It’s our 30th birthday, but you’re getting the presents!  Whether you’ve been a part of the RootsMagic family for 30 years or 30 minutes, we want to hear your story! Tell us about the time you “first felt the magic”- that is, the moment you fell in love with our software. Just fill out this entry form by Monday, October 31, 2016.

The five (5) best stories, as judged by RootsMagic staff, will be placed online from Wednesday, November 2 through Wednesday, November 9, 2016 where the public will be able to vote for their pick of the best story.

Results will be announced on Friday, November 11, 2016. The person who submitted the story with the most votes will receive a SHOTBOX Photography Light Box Deluxe Bundle, and autographed copies of RootsMagic and Personal Historian bundles (over $250 retail value). The four (4) runner-ups will all receive autographed copies of RootsMagic and Personal Historian bundles (retail value $79.90).

Don’t forget, you have until Monday, October 31 to submit your entries at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RootsMagic30. Good luck!

One of the biggest new features in RootsMagic 7 is our amazing WebHints™. RootsMagic automatically searches your favorite genealogy record sites including FamilySearch and MyHeritage for possible matches to your data. As matches are found, a light bulb appears next to each person’s name. Clicking on the light bulb opens up a web browser with the matching records (some records may require a subscription).

RootsMagic is the first software to search multiple providers for matching records. And with today’s update (7.2), we are excited to welcome Findmypast to our WebHints!

Findmypast is a British-owned world leader in online genealogy. They have over 4 billion historical records from around the world with more being added every week. With more than 1,000 exclusive collections, Findmypast has records which you just won’t find anywhere else.

Personally, almost all of my ancestral lines go back to England and Scotland. So Findmypast’s 1 billion records from the British Isles are especially valuable to me including their collection of more than 182 million historic British and Irish newspaper articles, ship passenger lists, and over 30 million exclusive parish records. Having these records at my fingertips from inside of RootsMagic has opened up a whole new world for my research!

Special Offer

To celebrate this announcement, Findmypast is offering RootsMagic users a 12-month World subscription with a 20% discount. So now is the perfect time to play around with RootsMagic and Findmypast and see how they can benefit your family history. To get your discount, visit http://www.findmypast.com/rootsmagic-launch. Better hurry- this offer is only good through Thursday, May 19, 2016.

So could your research use a boost? Then get the latest update to RootsMagic 7 and put the power of our WebHints to work for you today!

Questions and Answers

How do I get this update?

If you already have RootsMagic 7 or our free RootsMagic Essentials, you can download and install the update by selecting Help > Check for Updates from the RootsMagic main menu. You may also download the update manually here.

If you don’t have RootsMagic or use a version earlier than 7, you may try RootsMagic Essentials for free and purchase the upgrade at any time.

How do I enable RootsMagic WebHints for Findmypast?

If WebHints are enabled in your file, RootsMagic will begin searching Findmypast as soon as the update is installed. If WebHints are not enabled in your file, you may turn them on (or off) by selecting Tools > File Options > WebHints from the main menu.

Do I need a Findmypast subscription to view the records?

RootsMagic can search Findmypast for records matching your ancestors and display WebHints without a Findmypast account. To view records, you will need a Findmypast subscription.

What does the new green dot on a light bulb mean?

As we’ve added more providers to our WebHints, we’ve had requests for a way to know when all of the providers have been searched. The green dot means that RootsMagic is still searching for hints. When it disappears, it means that all possible hints are now available for that person.

Direct Family Tree Maker Import is Here!

Since Ancestry’s announcement that they were parting ways with their Family Tree Maker software, thousands of FTM users have found a new home in RootsMagic. One of the first questions they have is, “How do I get my data from FTM into RootsMagic?”

Until today, the answer has always been through a GEDCOM file. But GEDCOM files from Family Tree Maker, while mostly effective, were often lacking data and details only found in the original file. Plus it added an extra step in the conversion process.

That’s why we’re excited to announce today’s release of RootsMagic 7.1. In addition to various tweaks and fixes, this update adds the ability to directly import any Family Tree Maker file.

