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THE GENCLASS NEWSLETTER - July 2007
http://www.genclass.com
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TOPICS:
= Family Tree Maker 2008: A review of the beta version
by Cindy Rowzee
=
Tip of the Month:
The first U.S. Census was taken on August 2, 1790.
=
Upcoming classes in August and September
Welcome to the GenClass Newsletter. Each month we will feature
an article by one of our expert instructors plus a quick genealogy
tip
and a listing of exciting upcoming courses.
Tell
all your colleagues and friends about GenClass and spread
the word about the "best kept genealogical secret on
the Web!"
--------------------------------
Family Tree Maker 2008: A review of the beta version
by Cindy Rowzee, AG
--------------------------------
The
beta version of FTM 2008 is out! I decided to download it
and take a look at some of the new features that would be
available
this time around.
However,
it is more than just a few new features,
it is a totally different program!
This
version of Family Tree Maker was created from scratch and
bears very little resemblance to earlier versions. For those
of you
who love FTM, you may have a hard time getting used to some
of the new features and interface. I think, though, that once
you
get used to it, you will enjoy this new version.
FTM
2008 beta has fixed some of the things that I had problems
with in the earlier versions. One of these is the timeline.
I did not even consider what was in the earlier versions of
FTM
to be a timeline and I personally never used that feature,
I just created my own. Now, however, it is a true timeline
that
lists the facts for an individual and you can choose to add
family events and/or historical events.
It
now looks like a timeline should!!!
Tasks
were another thing in FTM that I had not utilized much.
They were not easy to access nor were they easy to filter
and categorize. Now, however, they appear on the main
planning screen when FTM starts.
You
can create tasks for individuals or broader tasks,
give each task a category or location, a due date and a
priority and then filter them by each of these different attributes.
This makes the tasks much more useful for working on
one person or focusing on one area. You can also make
a list of tasks that you would like to accomplish when you
are going to a certain place to do research.
You
would then have an itinerary all set for a research trip.
I have been fiddling with the Map feature a bit. The maps
that
are included are actual road maps that even include cemeteries
on them. This is nice for when you are trying to find these
different places while out doing research. However, I have
not
been able to plot more than one thing at a time on the maps
in this
new version and wonder if this is something that will be available
when the actual program comes out or if they have completely
taken this capability out of FTM.
All
in all, I see this Family Tree Maker 2008 as an improvement
over the earlier versions. It is just going to take some time
and
some playing around to get used to them. As soon as the final
version comes out (it is supposed to be some time in August),
I will begin preparing new lessons.
Look
for a class on this new version of FTM in October or November!
Go
to http://beta.familytreemaker.com to see a little more
about the new version and also to download the beta version
to try for yourself. I suggest downloading the beta on a
spare computer until the actual version comes out.
This
way, you will still be able to work in your FTM file without
the fear of losing some of the information.
So go ahead and Play, Play, Play!!!
Cindy Rowzee, AG Accredited Genealogist and GenClass Instructor
--------------------------------
Tip of the Month:
The first U.S. Census was taken on August 2, 1790.
--------------------------------
Have you checked all the censuses where your ancestors might
appear?
Consider a subscription to Ancestry.com to search every-name
indexes for
U.S. Census records.
If
your library or genealogical society subscribes to Ancestry
Library Edition,
or HeritageQuest Online, you can search the census for free.
+---------------- UPCOMING CLASSES -------------------+
AUGUST 2007: Classes start Thursday, August 2, 2007
*
Adoption Investigative Class:
Detailed search advice and assistance for successfully
locating and reuniting adoptees and birth families.
*
Basic English Research:
Learn how to start researching your English ancestors -
historical background, geography, finding the "bones"
of your family.
*
Eastern European Genealogy Research: Part 2 (Intermediate):
This class will continue on from the basic Eastern European
research class,
focusing on how to expand your research beyond your own family
into a more community-oriented protocol.
*
Lost Friends and Family Investigative Class:
Detailed search advice and assistance on the methods to use
for
successfully tracing "lost" relatives and friends.
SEPTEMBER 2007: Classes start Monday, September 3, 2007
*
Adoption Investigative Class:
Detailed search advice and assistance for successfully locating
and
reuniting adoptees and birth families.
*
Canadian Research - Part1:
This course does more than get you started. It takes you deep
into some of the country's best records - many on the Internet.
*
Family Tree Maker 16 - Advanced:
Advanced features, like books, trees, reports and web sites.
*
Lost Friends and Family Investigative Class:
Detailed search advice and assistance on the methods to use
for
successfully tracing "lost" relatives and friends.
*
Native American Genealogy:
Learn how to start your research for your Native American
Ancestors.
*
Salt Lake City - Part 1:
Access the largest genealogical library in the world.
Perform searches, knowledgeably; and understand what you've
found.
*
Write Your Family History Step-by-Step:
How to write your own family history, - a detailed, step-by-step
guide.
Learn more at http://www.genclass.com
Register for a class at http://www.genclass.com
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That's all for now, until next month!
-- LISA ALZO, Newsletter Editor
============[
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