More Free RootsMagic Classes

Bruce Buzbee 2 Comments

It seems like the more free RootsMagic classes we do, the more requests we get for additional topics.  Here are 4 new classes scheduled for the next couple of months.  Each class will be limited to the first 1000 people to sign up, but if you miss out or can’t make it, don’t worry because we will record the class for you to download and watch later.

To sign up for the free classes, or to view past recorded classes, visit us at:

http://www.rootsmagic.com/webinars

Here are upcoming classes for May and June:

  • Creating a Website in RootsMagic
    Putting your data on your own website is a great way to share your research with family members and to make connections with unknown cousins and distant relatives.  Join us for a look at how to build your family website with RootsMagic and different options for sharing it online.
    Thursday, May 19, 2011
    5pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Google Search Tips and Tricks with Lisa Louise Cooke
    Google Earth is a 360 degree, 3-dimensional way to view your ancestors world! In this webinar you will learn from Lisa Louise Cooke how to unlock mysteries in your research – from unidentified photographs, to how a location looked a hundred years ago or more. You’ll also see the potential this free program has for helping you tell your family history stories in a compelling visual way that will fascinate your family.
    Tuesday, May 24, 2011
    6pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Search Techniques in RootsMagic
    You can find a person by name in RootsMagic, but do you know how to find all females born in England between 1780 and 1820 who never married?  Join us for a look at RootsMagic’s powerful searching capabilities that help you find what you’re looking for both in your own file and online.
    Wednesday, June 1, 2011
    2pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Pictures and Media in RootsMagic
    They say a picture’s worth a thousand words but pictures of your family history are priceless!  Join us for a look at how to scan and add pictures into RootsMagic of people, places, and sources to really bring your family tree to life!
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011
    5pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes

Here are the free archived webinars already available for you to view or download:

  • Getting Started with RootsMagic
  • Publishing a Family History with RootsMagic
  • FamilySearch Made Easy with RootsMagic
  • RootsMagic To-Go: Running RootsMagic on a Flash Drive
  • Sources, Citations, and Documentation with RootsMagic
  • Working with Files and Folders in RootsMagic
  • Cleaning Your Family Tree in RootsMagic
  • Personal Historian: Bringing Life to Your Life Stories
  • Creating Custom Reports with RootsMagic
  • Map and Explore Your Family Tree with Family Atlas
  • Adding and Editing Information in RootsMagic
  • Lists and Reports in RootsMagic
  • Writing Your Personal History (and Living to Tell About it)
  • Places and Mapping in RootsMagic
  • Ask the RootsMagician
  • Google Search Tips and Tricks with Lisa Louise Cooke
  • Creating and Printing Wallcharts with RootsMagic

Why Do I Need a Backup of my RootMagic Database?

renee 9 Comments

One of the biggest heartaches we have in tech support is when we receive an email or phone call from a user whose computer has crashed, and they are without a backup copy of their database. Think about how much time you have invested in your database, and how long it would take to re-create that database from scratch. Having a backup copy of your database protects you if your computer crashes, or you accidentally delete your file, or your database somehow gets corrupted.

A backup is a compressed copy of your RootsMagic database and has a .rmgb extension. It is less likely to become corrupted when emailed or transferred to another computer than a database file (.rmgc) is. A backup is better than a GEDCOM file because it will save all your RootsMagic specific settings, and ensure you have the same record numbers assigned each person.

By default each RootsMagic backup has the date assigned to the file name (YYYY-MM-DD). Having the date for each backup is important. This will allow you to have multiple backups going back in time, and will show you which backup is the most recent. There may be times you need to return to an earlier file in your database, i.e. file corruption, incorrect merging, deleting of individuals or facts unintentionally, etc. You can keep as many backups on your computer as your hard drive space will allow. We have some users with backups going back several years.

It is best to get into the habit of creating a backup each time you exit the program after changes have been made. When you have been working in RootsMagic for several hours at a time, stop and make a backup at whatever point you would hate to recreate your work if you computer suddenly failed. Simply add a letter after the date in the backup to denote your work throughout the day.