And by “any” Family Tree Maker file, we really mean it. RootsMagic can directly import:

• Family Tree Maker 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 for Windows (*.ftm, *.ftmb)
• Family Tree Maker 3 for Mac (*.ftm, *.ftmb)
• Family Tree Maker 2010 and 2012 for Mac (*.ftmm, *.ftmd)
• Classic Family Tree Maker Files (*.ftw)

In fact, RootsMagic can import a bigger variety of Family Tree Maker files than any single version of Family Tree Maker itself.

Doing the Import

1. You’ll first need to have the latest release of RootsMagic. If you’re using RootsMagic 7, simply choose Help > Check for Updates from the main menu to download and install the update.
2. After the update is installed, select File > Import from the main menu. You’ll then see a list of different programs and formats from which you may import.
3. Choose Family Tree Maker (FTM) from the list. Click Search for files to search your computer for all FTM files or I know where the file is to browse your computer and select the FTM database or backup file to import.
4. Choose a filename, location, and options for your new RootsMagic file. Click OK to begin the import.
5. Watch the progress screen as RootsMagic brings all your data into your new file!

It’s Your Data- Set it Free!

Most people are concerned about preserving and archiving their family history for future generations. With the constant advance of computer technology, computer software and operating systems are born and die everyday- sometimes leaving their data unreadable and with no way to advance it to current technology. This can happen with genealogy software and data as well- especially if they rely on proprietary or encrypted file formats.

Because it is your data, when you import your data into RootsMagic, your data is in great shape for long-term archival because:

1. Your RootsMagic data are stored in SQLite database files. SQLite is the most widely deployed database engine in the world. It’s open-source and widely available meaning that other software can easily open and read your data. And because SQLite is so wide-spread, it is more likely to be readable for years to come.
2. Your RootsMagic data are not encrypted. Family Tree Maker files are encrypted preventing anyone who doesn’t know the encryption key from being able to read or access the data.

The First Step

Directly importing Family Tree Maker files is the first step in our recently-announced working relationship with Ancestry. Stay tuned for the ability to search Ancestry’s trees and records and to download and synchronize them into your RootsMagic file.

Special Upgrade Offer

To help FTM users make the leap to RootsMagic, we’ve set-up a special website at www.FTMUpgrade.com that includes training videos, testimonials, and more.  And for a limited time, we are offering Family Tree Maker users the full-version of RootsMagic for the amazing low price of only $20. If you choose the download option, we will also include the PDF book, “Getting the Most out of RootsMagic” absolutely free (a $14.95 value).  You must visit www.FTMUpgrade.com to receive the discount.

 

We’re just one short week away from the largest genealogy event in the world: RootsTech! It’s being held Thursday, February 4 through Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’ve been a part of it since the beginning and this year is no exception.

Expo Hall

Don’t miss the free expo hall with the largest gathering of genealogy products and services in the country. Be sure to visit the RootsMagic booth (#635, next to the Cyber Cafe) to meet the RootsMagic staff, ask questions, and get special discounts on RootsMagic products.

Expo Hall hours (subject to change) are:

• Thursday, February 4, 2016, 10 am – 6 pm
• Friday, February 5, 2016, 10 am – 7 pm
• Saturday, February 6, 2016, 10 am – 5 pm

And while you’re there, stop off at the Cyber Cafe conveniently located right next to us and help yourself to wireless Internet access, recharging stations for electronic devices, and refreshing beverages!

RootsMagic Buttons and Prize Patrol

We always like to have a little fun at RootsTech and this year, we are excited to introduce our new RootsMagic Buttons and the return of the RootsMagic Prize Patrol.

Here’s how it works:

1. Stop by the RootsMagic booth (#635) in the Expo Hall and pick up your free RootsMagic button.
2. Wear the button someplace visible on your person.
3. Throughout the RootsTech conference, the RootsMagic Prize Patrol will be hanging out in a random spot. The first person they see wearing a RootsMagic button wins a prize!

Prizes include RootsMagic software, bags, books, flash drives, Amazon gift cards, and more! So make your first stop at RootsTech the RootsMagic booth (#635), pick up your button, and wear it with pride. You could win some pretty cool stuff!

Welcome to 2016! With the new year, we in the RootsMagic underground labs like to take a little break and reflect on all that has happened this past year. It’s been an eventful year for us full of loss and growth. Join us for this look back at what has happened in the RootsMagic world during 2015.

