The Elvidge Family

For those getting to grips with adding their existing family history to the new.familysearch I thought I would review the current options for adding and synching your genealogy research. There are certainly better ways of managing you data - so here are the options for using New.Familysearch.

Option 1: Export your data to Gedcom file and import it MANUALLY
Option 2: Synchronise PAF and New.familysearch using Family-Insight
Option 3: Use Ancestral Quest to manage your data on your PC and also online
Option 4: Use Roots Magic to manage your data on your PC and also online

Option 1 - Manually uploading files

This has to be the least tidy method if you have anything more than say 30 names where it becomes impossible to manually check each name to make sure you are not uploading a duplicate onto the new.familysearch. Unfortunately, this method is creating large numbers of duplicate files in the on-line repository that need merging. I agreed to help my dad merge some of our family names and it was a very long and laborious task, which takes about 3 hours for 20-30 names (depending on how many matches there are). It also showed me how difficult new.familysearch is to navigation around your family tree so I feel a local copy is needed on your PC.

Option 2 - Use PAF on your desktop and sychronise using Family Insight ($25)

I have come to appreciate the work of Ohana Software and used PAF Insight before to do a number of automated data cleaning tasks so I naturally tried a test version of the new family insight version which opens your PAF file for you and then sychronises data online. Changes are written to your PAF file and you still use PAF to review your data on your PC. This is perhaps the problem with this method; PAF is not user friendly and is old to navigate around. It does not utilise the large resolution possibilities of even quite old PCs.
Navigation:Opening the program and starting is very easy, but the Family Insight screen takes some getting used to. Matching and searching is based on individuals with the possibility to view families and trees.
Synching: Logging in was easy and the program quickly checks the internet for matches. The latest version has speeded up the process with 'simple' or 'full' synch methods. You can also upload your PAF Temple ready list. Searching: There is no facility to search for new individuals online.
Prepare LDS Ordinances: You still use your PAF program and then upload details using family insight.
Back-up/Transfer: As this maintains your PAF file, you can easily copy and share this file with friends and family and they can view the file for free using PAF 5.
Bugs/Errors: Family Insight is well supported with updates and improvements coming through and works well. One annoying feature is it does not update an individual when a relative is updated and you need to re-search and update that individual again to remove a 'broken link' symbol.
Summary: Family Insight is a great tool kit that I have used in many ways to tidy my genealogy. You can merge and correct place-names and search for duplicates in your PAF file. The synching ability is good, but a little fiddly as you scroll through names. The main problem does not lie with Family Insight but the outdated program it is keeping us using - namely PAF - which has very limited functionality. PAF users have to add additional programs to print, merge, produce decent web pages, etc.. If you say 'long live PAF' this could be for you.

Option 3 - Use Ancestral Quest to do everything for you ($29.95)

Ancestral Quest is one of two approved commercial programs that fully manage your PC genealogy as well as manage new.familysearch. The neat little trick Ancestral Quest have done is allowing you to still keep your PAF file but no longer need to use PAF 5 as Ancestral Quest does everything and more. This means you can start using it immediately and go back to PAF 5 (in the unlikely event!)
Navigation: You might be mistaken to thinking you're using PAF. The layout is nearly exactly the same, with a few modifications and improvements. PAF users will feel right at home.
Synching: Do not let the simple view fool you to thinking this is not a powerful program. Synching with familysearch is very comprehensive, so you can either synchronise individually and at the same time view relatives, as well as batch synchronising (I was a bit nervous of this feature) Searching: You can search Ancestry.com directly (opens in new browser window)
Prepare LDS Ordinances: This feature is not yet available in the program and the website states it will come soon in a future release. Until then you will need to log-onto New.Familysearch.
Back-up/Transfer: You have the option to keep using the PAF file so you are always able to share this. There is also a collaboration feature so you can have an online version that family can access with their version of Ancestral Quest (separate license required).
Bugs/Errors: No issues when using. You currently cannot upload your 'source' data to new.familysearch.
Summary: If you are a long-time PAF user, you will feel very at-home. Plus additional tools such as the ability to view Mapquest maps of places and a better to-do list. This is a PRACTICAL alternative that will make synching much easier than any of the above options. The interface is tired and PAF like - but that will suit a lot of old PAF users.

Option 4 - Use Roots Magic to do everything for you ($29.95)

The other alternative is to use another dedicated program. Roots Magic can import your PAF file in seconds to create a new tree, but you will be leaving PAF behind....are you brave enough? It's interface is much more 'windows' like with colours and icons.
Navigation: You immediately feel the advantage of a new program, getting around your family tree is very easy. It feels more modern and more is fitted on the page for higher resolution screens.
Synching: As the interface is so 'new' it is best to view the tutorial video first - then it all seems to make sense. Very clever screen usage that allows you to manage your local AND online data. you can also merge family data at the same time. I could not see a way of 'bulk' synching, but I would advise against that anyway. Searching: From inside the program, there is a tab for searching a number of different repositories (including Ancestry.com). The program also auto-checks for duplicates as you enter them.
Prepare LDS Ordinances: This is another area where this program stands out (at the moment) as you can reserve ordinances and these are uploaded for you. It also has a great summary screen for new.familysearch data.
Back-up/Transfer: Here is the small drawback (in my view) that Roots-Magic uses its own database file and if you want to re-enter data into PAF you need to export a Gedcom file. However, this is unlikely to happen as you have everything and more in one proigram. When you close the program, you are prompted to create a backup file. A great feature it has is that you can create CDs or USB pen drive versions of the data that you can share with family/friends. This gives them a read-only version of the program & data. The program can also produce some good web pages.
Bugs/Errors: When I enter the synchronisation mode, I get a system error, but then after this all seems to work just fine. I checked to make sure things were still working - and they were. It was just a bit off-putting!
Summary: With a modern interface and a number of powerful tools, this could be a move into the 20th century (maybe not the 21st yet!). I liked the 'problem search' tool that looks for gaps in data and possible errors. It also has the ability to merge duplicates and work with place-names like Family Insight does. It has an integrated to-do list and a number of printing/ reports options. For PAF users, the learning curve might be steeper, but the benefits might be worth it.

Conclusion

I would recommend that you review the basic tutorial videos from both Ancestral Quest (link) and Roots Magic (link) and make your own decision as to which will best suit you. Both are very powerful and will make working with New.Familysearch much faster and more productive. For now, Roots Magic 4 has additional tools such as submitting ordinances from the program that help to tip the scales and I think I will be giving it a go.