You might have a brick wall if your difficult research problem is similar to the following.

At a recent conference a student showed me her family group record of a family she had trouble with for many years. Her ancestor, John WILLIAMS, was born in:

Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut in 1712.

Because I too, had ancestors from the area, I knew immediately what the problem was. I quickly opened the AniMap software, plotted Woodstock on the map of Connecticut, and changed the year to 1712. Immediately, we knew why the brick wall had existed for so long.

In 1712, Woodstock was in a completely different county AND a completely different state!

Her family group record should have recorded his birth as:

Woodstock, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Knowing the correct jurisdiction for the time period is vital to successful research. AniMap is the only software for the U.S. and Canada in which you can plot the place and see the changing county boundaries throughout time.

Watch a video of AniMap's features

Click here to view a brief introductory video of AniMap.

Purchase AniMap

Click here for more information or to purchase.

Click to view Woodstock in 1712:

Click to view Woodstock today:

Create amazing timeline charts - Genelines for Legacy gives you a suite of seven distinctive, fully customizable timeline charts. These eye-catching charts are created from two sources - your Legacy database and an extensive library of history files - to illustrate your family lines along with any fascinating facts and interesting events you've found in the course of your research. No other software or printed materials currently available can provide the same ancestral snapshots as these timeline charts.

• Individual Biographical Chart
• Comparative Biographical Chart
• Pedigree Chart
• Direct Line Chart
• Family Group Chart
• Fan Chart
• Full Descendant Chart

Share family stories - With Genelines 2.0 for Legacy, sharing your family stories has never been easier! Print your charts on any size paper, including large wall charts. Or, publish your charts in PDF format to easily share them with family and friends. You can even insert your charts into word processing documents and web pages.

Enhance your research - The unique way in which Genelines timeline charts present your data can lead you into many new avenues of research. By comparing the lives of two or more people, or determining who was alive when an important event occurred, your research efforts will be focused like never before. Genelines charts also help you to identify and expose missing, illogical or contradictory data that will only improve the quality of your research.

Compatible with Legacy Family Tree - Designed for use with Legacy Family Tree versions 3, 4, 5 and 6, Genelines for Legacy will read your Legacy file directly so no data entry nor GEDCOM import is required. Genelines for Legacy also reads GEDCOM files.

Free Timelines - Download free historical timelines for use with your Genelines 2.0 for Legacy. There are over 80 timelines to choose from.

Sample Charts - Click here to view sample charts.

Purchasing - Click here for more information or to purchase. Only $19.95!

When talking about your computer and the Legacy Family Tree program with other users or Support, it’s good to know some of the “lingo.”  The most frequently misuse of words heard in Technical Support is when someone says “merge” for “import”; or “download” for “install from CD” or “download” for “copy” to a jump drive or a CD.  Knowing proper terminology will help you tell others more clearly about your computer as well as help others to communicate with you.

Back Up. To make a copy of your Legacy family file.  This can be used for archive purposes or for sending a copy of your information to a fellow researcher or family member.  It may also be used to send to Support when requested.  Multimedia files can also be backed up.

Backup. A compressed copy of a Legacy family file and/or the multimedia files (pictures, sound bites and video clips) linked to a family file. A Legacy backup file has a .zip extension.

Download. The process of transferring files from another computer on a network or the Internet “down” to a user’s computer. It is also used to describe the transfer of photos from a camera memory card to a computer.

Export.  To save data in a form that another program can read. For example, to export your Legacy family file information as a GEDCOM file for use in a different genealogy program like PAF. (Click on File > Export To for a menu of export options.)

Extension. The one to three characters after the period (dot) in a filename. The extension tells the computer and the programs installed on it what the file is. For example, the .exe extension tells a computer that a file is an executable file (a program). The .ged extension tells a genealogy program that the file is a GEDCOM file. The .fdb extension indicates that the file is a family database (a Legacy family file).

Family File. The database file that contains genealogical information about individuals and families. A Legacy family file has an .fdb extension. A Legacy family file is opened in the Legacy program.

File.  A computer file is similar to a paper document holding related information or instructions. For example, each computer file is stored as a specific unit, designated by its own filename and extension. There are family files (e.g. sample.fdb), program files (e.g. legacy.exe), picture files (e.g. asabrown.jpg), backup files (e.g. sample.zip), etc.

Folder. A grouping of files, similar to a file folder in your filing cabinet. C:\Legacy is a folder. A folder is sometimes called a directory.

GEDCOM. Genealogical Data Communications.  A file format standard for use in transferring genealogical information from one program to another.

Import. The process of transferring data from one genealogy application to another. For example, to import a GEDCOM file created in Family Tree Maker into Legacy Family Tree. (Click on File > Import From for a menu of import options.)

Install. To set up or load and configure a program from an installation CD or from a setup file downloaded from the Internet.

