same features with the full RootsMagic software including clean and friendly screens, the ability to add an unlimited number of people and events, pictures and media management, the SourceWizard to write your source citations for you, powerful merging and clean-up tools, dozens of reports and charts, support for international character sets, FamilySearch integration, and the ability to share data with other people and software programs.  The full version of RootsMagic is available for purchase and includes features not available in RootsMagic Essentials.

Free and Available Now

RootsMagic Essentials is available now for free at http://www.rootsmagic.com.  Users of other genealogy software products will find it easy to experiment with RootsMagic Essentials using their own data.  RootsMagic Essentials can directly import data from PAF, Family Tree Maker (through 2006), Family Origins, and Legacy Family Tree.  It can also read and write data using the popular GEDCOM format.

“We’re excited to make RootsMagic Essentials available to the community,” said Michael Booth, vice-president.  “Our mission is to provide ‘software to unite families’ and our hope is that RootsMagic Essentials will encourage more people to record their family trees and connect with their family histories”.

About RootsMagic, Inc.

For over 20 years, RootsMagic, Inc. has been creating computer software with a special purpose—to unite families.  One of our earliest products- the popular “Family Origins” software, introduced thousands of people to the joy and excitement of family history.

That tradition continues today with “RootsMagic”, our award-winning genealogy software which makes researching, organizing, and sharing your family history fun and easy.  “Personal Historian” will help you easily write and preserve your life stories.  “Family Reunion Organizer” takes the headaches out of planning those important get-togethers.  And “Family Atlas” creates beautiful and educational geographic maps of your family history.

For more information, visit http://www.rootsmagic.com.

Source: RootsMagic, Inc.

30 thoughts to “RootsMagic Releases Free Genealogy and Family Tree Software”

  1. Outstanding! I know a number of family members and other genealogy reserachers who can use this new program. Thank you for making it available for free.

    Merry Christmas!

  2. I started with Family Origins 1.3 when it first came out. I can say Root Magic is all I expected it to be and more. It is so easy to use and understand. Thanks.

  3. You have given us one step up in sharing genealogy with family and friends. Simplify is the best thing in life we can expect in this day and you have done it with RootMagic Essentials. Thank you for this free software which is a much needed replacement for PAF.

  4. I just downloaded Rootsmagic Essentials to take a look. I also have the registered version of RM4 ver 4.0.7.0.

    The Essentials file I downloaded from the link provided sent me the file RM4Setup.exe with the same file size as the file I downloaded this morning.

    If I try to install Essentials will it overwrite my current installation?

    I would think Essentials would have its own name and a different file size.

  5. I was shocked when I read that you have a free release of Roots Mzgic. I think that is great Bruce. Even though they have told us not to pitch on product over another, I found myself pitching for Roots Magic. I love Roots Magic I only which I the in and out of it better.
    Keep up the good work Bruce

  6. Chris, RootsMagic Essentials is the same executable as the full RootsMagic program. When you enter your registration key you have the full version. Without it you have Essentials.

  7. Since the Essentials executable is the same as the full RM4, this means that users of full RM4 cannot take a look at Essentials so they can describe it to friends and family in terms of how it differs. Could see a list of some sort that shows what capabilities are different between the two? Might help us to talk it up rather than just saying “try it but I can’t tell you what it’s like.”

    Is it similar to the capabilities of the Shareable CD?

    Help us help you. 🙂

  8. I have roots magic, but would like a book to guide me and help with some
    things I don’t understand.
    Is there a book?

  9. Looks like the Rootsmagic server is down this morning (500 internal server error). I’ll go take a look at it later – maybe it will be back online then. I’m excited about promoting the new RME. Great idea! I know lots of folks who will be delighted to dump PAF in favor of RME.

  10. I just moved to RootsMagic4 from Family Tree Maker. It’s a move that is proving to be a good investment. Much easier user interface and an abundance of reports.

  11. Rootsmagic you realy are magic and so easy to use Thank you and best wish`s for the Festive season.

  12. From what I am able to see, it looks like a program that I will love to use for my family history.

  13. I am so pleased to see this program offered without charge. I believe it will bring many people to the love of genealogy and working on their family histories! Thank you!

  14. “thank you” for that its going to make a difference to the way we work on the trees and will make it better I”m still waiting to get the Whole progame its only part of it, so then I’m up and Running Waiting for the Finances then I”m on my way.

  15. I used Family Origins 5.0 to do my wife’s family. It was her last project before she passed away. Now I want to work on my family. I’m excited to try RootsMagic Essentials first. I hope I can import the old data from FO 5.0. Thanks for the new producs.

  16. I have just got this program. I am anxious to learn to use it.Thanks for making it available for free.

  17. I have tried the Roots Magic from your free down load, I like it very Much espesily the edit program, it has a lot of self help areas.I have worked with Family Tree Maker so some years,

  18. I have heard a lot about RootsMagic
    and I cant’t wait to get started. Thank You for this program.

  19. RootsMagic 4 is so much nicer and easier to use than 3, especially inputting and editing your information.

  20. I am delighted with the many comments. All were helpful. I’m happy with RM 4.0.7.0; it meets my needs. I agree with No 1, that simplicity is best for beginners. And Alan Wood’s request for a list benefited me. I took the time to run off a copy and check each feature against the master list; Thank you for your trouble! It was a tremendous help in making my decision. I will stick with RM 4.0.7.0. Well done!

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