How Does Family Tree Software Work?

Replacing Pen and Paper

Family tree software allows the genealogy enthusiast to efficiently organize his family history information. The pedigree data that was once painstakingly gathered by pen and paper in the pre-computer er can now be entered into the computer just once. From that information family trees and reports can be instantly generated. The files created can also be uploaded to family history sites, such as Ancestry, where the researcher can find leads generated by the data they have uploaded (see Resources below).

It begins when the user starts a new family file. If you are working in a word processor program, you start a new document file. If you are working in an image program, you create an image file. With a family tree software program, you are starting a family file, which represents a family tree. One common family tree file is a GEDCOM file.

You begin by entering data for a starting person. That person might be you. If you don't have all the information, that's O.K. Genealogy is an ongoing process, and data will be continually added as it is discovered. Once you have completed the starting person, new individual profiles will be added. If you include the starter person's mother and father, then you already have three people on the tree. Each time information is added about a parent, spouse or child, the limbs of the family tree grow.

Instead of messy notebooks and stacks of papers with dates, the family tree software keeps the data neat, organized and readily available. The programs have options to add photographs to the file or instantly create a family tree for any of the individuals you've added.

With family tree software, the only data you enter is the specific information about each person. This includes; the complete name, place of birth, place of death and place of marriage, dates of birth, death and marriage, name of spouse, parents and children. You typically add information on a new individual by working off a previous entry. For example, the way to add your mother's complete information would be to first enter your personal data, which would include your mother's name. After that is done, click on your mother's name in your profile, and her personal data sheet will open, allowing you to complete her information.

Once you've entered the pedigree information, the program can now use that information to perform many tasks. Depending on the software program you choose, the data can be instantly compiled to make ancestor reports and charts, descendant reports and charts, kinship reports, individual timelines, family group sheets, custom reports and family history books.