Once you have made a backup it is good practice to store that backup somewhere other than your computer. Backups can be stored on external hard drives, flash drives, and CDs. Saving to the “cloud” will give you access to your backup away from home. Check into services such as Mozy, Carbonite, Backblaze and Dropbox. Don’t let the cloud fool you into a false sense of security if it is only saving a copy of your database file (.rmgc). There will be times you need to restore from a backup and it won’t be there when you need it. Have your database (.rmgc) and backup (.rmgb) file both saved to your computer hard drive and then use a cloud service to protect yourself.

Web based email services, such as GMail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc can also act as a cloud service. Simply email your backup (.rmgb) to yourself and access it later from anywhere.

If you haven’t made a backup of your RootsMagic database, stop and do it now!

Win a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card

Michael Booth 17 Comments

We would like to know more about which online genealogical services you use or are interested in.   You would like that pricey genealogy book you’ve been eyeing on Amazon.com.   We have a solution that could benefit us both.

We’ve created a brief survey to get your opinions on various online genealogy services and your interest in having RootsMagic work with them.  And when we say “brief”, we mean it.  Really, seriously.  It should only take you a minute or two.

In appreciation for your participation, one respondent will be randomly selected to receive a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate.  The winner can use the gift certificate towards anything they want from the world’s largest online store!

$100 Amazon Gift Certificate

Click here to take survey!

Official Rules: Must be 18 or older to win. Limit 1 entry per person. To enter, complete the survey and include a valid e-mail address. One winner be will be randomly selected on May 1, 2011 at 12:00 MDT. Winner will receive a $100 Amazon.com Gift Certificate via e-mail. Winner is responsible for any taxes or fees associated with the prize.

Free RootsMagic Classes for April

Bruce Buzbee 7 Comments

And the free RootsMagic classes don’t stop.  Here are 4 new classes scheduled for the next month.  Each class will be limited to the first 1000 people to sign up, but if you miss out or can’t make it, don’t worry because we will record the class for you to download and watch later.

To sign up for the free classes, or to view past recorded classes, visit us at:

http://www.rootsmagic.com/webinars

Here are the upcoming classes for April:

  • Places and Mapping in RootsMagic
    Wherever you go, there you are!  Places and geography are an integral part of our lives and the lives of our ancestors.  Join us for a look at the many tools in RootsMagic which help you accurately record the places in your family history, clean and standardize names, and even view them on a map!
    Wednesday, April 13, 2011
    2pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Ask the RootsMagician!
    This is your chance to ask your questions and get the answers straight from the source!  Bruce Buzbee, the author of RootsMagic will be answering your questions about the software in this special, open-topic webinar.
    Tuesday, April 19, 2011
    5pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Google Search Tips and Tricks
    Frustrated by thousands of irrelevant search results in your recent Google searches for your family history? Do you want to achieve better results in a shorter amount of time?  Learn the art of online search with Google expert and genealogy podcaster Lisa Louise Cooke, author of the new book The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox. In this webinar you will expand your Google search repertoire and learn techniques, tricks and tips to achieve better genealogical search results.
    Thursday, April 28, 2011
    6pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Creating and Printing Wallcharts with RootsMagic
    Ever wish your family tree wasn’t confined to a computer screen or a small sheet of paper?  Wallcharts let you see the “big picture” of your family history!  Join us for a look at RootsMagic’s wallcharts and how to customize them.  Also joining us will be Janet Hovorka of Generation Maps to show us how to easily and affordably print our charts and some special services which they provide.
    Tuesday, May 3, 2011
    5pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes

Here are the recorded webinars already available for you to view or download:

  • Getting Started with RootsMagic
  • Publishing a Family History with RootsMagic
  • FamilySearch Made Easy with RootsMagic
  • RootsMagic To-Go: Running RootsMagic on a Flash Drive
  • Sources, Citations, and Documentation with RootsMagic
  • Working with Files and Folders in RootsMagic
  • Cleaning Your Family Tree in RootsMagic
  • Personal Historian: Bringing Life to Your Life Stories
  • Creating Custom Reports with RootsMagic
  • Map and Explore Your Family Tree with Family Atlas
  • Adding and Editing Information in RootsMagic
  • Lists and Reports in RootsMagic
  • Writing Your Personal History (and Living to Tell About it)

Free Online Classes for March

Bruce Buzbee 15 Comments

Thanks again for all the kind words about our free online classes.  And we’re just getting started.  Here are 5 new classes scheduled for March.  Each class will be limited to the first 1000 people to sign up, but if you miss out or can’t make it, don’t worry because we will record the class for you to download and watch later.

To sign up for the free classes, or to view past recorded classes, visit us at:

http://www.rootsmagic.com/webinars

Here are the upcoming classes for March:

  • Creating Custom Reports with RootsMagic
    RootsMagic has over 100 built-in charts and reports to help you visualize and share your family history.  But sometimes you may be looking for a very specific report or list customized to your taste and needs.  That’s where RootsMagic’s Custom Reports feature comes is.  Join us for a demonstration of how to use this feature to make new reports that are all your own.
    Wednesday, March 2, 2011
    5pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Map and Explore Your Family Tree with Family Atlas
    Family Atlas is the fun and easy way to map your family history. Trace your ancestors migration around the world and pinpoint the sites of important family events. Import your family data directly from your genealogy software, then create and print personalized family maps.  Join us for a demonstration of this impressive software.
    Tuesday, March 8, 2011
    1pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Adding and Editing Information in RootsMagic
    RootsMagic makes it easy to add and edit people, relationships, facts, and events to your file.  Join us for an in-depth look at how to build and shape your family tree using RootsMagic.
    Wednesday, March 16, 2011
    11am MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Lists and Reports in RootsMagic
    There’s so much more than just pedigree charts!  RootsMagic offers a wide-variety of lists and reports to help you visualize and share your family history.  Join us for a look at each of them how they can show you surprising details about your family tree.
    Thursday, March 24, 2011
    5pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Writing Your Personal History (and Living to Tell About it)
    So you’ve wanted to write a personal history but get overwhelmed with the size and complexity of the task.  Where do I start?  What do I write?  How do I make it interesting for others to read?  Join us for an entertaining look at methods to recall, organize, write, and publish personal histories about yourself and other individuals.
    Wednesday, March 30, 2011
    2pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes

Join us in St. George, Utah (Feb. 25-26)

Michael Booth 3 Comments

As has become an annual tradition, we are pleased to sponsor the St. George Family History Expo on February 25-26, 2011 at the Dixie Center, 1835 Convention Center Dr., St. George, Utah.  Visit our booth, attend our free classes, and take advantage of our conference specials!

Free Exhibit Hall!

Visit us at the RootsMagic booth in the Expo’s exhibit hall and experts will be on hand to an swer questions about the RootsMagic software.  Don’t miss special conference discounts on various RootsMagic products.  The Exhibit Hall also features family history vendors from across the world.  The Exhibit Hall is free to the public and is open:

  • Friday, February 25: 9 am – 6 pm
  • Saturday, February 26: 9 am – 4:00 pm

Free RootsMagic Classes!

Come learn more about RootsMagic and Personal Historian in four free classes. That’s right, these classes are FREE to anyone (but you do have to come pick up a ticket from our booth to attend).

  • FamilySearch Made Easy with RootsMagic 4 – Friday 1:30 pm, Auditorium
  • Personal Historian: Bringing Life to Your Life Stories –  Friday 4:30 pm, Entrada A
  • RootsMagic: Pruning, Cleaning and Extending Your Family Tree – Saturday 9:30 am, Auditorium
  • RootsMagic: Sharing and Publishing Your Family Tree – Saturday 1:00 pm, Auditorium

We are also teaching another class which is part of the paid registration:

  • Genealogy on the Go! – Saturday 11:00 am, Sunbrook AB

Other Classes!