Loss in the RootsMagic Family

2015 started out on a sad note. Gordon Dixon Booth passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. Gordon is the father of Michael Booth, our vice-president, and a valued member of the RootsMagic family. He was passionate about family history, loved talking to people about our software, and was one of our best salespersons! He also became a popular presenter at conferences teaching classes on British research, photography, and personal histories. You can learn more about Gordon and his contributions in this tribute article.

Conferences and Classes

In 2015, we attended many genealogical events. The first and the biggest was RootsTech. At RootsTech, we introduced badge ribbons and gave away prizes through our Prize Patrol.

We also attended conferences across the country where we taught classes, answered questions, and met face-to-face with fellow users.

User Groups and Magic Guides

We know that one of the reasons our loyal users love RootsMagic so much is that no other genealogy software provides the level of support and training that we do.  Over the past four years, we have pioneered the use of “webinars“, tutorial videos, and weekly tip articles.

Different people learn in different ways. We’ve had many requests for written tutorials in addition to our videos. In 2015, we’ve added free “Magic Guides” to our many sources of support. Magic Guides are free, downloadable and printable handouts that cover a variety of topics.

In 2015, we also created an online RootsMagic User Group and a Personal Historian User Group on Facebook. These groups are where you can connect with other RootsMagic users to ask questions, share ideas, and discuss how to use the software.

Since their creation, over 7000 people have joined these groups, and they have taken on lives of their own where users support each other.

Windows 10

One of the biggest stories in the technology world was Microsoft’s release of Windows 10. Since it was a free update to most users of Windows 7 or higher, many people took the leap and upgraded. With some planning and testing on our part, all our products were prepared for Windows 10 on its day of release. In spite of a last-minute change on Microsoft’s part that caused a few headaches, the upgrade went smoothly for most of our customers. No small feat considering the size and scope of the changes in Windows 10.

RootsMagic and Personal Historian for Mac

In 2014, we announced “MacBridge”, an add-on purchase that allowed you to run RootsMagic on your Mac without Windows. In 2015, we did away with the separate purchase and consolidated it into “RootsMagic 7 for Mac“. So now, one purchase of RootsMagic lets you run it on either Windows or Mac, no additional purchases or licenses required. Even our free “RootsMagic Essentials” is now available for Mac.

But we didn’t stop there. We also released “Personal Historian 2 for Mac“. Just like RootsMagic, one purchase of Personal Historian covers both Windows and Mac operating systems, as well as the free “Personal Historian Essentials”.

Personal Historian Book

On November 24, we released the long-awaited companion book to our Personal Historian software. For years, we have been asked if there was a printed book to go along with our personal history writing software. We were excited to be finally able to say, “yes.” We’re especially pleased to see how well you all have received the book and how it is helping our you get the most out of the software.

Don’t forget, for a very limited time, the book is still available at the discounted price of only $7.95 (plus shipping). That’s nearly half-off its regular price of $14.95. Simply visit our website and add it to your cart to receive the discount.

A New Home for Family Tree Maker® Users

On December 8, Ancestry.com announced that they would be retiring their “Family Tree Maker®” (FTM) genealogy software. RootsMagic immediately welcomed Family Tree Maker users with a special upgrade offer as well as videos and written tutorials on how to make the transition. We’ve even released updates to RootsMagic to better support FTM’s unique GEDCOM files to make the transition ever smoother.

Since then, thousands of Family Tree Maker users have made the switch to RootsMagic. And the feedback has been tremendous.

“Every day I am finding new features in this software that makes me grateful Ancestry made their announcement that drove us all to seek alternatives to FTM. Have you even SEEN what DataClean can do? And here I was thinking I would have to manually fix all these things record by record…..and I didn’t even know about the website feature….feels like Christmas around here!” – Anni

“So far, in 1 weeks time, I have to say, Better service. Being with FTM since the 90’s, I NEVER remember users indicating an issue, and then an update to fix those issues being put out there in a matter of about 5 days.class than actually after gathering the issues. THATS service! I also don’t remember putting any kind of post, forums included, and having the top guys in the company reply usually in less than a couple hours That’s even Better service!” – Danielle

If you’re a Family Tree Maker refugee and still haven’t made the switch, be sure to take advantage of our special upgrade offer for FTM users.

