Progeny Software announced the release of a free update to their Map My Family Tree software. This popular mapping software imports Legacy Family Tree files and produces maps of the events of your family tree.

Version 1.3 enhancements:

• Place markers to highlight certain individuals, family lines, events, etc. Select from a list of place markers of varying shapes and colors or import one or more images to use as custom place markers.

Version 1.2 enhancements:

• Automatic links to Google™ Maps, Google Earth and TerraServer USA so you can see your ancestral home towns on online maps, satellite images and aerial photographs. As with previous versions, Version 1.2 also includes an automatic link to MapQuest.com.
• Ability to print or publish your map as a PDF document.
• Time scrolling tool bar so you can dynamically select which time period is displayed on the map. As you slide the thumbtrack along the scroll bar, you will see the towns "twinkling" to show the movements, voyages and migrations of your ancestors.
• Filters to display specific people and events from your genealogy database. You can filter by name, ancestor line, descendant line, date, event type and gender.  This is especially helpful when you want to create maps with single family lines, births only, events from a specific time period, etc.

To download your free 1.3 update

1. Open the Map My Family Tree program
2. Click on Help in the top menu bar
3. Select Check for updates
4. A dialogue box will appear - click on Check for updates
5. Follow the instructions on the screen

For more information, or to purchase

Visit http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Redirect/Store-AddOns.asp

Many researchers jump right into the vast world of genealogy, but do not learn some of the fundamental pieces of the foundation.  A large part of any genealogist's foundation, is their genealogy computer program (Legacy Family Tree).  Knowing how to effectively use it, from the beginning, will ensure a solid foundation.

To help you "do it right the first time", we have created a series of training videos on CD. The goal of videos is two-fold.  First, you will learn how to use the Legacy genealogy software.  Second, and perhaps most importantly, you will learn various techniques that combine genealogy principles with your data entry.  In other words, these CDs will be full of real examples that you can apply to your own research problems.  For this reason, a CD which is produced at the beginner's level, will actually benefit users of all expertise.  These CDs are also designed to build on each other.  What you learn in the first CD will help you better understand the following CDs.  If viewed, and practiced in order, you will be able to spend less time trying to learn how to use the computer, and more time doing what you love - genealogy!

Volume 1 | 5-CD set | $32.95 | 3 1/2 hours

Legacy for Beginners. This video walks the beginning Legacy user through the basics of the program. View it free here. 48 minutes. Watch a preview. Purchase.

Your 12-Step Checklist to Using Legacy. Every Legacy user should follow these 12 steps when working with their family file. 48 minutes. Watch a preview. Purchase.

Legacy's Ultimate Guide to Sources. Genealogy without documentation is mythology. Learn all about proper source documentation. 34 minutes. Watch a preview. Purchase.

Researching with Legacy: Mastering Events and Chronologies. Learn how to properly enter and cite the documents you find. Watch a preview. Purchase.

Tagging and Searching Made Easy. Learn how to take advantage of the searching and tagging features in Legacy. Watch a preview. Purchase.

Volume 2 | 3-CD set | $24.95 | 2 1/2 hours

Creating & Sharing Perfect Reports. Become an expert in creating and sharing reports. 58 minutes. Watch a preview. Purchase.

Insider's Guide to Legacy: Tips & Tricks. Get the "insider information" about Legacy. 40 minutes. Watch a preview. Purchase.

Video Guide to Working with Digital Pictures in Legacy. Learn the "before-scanning-your-first-picture rules" and the ins/outs to using pictures in Legacy. 52 minutes. Watch a preview. Purchase.

We wish all of our Legacy users a Merry Christmas!

Happy holidays from the Legacy team: Dave, Ken, Jim, Sherry, Geoff, Luc, Brian, Pegi, and Diane.

Most genealogists begin their research without understanding the importance of documenting what they find. Adding these sources just does not seem important at the time.

Over time, most of these genealogists begin to understand the value of proper documentation, and desire to examine their family file to enter the sources they have collected.

We're often asked, "How do I create a list of ancestors for whom I have not added any sources?"

Follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Click on the View menu, click on Master Lists, and click on Source. The Master Source List appears, giving you a list of all sources that you have added.

1. Highlight all of the master sources by a) clicking on the very first source in the list (to highlight it); b) scroll to the very bottom of the list and press the shift key while clicking on the last source. This will highlight all of the sources in the list.

1. Click on the Show List button. This is the list of everyone in your family file that has a source linked to them.

1. Select a tag number at the bottom, and click on Tag Everyone in List. IMPORTANT - before you do this, follow the two rules of tagging described in the Tagging and Searching made Easy video. Watch a preview of the video here.

1. Click Close. Click Close again.

1. Click on the Search button in the main toolbar and click on the Detailed Search tab. Enter the following for the primary search condition:
   1. Look for whom: Individual
   2. Where to look: Tag x (where x is the number of the tag you used in step 4 above)
   3. How to look: Equal to
   4. What to look for: Untagged

1. Click on the Create List button, and you now have a list of everyone in your family file that has zero sources linked to them. You may wish to tag this list so you can easily work with them in the future.

'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.

And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.

He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried!  (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.

"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."

"Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family history is Fun!  Merry Christmas!  Goodnight!"

--Author Unknown

For those waiting for the 1911 census of England and Wales, you just moved up in line! The National Archives recently announced that because of the Freedom of Information Act, portions of the census will be available as early as January 2007.