Over 100 classes will be presented by industry leaders and experts from the local and national genealogical community. Products and services from genealogy companies will also be showcased in an exhibit hall where you can meet with specialists for free personal consultations on research questions or problems.

If you wish to attend the other classes, registration is just $65.00 for both days ($75 at the door) or $40.00 for a single day. Individuals who want to attend only one or two classes and visit the Exhibit Hall can register for single classes at $12.00 each.

Expo details and the class schedule are available online at: www.FHExpos.com.

RootsMagic 4 Update Released (4.1.1.5)

Bruce Buzbee 33 Comments

This minor update adds a couple of small requested features and fixes a number of issues.  If you have the RootsMagic News screen come up when you start RootsMagic, it may have already notified you of this update.  If not, you can do “Help > Check for Updates” from the RootsMagic menu to download and install this update.  Note: I have updated the list below with the changes for version 4.1.0.0, 4.1.1.0, 4.1.1.1, 4.1.1.2, 4.1.1.3, 4.1.1.4 and 4.1.1.5.

You can also download the update from http://www.rootsmagic.com/updates/rootsmagic.

Here are the new, fixed, and updated items in this update:

  • Notes for alternate names now print for group sheet and individual summary
  • Record # button didn’t work on Select People screen until you highlighted someone in the list
  • Sentence templates for user defined roles are supported in GEDCOM now
  • Alternate names are handled in the various Fact Lists (Private facts, Facts w/o sources, etc)
  • Privacy works properly for alternate name facts in individual summary now
  • WebSearch works properly for names with accented characters now
  • [xUpline] was showing up in websites for privatized people with no events
  • Fixed SQLite error 21 when printing todo list for single repository sorted by repository
  • Added option to support New FamilySearch on Macs running CrossOver (Tools > File options > FamilySearch)
  • Adding a new fact on the edit screen and pressing Alt+V would sometimes show incorrect data in the list
  • Can search / select on FamilySearch ID in selection screen now
  • Custom reports support printing and sorting by FamilySearch ID
  • Unicode characters in names and places transfer properly from RM to NFS
  • Fixed a few list issues
  • Shared events are now retained during merge
  • Kinship list would sometimes display incorrect relationships (4.1.1.0)
  • Henry, D’Aboville, and Outline numbering in narrative reports handles children from multiple spouses correctly (4.1.1.0)
  • Fixed a problem with the place list sometimes crashing from the edit screen on a few systems (4.1.1.0)
  • Fixed a problem with the family list (Search > Family List) crashing on a few systems (4.1.1.0)
  • Fixed link to FAQs (Knowledge base) under the Internet menu (4.1.1.0)
  • Legacy import converts formatting codes in source detail text and comments now (4.1.1.0)
  • PAF import preserves source detail date now (4.1.1.0)
  • Added Internet > Learning center to take you online for tutorials / webinars (4.1.1.0)
  • Sort by birthday and anniversary in custom reports works correctly now (4.1.1.1)
  • Fixed some sentence template issues (4.1.1.1)
  • People View now supports FamilySearch ID as a column (4.1.1.1)
  • Removed debug window from NFS User Profile settings (4.1.1.1)
  • NFS Share Data screen sometimes showed incorrect matches between children (4.1.1.1)
  • Fixed some issues with the New FamilySearch import (4.1.1.1)
  • Fixed some issues with New FamilySearch Share Data screen (4.1.1.1)
  • Fixed freezing during NFS operations on some computers (4.1.1.2)
  • Information would sometimes not print in the Individual Summary (4.1.1.2)
  • GEDCOM would sometimes mix up address fields when only partial addresses existed (4.1.1.2)
  • Explorer now displays place details for events (4.1.1.2)
  • Source template values in GEDCOM can now span multiple lines (CONT/CONC) (4.1.1.2)
  • NFS filter sometimes showed incorrect group name (4.1.1.2)
  • Minor NFS tweak (4.1.1.3)
  • Minor NFS tweak (4.1.1.4)
  • Source report (and some others) would sometimes print a repository twice (4.1.1.5)
  • GEDCOM export could crash when encountering a corrupt date field in the database (4.1.1.5)
  • Handle the incorrect FTM 2008-2011 GEDCOM CONC tag handling (4.1.1.5)
  • Some ordinances for people w/o death facts wouldn’t print in LDS report (4.1.1.5)
  • Fixed address issues during GEDCOM import (4.1.1.5)
  • ToDo list would sometimes print an incorrect repository for items with no repository (4.1.1.5)