Merge. Combining duplicate records within a family file. If there are two or more records for the same individual within your family file, merging will combine their information into one record.

Program. A computer application or software that performs specific functions and tasks. Legacy Family Tree is an example of a genealogy program.

Root Folder or Directory. The lowest level on a device like a hard drive or CD where files and folders are stored. For example the Root folder for the C drive is C:\.

Sub-folder. A secondary folder inside or “nested” within another folder.  The Data folder under C:\Legacy is a sub-folder. A sub-folder is sometimes called a sub-directory.

Uninstall. To properly remove a program from the computer. This is usually done via the program's own uninstall utility, or by using Add/Remove in Control Panel.

Upload.  To transfer a file from a desktop computer to another computer on a network or “up” to a web server.

Question from Jim:

After entering a wife and children, I found that there was an earlier wife and children. When I added that wife and printed a descendant list, the wives are listed in the order in which I entered them rather than in chronological order. How do I get them in chronological order in the list?

Answer from Millennia:

With your subject line of "Reordering Wives" I initially thought that you wanted to place an order for a new one. :)

Follow these instructions to change the order of marriages:

1. In the Family View, click on the person's Spouse Icon, or click on View > Spouse List.
2. Click on the Sort button on the right. Note: all marriages with no marriage dates are sorted to the top and the remaining are displayed in date order.
3. If you still need to change the order, highlight the spouse you want moved, then click the up or down button in the lower right corner of the window until he/she is in the right position.

The new Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) software has taken web surfing to a higher level. Microsoft's newest web browser has been available for a couple of months now, and comes with its new operating system, Windows Vista.

My favorite feature of this new browser software is the tabbed browsing. Prior to IE7, to view multiple web pages at once, you either had to open Internet Explorer multiple times, or use a different browser like FireFox.

The image below (click for larger image) shows a small portion of the new IE7 browser. It currently displays the LegacyFamilyTree.com site. To open another site at the same time, simply click on the button next to the main tab. This will open a new web site where you can type in a different web address (www.familysearch.org for example). Now, to switch back and forth between the two web sites, all you have to do is click on the tabs. No more ALT-tabbing, minimizing, or resizing windows to view multiple sites.

To see which version of Internet Explorer you are using, with it open, click on the Help menu, and click on About.

For an overview of the new browser software, click here. The link also contains a list of helpful keyboard shortcuts.

Baptized before birth? Buried before death? Born 100 years after parents were married? Legacy Family Tree's Potential Problems report can check your family tree for these kind of mistakes.

Just click on Tools > Potential Problems, select your options, and click on Create Problems List.

from www.familyrootsradio.com:

ProGenealogists, Inc. and Genealogy Today announced the launch “Family Roots Radio,” an Internet radio show devoted to the widely popular pursuit of genealogy and family history. This weekly, hour-long radio show will begin airing each Thursday at 1pm Pacific (4pm Eastern) beginning February 8, 2007 on Modavox’s VoiceAmerica™ Channel (www.voice.voiceamerica.com), the nation’s leading Internet radio provider.

Hosted by well-known genealogical author, speaker and researcher, Kory L. Meyerink, the show will feature a wide range of “how-to” elements designed to assist all people interested in family history, from the novice to the professional. In addition to answering general questions from listeners, spotlighting important family history news and providing research tips from professionals, the show will include guests from among the most prominent genealogists today. The show will also explore effective ways to use software and the Internet in the pursuit of family history, including spotlighting data-rich websites. In addition, an “interactive” feature will walk listeners through the use of important sites, while they are listening to the broadcast.

“The value of the Internet for genealogical research today cannot be over-emphasized,” according to Meyerink. “The growing number of genealogical sites online, along with the explosion of content on the web makes it crucial for all family historians to more effectively use this key resource. An Internet radio show is simply the best way to provide that information. Users can log onto the show live, or anytime after the broadcast and listen at their leisure. Since they’ll be listening on-line, we’ll have the chance to walk them through the sites and concepts we discuss in each show.”

“Family Roots Radio” will be broadcast on the popular VoiceAmerica Channel, accessible by anyone having an Internet connection with audio capabilities. The addition of an interactive website and downloadable archives of past shows will provide many more listener options than available via traditional radio broadcasts. To listen to the show live, log on to the VoiceAmerica Channel at www.voice.voiceamerica.com. Kory will take calls toll free at 1-866-472-5788. All past shows will be archived and available in MP3 format for podcast download.

Natalie Cottrill, CEO of ProGenealogists, Inc. explained, “We have long wanted to find a new and unique way to share the tremendous expertise that exists among our staff and researchers, and to reach out to the broader genealogical community. We also wanted the ability to tap the expertise of the entire professional genealogical community so the typical family historian can get to know the wonderful people who contribute so much to this important and engaging activity. We appreciate VoiceAmerica for giving us that opportunity.”

