Tracing Your Roots is a comprehensive guide to using Family Tree Maker 2019, the latest version of the popular family tree software. Whether you’re just getting started with genealogy or you’re a seasoned researcher, this book will help you make the most of the powerful features and tools available in Family Tree Maker 2019.
With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips throughout, Tracing Your Roots covers everything you need to know to create and manage your family tree, connect with other researchers, and preserve your family history for future generations.
In the following chapters, we’ll explore the various features of Family Tree Maker 2019, from basic navigation and data entry to more advanced tools like DNA testing and timeline creation. We’ll also cover how to use Family Tree Maker in conjunction with Ancestry.com, the leading genealogy website.
Whether you’re looking to organize your family history research, share your findings with others, or simply preserve your family’s story for future generations, Tracing Your Roots is the ultimate guide to using Family Tree Maker 2019.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Family Tree Maker 2019
Family Tree Maker 2021 is a powerful software tool for organizing and managing your family history research. With Family Tree Maker 2019, you can easily create, edit, and share your family tree, as well as access a wealth of features and resources to help you trace your ancestors.
In this chapter, we’ll introduce you to the basic features of Family Tree Maker 2019 and show you how to get started with your family tree.
First, let’s take a look at the Family Tree Maker 2019 interface. When you first open the program, you’ll see a welcome screen with several options, including starting a new tree, opening an existing tree, or syncing your tree with Ancestry.com.
To start a new tree, simply click “New Tree” and enter your name as the home person. You can also add additional family members by clicking “Add Family Member” and entering their information.
Once you’ve added some basic information, you can start to build your family tree. Family Tree Maker 2019 allows you to add and edit individuals, relationships, events, and sources. You can also add photos, documents, and other media to your tree.
To add an individual, click “Add Person” and enter their basic information, such as name, birth date, and birthplace. You can also add additional details, such as occupation, education, and religion.
To add a relationship, simply click on the two individuals you want to link and choose the appropriate relationship from the dropdown menu. You can also add events, such as marriages, deaths, and burials, by clicking “Add Event” and entering the relevant information.
Family Tree Maker 2019 also allows you to add sources to your tree, which can help you keep track of where you found your
Getting Started: Setting Up Your Family Tree
Chapter 2: Getting Started: Setting Up Your Family Tree
Now that you have a basic understanding of the Family Tree Maker 2019 interface, it’s time to start setting up your family tree. In this chapter, we’ll walk you through the process of adding your ancestors and their descendants to your tree.
Before you start adding individuals to your tree, it’s a good idea to gather as much information as you can about your family history. Talk to relatives, search through old documents and photos, and consult online resources to get started.
Once you have some basic information, you can start adding individuals to your tree. Begin with yourself and work backwards through your ancestors.
To add an individual to your tree, click “Add Person” and enter their basic information, such as name, birth date, and birthplace. You can also add additional details, such as occupation, education, and religion.
If you have information about an individual’s parents, you can add them as well by clicking “Add Family Member” and entering their information. You can also add siblings, spouses, and children by following the same process.
As you add individuals to your tree, Family Tree Maker 2019 will automatically create a visual representation of your family tree. You can navigate through your tree by clicking on an individual and then clicking “View > Tree” to see their ancestors and descendants.
One important feature of Family Tree Maker 2019 is the ability to add sources to your tree. Sources are a crucial component of genealogy research, as they help you keep track of where you found your information.
To add a source to your tree, click “Sources” in the left-hand navigation pane and then click “Add Source.” You can then enter the source information, including the title, author, publication date, and URL.
Once you have added individuals and sources to your tree, you can start to add events, such as marriages, deaths, and burials. To add an event, click on an individual and then click “Events” in the left-hand navigation pane. You can then click “Add Event” and enter the relevant information.
Another important feature of Family Tree Maker 2019 is the ability to attach media to your tree. This can include photos, documents, and other files that help tell the story of your family history.
To add media to your tree, click on an individual and then click “Media” in the left-hand navigation pane. You can then click “Add Media” and select the file you want to add.
As you continue to add individuals, events, and media to your tree, Family Tree Maker 2019 will automatically update your family tree and generate reports and charts to help you visualize your research.
In the next chapter, we’ll take a closer look at navigating Family Tree Maker 2019 and managing your tree data.