More Free Online Classes

Bruce Buzbee 21 Comments

First, we’d like to thank everyone for the overwhelming response to our online classes (webinars).  Every class has been full, and from what you have told us by email and at conferences, they are a big hit.

Here are the next 2 classes we will be offering:

  • Working With Files and Folders in RootsMagic
    Is working with files in RootsMagic a mystery? Learn how to organize your RootsMagic files and folders, create and restore backups, import and export information from other programs and GEDCOM files, share data between computers, and much more!
    Tuesday, February 8, 2011
    5pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes
  • Cleaning Your Family Tree in RootsMagic
    Every family tree is subject to errors. Learn how to clean up your places and sources, discover possible errors and problems in your data, find and merge duplicate records, split and merge trees, and more!
    Friday, February 18, 2011
    3pm MST See In Your Time Zone
    90 minutes

To sign up for the free classes, or to view past recorded classes, visit us at:

http://www.rootsmagic.com/webinars

These classes were chosen based on the response to our survey.  If you still haven’t had a chance to let us know what you want us to teach click here to take the survey.

Each class will be limited to the first 1000 people to sign up, but if you miss out or can’t make it, don’t worry because we will record the class for you to download and watch later.

Running RootsMagic on a Mac

renee 37 Comments

Do RootsMagic, Personal Historian, Family Atlas, or your other products run on a Mac?

Yes – but with help.  In fact, we have many happy Mac users of our software.  However, all of our software is currently designed to run on Windows operating systems.  That’s where “the help” comes in.

What do you mean by “Help”?

All Macs built since 2006 use the same microprocessors as Windows PCs.  This means that you can install the Windows operating system on your Mac and run any Windows software.  There area also other non-Windows options available.

How do I install Windows on my Mac?

There are three products available that allow you to install Windows on your Mac: Apple Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, and VMWare Fusion.

All three install the full Windows operating system and allow you to run any Windows application on your Mac.  You get the best of both worlds!  All three also require that you have a fully-licensed copy of Windows to install.

What if I don’t want to install Windows on my Mac?

No problem.  There are two products available which allow some Windows software (including all of ours) to run on a Mac without actually having Windows: Wine, and CrossOver Mac.

Will you ever have actual Mac versions of your software?

It is certainly our intention.  We have many Mac users who would love this and we love to make our users happy.  We’re just waiting for the necessary tools and technology to become available (which will hopefully be in the near-future).

Links

Apple Boot Camp – www.apple.com – Free

  • Tech Support by Manufacturer

Parallels Desktop – www.parallels.com – $79.95

  • Run Mac & Windows at Same Time
  • Tech Support by Manufacturer

VMWare Fusion – www.vmware.com – $79.95

  • Run Mac & Windows at Same Time
  • Tech Support by Manufacturer

Wine – www.winehq.org – Free

  • Run Mac & Windows at Same Time
  • No Windows CD Required

CrossOver Mac – www.codeweavers.com – $39.95

  • Run Mac & Windows at Same Time
  • No Windows CD Required
  • Tech Support by Manufacturer

RootsMagic products will also run on the Linux operating system under Wine.

Note: All of our software has been tested and confirmed to work on all of these products. However, we can only offer technical assistance with our own software and not with other products or operating systems.

