Picking out Genealogy Software - Part 1: Cloud Based Programs

Soon after you begin working on your family tree, you will want to start thinking about which genealogy software program you should use to record your information. This is not an easy choice because there are so many programs and options out there. So we will begin by first going over key points to consider when deciding between cloud based and computer based software. Then we will look at two of the more popular cloud based sites.

Computer or Cloud Based Software?

There are currently two basic approaches to using family tree software. You can either download or buy a program and run it on your own computer, or you can use a genealogy program through a website using your browser. Below are pros and cons to each.

Computer Based Software

Pros:

• You have more control of your data since it is stored on your own computer
• You own the program and can access it as long as it continues to work with your computer
• As long as your computer is working, you always have access

Cons:

• You are responsible for backing up your own data
• You cannot access your information unless you are in front of your computer (of course, you can set up your computer for remote access, but I do not know too many genealogists who are doing this.)
• Only you have direct access to your data (this could also be considered a benefit)
• You have to purchase upgrades if you want the latest software

Cloud Based Software

Pros:

• You can access your information from any place with an Internet connection and the correct electronic device
• You can allow others to view your information (this could also be seen as a con)
• Software is always up to date
• Software is less dependent on computer setup

Cons:

• You need an Internet connection to access your data
• If the website hosting your data goes out of business, you will need to move your data to a new program or site

So keeping these in mind, let’s next look at what cloud based software is out there for us to use.

Genealogy in the Cloud

Ancestry.com is a website that allows people to create and maintain a family tree for free. The site, which was launched in 1996 by Ancestry Publishing, also collects and provides resources for people who are researching their family past. In the 17 years since the site was set up, more than 11 billion records have been added. So one benefit of having your tree on Ancestry.com is that the site will automatically flag records that could be relevant to your search. The downside of this is that most of these records can only be accessed through a paid subscription. But occasionally Ancestry.com will open up some records for free at different times throughout the year. Other benefits include the ability to share your information with friends and relatives, to make your tree private and/or hide data about living people, to contact other researchers who share ancestors, and to export your data to a GEDCOM - a standard genealogy format. You can also download the Ancestry.com app to a smart phone so you can access your tree anywhere you have a connection. And in the next post, we’ll look at a few more benefits that relate to computer based programs.

FamilySearch, a genealogy website run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, recently launched the ability for people to create an online family tree on their site for free. The difference between FamilySearch and Ancestry.com is that the tree you set up on Ancestry is only your tree and is not linked to any other tree and can only be changed by you while the tree you create on FamilySearch is really part of one big tree that everyone is building on the site. You can think of it as attaching your information to one big global family tree that everyone is working on. Because of this, FamilySearch allows anyone to edit any information in the tree. Fortunately if someone does change your information, you can see who changed the record and contact them to discuss their edits.

Content in the Cloud

Both Ancestry.com and FamilySearch allow people to upload and attach photos and other media to their family trees. But there is a very important difference between how each site handles user content. The terms of use on the Ancestry.com site give them permission to use and transmit your content, but grants them no other rights. The terms of use on the FamilySearch site basically give them the right to do whatever they want with your content including modifying and redistributing it. While I have trees on both sites, I do not upload content to FamilySearch specifically because of these terms.