 Awards

With the end of each year come awards. We’re pleased to have won the GeneAward for “Best Genealogy Product of 2015” for the 7th year in a row. As the reviewer put it,

“I hate to say that RootsMagic is still the overall best genealogy application. I hate to say that, because I’d like to see some other vendors close the gap and give them some serious competition.”

UPDATE: We’ve also received the “Top Rated Genealogy Software” award from GenSoftReviews Users’ Choice Awards. This award is also one that we’ve received for the 7th year in a row. This award is based on reviews submitted by actual users of genealogy software. The glowing reviews on the page speak for themselves.

Thank You!

I know we say this every year, but we mean it when we say that none of this would have been possible without you and your support.  We are grateful for the wonderful feedback, enthusiasm, and encouragement that we receive from our community.  We hope that our work is deserving of your trust and support. 2015 has been an amazing year for us thanks to you, and we’re working hard to make 2016 even better!

In a blog posting today, Ancestry.com announced the retirement of its Family Tree Maker® (FTM) genealogy software.

“True to this focus, we’ve taken a hard look at the declining desktop software market and the impact this has on being able to continue to provide product enhancements and support that our users need. With that, we’ve made the decision to stop selling Family Tree Maker as of December 31, 2015.”

Family Tree Maker support and online features will continue through the coming year. During this “sunset period”, many Family Tree Maker users will want to transfer their data into another desktop application that is actively being developed and updated such as RootsMagic.

We understand that change isn’t easy, so we’ve worked hard at putting together some new tools and supports to make the transition to RootsMagic as painless as possible for Family Tree Maker users.

A New Home

Over the past few years, thousands of Family Tree Maker users have made the switch to RootsMagic.  They’ve enjoyed its amazing new features such as color coding, Problem Alerts, Shareable CD’s, running straight off of a flash drive, FamilySearch integration, DataClean, multi-provider WebHints, Mac and Windows versions with a single license, and more!

But don’t take our word for it.  Here’s what some of our satisfied-switches have had to say:

“Had [Family Tree Maker] for years, did a couple of upgrades, but switched to RM, imported my FTM database and never looked back. I’m a happy camper!” — Paul

“I think you will find that RootsMagic has a much easier and more complete data entry than FTM. I have tried FTM several years ago and RM was so much more logical in data entry and report generations.” — Keith

“I used [Family Tree Maker] on and off for years. Every time I would try to get serious about citing my sources I would get so frustrated with the software I would just give up. I finally got smart and started to look around for a more user-friendly program and found RootsMagic. I love it! I am now methodically transferring all my data from FTM to RM and citing everything as I go with more confidence and less frustration!” — Kathy

“I’m all Mac and switched [from Family Tree Maker] back in Feb 2015. So glad I did.”— Sondra

Update Discount for Family Tree Maker Users

To make the transition as painless as possible, we’ve set-up a special website at www.FTMUpgrade.com that includes training videos, testimonials, and more.  And for a limited time, we are offering Family Tree Maker users the full-version of RootsMagic for the amazing low price of only $20. If you choose the download option, we will also include the PDF book, “Getting the Most out of RootsMagic” absolutely free (a $14.95 value).  You must visit www.FTMUpgrade.com to receive the discount.

Of course, we also offer a free version of RootsMagic named RootsMagic Essentials that offers basic capabilities for those who are just beginning their genealogy journey.

Free Videos and Magic Guides

We’ve also put together special videos and printable “Magic Guides” to help you with the transition.  We encourage our users to download these guides and freely share them with any Family Tree Maker users who may benefit from them.

• Importing Family Tree Maker (2008 – 2014) Files into RootsMagic (Video)  (Printable Guide)
• Importing Family Tree Maker (2006 and Older) into RootsMagic (Video)  (Printable Guide)

We’re Here to Help

If you’re a Family Tree Maker user, we understand that change isn’t easy. But with a little of your time and a little help from us, you’ll be just as comfortable with RootsMagic as you were with Family Tree Maker.

UPDATE: Good news! Ancestry and RootsMagic have entered into a partnership to bring the Ancestry integration features to RootsMagic. See here for more details.