To help with the publicity and content of “Family Roots Radio,” Cottrill and her team at ProGenealogists turned to their long time friend and colleague, Illya D’Addezio, owner of “Genealogy Today” a popular web site for family history news, data and information. “I am excited about this project, and have been from the day Natalie first talked to me about it. Both the content and audience of “Family Roots Radio” fits very well with the demographic of our site visitors at “Genealogy Today” and our affiliated web sites. This will give us the opportunity to broaden our user base, while providing additional important content to our existing users.”

Host Meyerink brings more than 30 years of professional genealogical experience to “Family Roots Radio,” having served in a wide variety of genealogical positions. He has worked as an independent researcher, as a librarian at the Family History Library, as a manager at Ancestry.com and is currently a vice president at ProGenealogists, Inc. He also serves as adjunct faculty for San Jose State University and Brigham Young University. As a volunteer in the genealogical community, he has served as a trustee of the Association of Professional Genealogist and as president of the Utah Genealogical Association. He is also the founding director of the popular Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. His writings include Ancestry’s major reference work, Printed Sources. He holds four Accredited Genealogist credentials, has a Masters of Library Science, and is a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association.

Randall Libero, executive producer at the VoiceAmerica™ Network, explained that their market studies had shown a great need for content oriented to the growing activity in family history. “Studies have consistently shown that interest in family roots is one of America’s most popular leisure pursuits, and providing such informative, topic-driven radio is exactly what we do at VoiceAmerica. When we went looking for a professional group to develop and host a genealogy radio show, we were impressed with the expertise and the people at ProGenealogists,” said Libero. “We look forward to providing our listeners with timely, expert information to make it easier for them to find their family roots.”

Question from Marg,

I want to find out all that happened in my family tree file for a single year. Example, who died, who was born and who married in the last year. Can some kind person tell me how to do this?

Answer from Legacy Family Tree,

Legacy Family Tree's searching tools makes this task simple to do. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the Search button in the main toolbar.
2. On the Detailed Search tab, enter the criteria as shown in the image below (click on the image).
3. Click on the Create List button.

The resulting Search List contains a list of everyone in your family file who was born during the desired year.

To ADD marriage and death results to the resulting list, go back to this Search screen and perform a similar search for the marriage information (in the Look for Whom? column change it to marriage) and the death information. But before clicking on the Create List button, click on Add results to existing List, found in the lower left.

I purchased a new computer this week and specified that it should have Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed at the factory. I was able to take the computer out of the box, boot up, and start using Vista within a few minutes. I had read quite a bit about Vista's improvements and wanted to try them out for myself. Now that I have about eight hours' use under my belt, I am ready to share my impressions.

Continue reading Dick Eastman's article here. Dick is the featured speaker on the upcoming Legacy Cruise to Hawaii.

from WorldVitalRecords.com:

Provo, UT, January 25, 2007 -- For the first time ever, all of Everton’s Genealogical Helper issues, more than 10,000 pages, will be online January 31st at WorldVitalRecords.com.

“Since 1947, long before the Web, Web 2.0, and community websites, Everton’s Genealogical Helper magazine has been connecting family history researchers and printing their research results, offering an invaluable aid to millions of other researchers,” said Walter Fuller, President and Publisher, Everton Publishers.

The Genealogical Helper emphasizes content, continuing education, and research resources, for both professional genealogists and amateur family history researchers. Leland Meitzler, one of the founders of the genealogy industry, was recently named the managing editor of this magazine.

“This information, along with a wealth of highly informative articles, lists, book reviews, etc., has made the Helper the ‘bible’ of the industry for 60 years.  We at Everton are extremely pleased that this data, in its entirety, will now be available through WorldVitalRecords.com,” Fuller said.

WorldVitalRecords.com is currently using optical character recognition (OCR) to index the Genealogical Helper issues from the past 60 years (1947-2007).

“The Genealogical Helper represents the modern era of genealogy research. We are pleased to include this valuable reference tool at WorldVitalRecords.com. So much of what we know today as genealogy research techniques have been introduced and defined in the Genealogical Helper, and there is a lot of great information on each page,” said David Lifferth, President, WorldVitalRecords.com.

In the past, Everton has only indexed the last ten years of the Genealogical Helper. Subscribers will soon have the opportunity to access more than 200 issues. Each issue contains up to 200 pages.

“This is a huge data set. The images are clear and readable and the OCR will be very accurate and usable to our readers. Instead of searching through thousands of pages to find a question your relative asked, you can perform a simple search and find the information you need in a matter of seconds,” said John Ivie, Senior Programmer, WorldVitalRecords.com.

The Everton Genealogical Helper collection will be housed in the Reference section at WorldVitalRecords.com.

“Over a half a century of data, inquiries, book reviews, articles on family history and genealogy, as well as personal insight to research in the field, make this data set an invaluable collection for our subscribers,” said Yvette Arts, Director, Content Acquisition, WorldVitalRecords.com.