legacy 8 family tree database finally released
brenda kellow
january 12, 2014
Genealogists welcome in 2014 with the much-anticipated release of Legacy 8 Family Tree database. Using this program to store your family history findings has many advantages whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced researcher. Legacy 8 received certification as the official software for FamilySearch for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but the rest of us who are not Mormon can simply turn off that special feature within the program.
I like the addition of the Origins Report that shows my ethnicity percentage by country in graph form and the Migration Report that places a flag at the spots on the map where they lived. With the instant duplicate checking feature, I no longer do I have to search to determine whether I am entering the same person twice in my program. Another feature is the potential problem alert. Genealogical education is available through webinars, www.familytreewebinars.com/, and training videos, www.legacyfamilytree.com/Videos.asp.
Legacy 8 gives you access to the many free webinars—and some for a small charge—to enrich your genealogical knowledge of Legacy and comprehensive research methods. The latest free webinar is that presented by developer Geoff Rasmussen on “What’s New in Family Tree 8,” presented for the first time this year on January 3 which comes with a free syllabus. Geoff wrote the manual on using Legacy 8 titled, “Legacy Family Tree 8 – Unlocked” available in a printed version or download the PDF. I believe you will find the program is intuitive so you should be able to learn to use it quickly if you are familiar with Microsoft. The company offers detailed instructions for downloading both the free Standard Edition as well as the Deluxe Edition that sells for $29.95. The Deluxe Edition includes a printed copy of the manual and a compact disc that asks if you want to begin installing the program. The free version is certainly adequate, just lacking the bells and whistles of the Deluxe Edition.
This upgrade is a powerful package built on the mighty Microsoft Access program. The Standard Edition or basic version of Legacy 8, which certainly is not ‘basic,’ is free, as are all updates. Legacy website is accurate when it says that it is “the most comprehensive and easy to use family history software you can buy.” For more information, you should visit www.legacyfamilytree.com/WhatsNew8.asp.
Another great thing about Legacy Family Tree genealogical software program is the free Legacy User Group that meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:30-3:30 downstairs in the Genealogy Center. Attendees hear Joanne Corney explain and show how to use the program to its fullest. Sometimes she even shows some of the Webinars available to users. At 3:30-5:30, Joanne works with individuals on installing or just working through software problems. Anyone with the same problems is welcome to stay for the extended sessions. Joanne’s email is [email protected].
The powerful program available free, or for a small amount of money, coupled with the free instruction through webinars, videos, and the User Group sessions are ideal for family historians. Additionally, access your Legacy 8 from your cell phone or iPad through “Families” app. Download at www.telgen.co.uk/families/. Genealogists, take advantage of this free, quality program and User Group.
SOCIAL SECURITY ACCESS CHANGES: Beginning March 24, the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) will no longer be available for genealogists to access death information for people who died within the last three years. Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org still have these online. Access what you need the March deadline. After that, we can only search three years after the death. Read what the Legal Genealogists has to say at www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2013/12/30/ssdi-access-now-limited/. Personally, I do not recall ever needing a social security number. Mainly, it is valuable for a death confirmation or accuracy.
ONLINE SCOTTISH VITAL RECORDS: ScotlandsPeople put vital record digital images online. Many of these were registered over 100 years ago. If you plan a visit to Scotland, they will also be available at Scotland’s People Center in Glasgow as well as local family history centers in Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Hawick and Inverness. The link is www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history, teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunion announcements, books to review, and genealogy queries to: [email protected].