Join us in Arizona (Jan 20-22)!

Michael Booth

To say that we’re thrilled with the response to our free online classes would be an understatement.   But that doesn’t mean that we’re giving up all in-person interactions (we still have to leave our wintry ice-caves sometimes).  Our first outing of 2011 will be to sunny Arizona!

Thursday Afternoon – Sun City West, Arizona

Our first stop is at the Palm Ridge Rec Center in Sun City West.  The Sun City West Genealogical Club is hosting Bruce Buzbee, author of RootsMagic, for an entertaining demonstration of RootsMagic.

Thursday Evening – Phoenix, Arizona

Our next stop is at the Phoenix Family History Center.  Bruce Buzbee will demonstrate RootsMagic 4 and how it interfaces with new FamilySearch.  The demonstration is free to the public.

Friday and Saturday – Mesa, Arizona

The grand jewel of our trip will be the Arizona Family History Expo on January 21-22, 2011 at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, Arizona.  Visit our booth, attend our free classes, and take advantage of our conference specials!

Free Exhibit Hall!

Visit us at the RootsMagic booth in the Expo’s exhibit hall and experts will be on hand to an swer questions about the RootsMagic software.  Don’t miss special conference discounts on various RootsMagic products.  The Exhibit Hall also features family history vendors from across the world.  The Exhibit Hall is free to the public and is open:

  • Friday, January 21: 9 am – 6 pm
  • Saturday, January 22: 9 am – 4:00 pm

Free RootsMagic Classes!

Come learn more about RootsMagic and Personal Historian in four free classes. That’s right, these classes are FREE to anyone (but you do have to come pick up a ticket from our booth to attend).

  • Personal Historian: Bringing Life to Your Life Stories – Friday 10:00 am, Palo Verde Room 3
  • FamilySearch Made Easy with RootsMagic – Friday 11:30 am, Palo Verde Room 3
  • RootsMagic: Sharing and Publishing Your Family Tree – Friday 3:00 pm, Superstition South Room
  • RootsMagic: Pruning, Cleaning and Extending Your Family Tree – Saturday 8:00 am, Superstition South Room

We are also teaching two other classes which are part of the paid registration:

  • Genealogy on the Go! – Saturday 11:00 am, Palo Verde Room 3
  • Where in the World?  GPS and the Genealogist – Saturday 1:o0 pm, Palo Verde Room 3

Free Exhibit Hall Mini-Classes!

We’re continuing our tradition of teaching free RootsMagic mini-classes in the exhibit hall. These mini-classes will be about 15 minutes long and will be held at our booth during the break between the regular classes.

  • Data Clean-Up in RootsMagic 4 – Friday 12:35 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Entering Sources into RootsMagic 4 – Friday 1:05 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Writing Life Stories with Personal Historian – Friday 2:35 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Mapping Your Ancestors with Family Atlas – Friday 4:05 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Running RootsMagic from a Flash Drive – Friday 5:35 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Mapping Your Ancestors with Family Atlas – Saturday 9:05 am, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Publishing a Book with RootsMagic 4 – Saturday 10:35 am, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • RootsMagic and FamilySearch – Saturday 12:05 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Using RootsMagic’s Research Tools – Saturday 12:35 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Creating a Shareable CD with RootsMagic 4 – Saturday 2:05 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth
  • Writing Life Stories with Personal Historian – Saturday 3:35 pm, RootsMagic Exhibitor Booth

Other Classes!

Over 100 classes will be presented by industry leaders and experts from the local and national genealogical community. Products and services from genealogy companies will also be showcased in an exhibit hall where you can meet with specialists for free personal consultations on research questions or problems.

If you wish to attend the other classes, registration is just $65.00 for both days ($75 at the door) or $40.00 for a single day. Individuals who want to attend only one or two classes and visit the Exhibit Hall can register for single classes at $12.00 each.

Expo details and the class schedule are available online at: www.FHExpos.com.

Data Clean-Up in RootsMagic 4