If you know the address of the 1911 resident, The National Archives will offer a limited research service. They hope to offer a searchable online service in early 2009. The census in its entirety cannot be legally released until 2011.

To learn what will be available and when, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/1911census/.

Blogs are the hottest new thing in genealogy. They serve as a way of learning about genealogy, technology, and communicating research results with family. Legacy News is a blog (short for web-log).

One of our Legacy users, JL Beeken, has a new blog which focuses on genealogy technology.  Recent articles include:

RSS (if you don't know what this stands for, it's a great explanation)

EverNote (a free note-taking and note-organizing program)

PDF Printing (ideas on sharing genealogy electronically)

Since JL uses Legacy, many examples are given on how to incorporate technology with our software.

If you like technology and genealogy, JLog is definitely one to add to your RSS reader or favorites list. Visit JLog here.

Question from Gary:

I'm in the process of reviewing my entire Legacy database of individuals looking for missing information. I want to create a list of ONLY the male individuals of my surname indicated as having a spouse but no marriage information. Any ideas?

Gary, this can be done with a little creativity, and with a couple of different approaches.

Using the Search tool

In Legacy, click on the Search button. Click on the Detailed Search tab. Add the following conditions, and make sure to use the AND option for each condition.

Condition 1

• Look for whom: Marriage
• Where to look: Marriage Date
• How to look: Equal to
• What to look for: don't type in anything here, leave it blank

Condition 2

• Look for whom: Male
• Where to look: Surname
• How to look: Equal to
• What to look for: type in the name of the desired surname

Be sure that when you click on the "Second Condition" checkmark, that you select the "And" option. Now, click on the Create List button at the bottom.

You now have a list of all males of the desired surname, who are married, but do not have a marriage date.

Blank lines report

For a different perspective, you can create a book report that will print blank lines for any missing information. For example:

To create this report:

1. In Legacy 6.0 Deluxe, first navigate to the desired family.
2. Click on the Reports icon at the top. Click on the Books/Other tab.
3. Under the Book Reports section, click on the Ancestors or Descendants button.
4. On the Options tab, make sure that the Insert Underlines options are selected (see image below).
5. Print or preview.

Question from William:

I have entries where a male and female produced a son. The couple never considered themselves to be "wife" and "husband" and would not want to be displayed that way, even in private reports for their own records. Is there a way to specify non-traditional pairing terms in any or all "views" and reports?

Answer from Legacy Family Tree:

Yes, Legacy has custom wording options to accommodate these situations. From the Family View, open the Marriage Information screen by clicking on the marriage bar in the middle.

In the upper part of the screen is a Tab entitled "Wording Options." If this couple was not husband and wife, simply change their labels here. For example, instead of husband/wife, change it to father/mother. When you're finished, click Save.

This customized wording applies only to this couple. When you print reports, such as the Family Group Record, select the option to "Use the phrases from the marriage records." This option is found on Family tab of the reports.

See your ancestors' lives on a map with this new one-of-a-kind mapping software.

Map My Family Tree™ is a revolutionary genealogy mapping product that presents your ancestors’ lives on a map.  Map My Family Tree reads your Legacy Family Tree file directly and automatically plots all ancestral life events on customizable color maps.  This allows you to see where your ancestors were born, married and died.

Track family migrations using the world and country maps.  Then zoom into any part of the world to see detailed events in that particular location. 

You can choose from 15 different map styles included with the software or customize your maps with over 16-million colors and a wide range of font styles and sizes.

Print your maps on a wide variety of paper sizes and/or electronically publish them to display on websites or email to family and friends.

Click here to see screen shots showing how Map My Family Tree works.

Additional Features

Very easy to use, Map My Family Tree is rich with user-friendly features to help you better trace your ancestors’ lives. These features include:

• Automatic links to Google™ Maps, Google Earth,  TerraServer USA and MapQuest.com so you can see your ancestral home towns on online maps, satellite images and aerial photographs.
• Ability to print or publish your map in a variety of electronic formats, including PDF, JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG and TIFF.
• Time scrolling tool bar so you can dynamically select which time period is displayed on the map. As you slide the thumbtrack along the scroll bar, you will see the towns "twinkling" to show the movements, voyages and migrations of your ancestors.
• Filters to display specific people and events from your genealogy database. You can filter by name, ancestor line, descendant line, date, event type and gender. This is especially helpful when you want to create maps with single family lines, births only, events from a specific time period, etc.
• Place Markers to highlight certain individuals, family lines, events, etc.  Select from a list of place markers of varying shapes and colors or import one or more images to use as custom place markers.

Automatically Check Your Place Names
Map My Family Tree also automatically checks your genealogy database for place name typos, missing counties and other inaccuracies.  You may then copy and paste corrections to your genealogy file.

Plus you can look up over 3.3-million place names from around the world, including over 100,000 US churches and cemeteries.  This is especially helpful when you’re not sure how to spell Great Grandma’s home town or know which county she lived in.

Reads Your Genealogy File Directly
Map My Family Tree reads your Legacy family file directly, so you do not have to import a GEDCOM.

Order Your Copy Today
Priced at only $39.95 US, Map My Family Tree is available only on CD-ROM due to the very large database of place names.  Click here to place your order.

A must-have for any novice and experienced genealogist, Map My Family Tree is an incredibly useful program to see your ancestors’ lives in an entirely new way.  Life is a journey - and now with Map My Family Tree you can trace your ancestors’ journeys and gain a whole new perspective of your family history.