Genealogy Chat

If anyone has ever thought of keeping some sort of a diary to pass down through the generations. I have just been pondering lately and thinking about how little was left to my family in the way of photos, letters, diaries, anything really ! about previous generations. I just thought it would be very nice for someone to have something about my family and the times we lived in. However, how would you go about preserving such a thing ? Comments welcome ! Cheers Marie x

Well, this is the sort of thing you can do on a family treemaker program - you can produce books/reports etc. You can create your own home page free with all that info on the net and keep access exlusive to your family/relatives.

I know PosPauline is right - but I reckon the real way to go is to print it all out (one at least for each of the next generation) onto Archive grade paper (guaranteed for hundreds of years I believe) as well as having it on a computer!! Nothing like having something you can HOLD - and take to bed. Now I'm showing my age! Victoria

You can print out anything from the family tree maker to have and to hold! Its just nice to think that hopefully the internet will be there for longer than paper. You can add photos, video clips etc. If you need any help with producing a book or reports on ftm, pop over to family tree forum where there is a dedicated board for questions on it. I dont think ftm2005 has that facility - only 2006 onwards - if I were you Id pre order the 2008 ftm for £19.99 from twr computing - its available next month and has even more goodies on it apparently., including automatic mapping of your ancestors. The 19.99 program will upgrade your 2005 automatically.

Oops, didn't realise you could do that Heather ! I've got FTM05, off to have a proper browse at it now ! Marie x

Just had a quick look and the 'create a book' facility is on it ! Wow, must confess I haven't looked at this properly since buying it, only to had my ancestors to my tree really. Although I think I will definitely look into buying the 2008 version. Thanks again xx

Definitely think it is worth having something on paper as well though Victoria, thanks for your comments x

Theres an enormous amount you can do - but I think 2005 is a bit limited, think about the updating to 2008. I quite like the idea of a automatic mapping facility that will show where your ancestors were born. Come over to Family Tree Forum, Glen Tinsel Knickers is the real pro on making books, videos etc. on the family tree maker.

Quite a few of the tree programmes have print capabilities with/without pics etc etc etc. PAF you need to buy a $6 add on for fancy prints. One big plus for prints. In 30 years time (assuming you have not used mucho cheapo ink) you wil lbe able to read them. Computer stuff will be in such different format that unless you and your descendents have updated it might as well not exists. Only a couple of days ago I read the National Archives are having problems with info digitised a few of decades ago! Clive

That is my fear too Clive. I used to work in a government department and although some of the data was 'brought over' to the different programmes as they were introduced - there appears to be a limit to how often you can do that before the corruption prevents opening the documents. And if they DO open - just a jumble of symbols. Now paper ~~~~~~~~!! Victoria

I know I am a dinosaur, but I keep nothing on the computer. I like to read in bed, carting a darn great computer into bed is not my way of relaxing lol lol Kathlyn

The point being,with ftm you can save it many ways - belt and braces - keep it on disc, on the computer, on the internet or print it out!