Genealogical tree

Are you investigating the origins of your family to build a family tree in which to insert all your ancestors, but do not know which program to use to build the schema quickly and easily? Well, then I can help you out. If you give me a few minutes of your free time – as well as your attention -, I can show you all those that, in my humble opinion, represent the best resources in the category, both for Windows and for macOS.

How do you say? Don’t you want to download new programs on your computer and would you like to know if I can recommend some solutions that can be used directly online? Of course yes, don’t worry. Apart from “traditional” software, you must in fact know that there are also several Web services suitable for the purpose that you can contact directly through the Web browser, without having to download absolutely anything on your computer. The same goes for the mobile side: if you are interested in it, there are apps, both for Android and iOS, with which you can perform the operation in question directly on the go!

Then? May I know what are you still doing standing there? Position yourself comfortably and immediately start focusing on reading the following. I am sure that in the end you will be able to tell yourself very happy and satisfied with what you have learned and that, of course, you will be able to reconstruct the whole history of your family. What do you say, we bet?

Index

• Family tree software
  • MyHeritage Family Tree Builder (Windows / macOS)
  • Gramps (Windows / macOS)
  • Legacy (Windows)
• Online family tree services
• Family tree app

Family tree software

Do you want to create a family tree on your PC using an ad hoc program? Then the resources you need are those listed below: they are, as I said at the beginning of the guide, of “classic” computer programs, usable on both Windows and macOS, completely free (or almost) and rather simple to employ. Take a look at it immediately, you will see that you will not regret it.

MyHeritage (Windows / macOS)

The first of the useful resources I want to talk to you about is  MyHeritage Family Tree Builder, free software for Windows and macOS that allows you to create super-detailed family trees through a very linear and easy-to-use user interface, completely translated into language Italian. It is also available in a premium (paid) version with more features, but the basic one should meet all your needs.

To use it, connect to the MyHeritage Family Tree Builder website and click on the Download button for free, in order to download the program on your PC.

When the download is complete, if you are using Windows, open the .exe file you just obtained by double-clicking on it and, in the window that is shown on your desktop, click on the Yes button. Therefore, set Italian in the drop-down menu for language selection and click on the OK and  Next buttons. Then press the Accept,  Install and  Finish buttons to complete the installation process and start the program.

If, on the other hand, what you are using is a Mac, open the .dmg package you just obtained and drag  MyHeritage Family Tree Builder into the MacOS Applications folder, then right-click on the program icon and select the Open item from the menu that opens. Then presses the Open button in the window you see on the screen, in order to start the application by going around the limitations imposed by Apple on applications from non-certified developers (an operation that must be carried out only the first time the application is started).

Now that you are viewing the main program window, in order to start building your family tree , you need to create a free account on the MyHeritage.com site. Therefore, fill out the form that is proposed to you by providing the requested information (name, surname, etc.). Then press the Next button, indicate (if you want) your country of residence and also your telephone number and click on the Start button.

Once you have registered, you can immediately start creating your family tree by clicking on the Create a new tree button. If you want the software to back up your data on MyHeritage.com, also check that the appropriate option is checked below.

Now follow the wizard that is proposed to you: click on the Next button, select the item Create a new family history project and click on Next again. Type the name of the project in the appropriate field, click on Next again and provide the information relating to your parents and grandparents.

Once the basic structure of the family tree has been generated, you can use the Add a Person button located at the top of the window to insert other components. Alternatively, you can click on the various components in the family tree and use the links that are automatically proposed to you depending on the family member you have selected. Still, by clicking on the name of a specific component, you can modify its information and/or add other info and various details.

Using the buttons on the toolbar and the menus located at the top, you can add photos, view reports, change the type of diagram used, maps, etc. In the left part of the software window you will find, instead, the complete list of all the members of the family you have added and the filter for quick search.

Gramps (Windows / macOS)

As an alternative to the above software, you can rely on the use of Gramps. It is a free program for Windows and macOS (as well as for Linux), of an open-source nature and very simple to use, which allows you to create family trees. The use interface is quite practical and sufficiently intuitive.

To download Gramps on your computer, connect to the program’s website and click on the Download Gramps button located at the top right. In the new page that opens, if you are using Windows 32-bit, click on the link  Windows Installer (32-bit) xxx, while if you are using Windows 64, click  Windows Installer (64-bit) xxx.

When the download is complete, double-click on it to open the .exe file you just obtained and click on the Yes button in the window that opens. Crushing and then on the button Next and what I Agree, press the button Next twice more, on the button Install, on the Next and, finally, press on Finish to end the setup.

If you are using macOS instead, after connecting to the Gramps download page, click on the Intel xxx link and wait for the software to download to your computer.

Once the download is complete, open the .dmg package obtained and drag the program to the macOS Applications folder, right-click on its icon and select the Open item from the context menu, then click on the Open button in the window that appears on the screen to circumvent the limitations imposed by Apple on applications from non-certified developers (an operation that must be carried out only at the first start).

Now, regardless of the operating system used, click on the New button in the program window that has opened on the desktop and type the name you want to assign to your family tree in the appropriate field, then click on the Load Family Tree button at the bottom To the right.

Next, click on the People item located in the left sidebar, click on the [+] button located on the toolbar, enter all the details relating to the first person you intend to add to the family tree and click OK. Repeat this step for each person you want to include on the family tree.

To continue shaping your family tree, use the other items in the left sidebar and the buttons on the toolbar. Through the Relationship section, you can create new connections between people and define the type of relationships, through the Charts section you can view and modify the graph, through the Events section you can enter specific events and so on.

On the right, however, you can find the filters to quickly view the information you need and find the family members “on the fly”, while using the menu bar at the top you can access the program settings and other functions of the same.

Legacy (Windows)

None of the programs I mentioned in the previous lines convinced you in a particular way and would you like to know if there is any alternative available to create your family tree? Well, if that’s the case and if what you’re using is a computer running Windows, I suggest you rely on Legacy. It is a no-cost software specific for Microsoft systems able to fulfill the purpose in question flawlessly. It is also available in a paid version ($ 34.95) that allows you to get extra functions, such as the ability to search for ancestors.

You ask me how to make use of it? I’ll tell you right away. First, visit the program’s website, click on the Download button located next to the Standard Edition item and, in the new page that opens, on the Download free link . Then fill out the form that is proposed to you by typing your e-mail address, your name and your surname, check the box I am not a robot, perform the required actions and click on the Next Step button.

Access now the e-mail box whose address you typed in the form, click on the link contained therein and then press the Click Here to Download button on the web page that opens, in order to proceed with the download of the program.

After downloading, open the .exe file obtained by double-clicking on it and click on the Yes button. In the window that opens, press the Next button twice in a row and complete the setup by pressing the Finish button.

Now that you see the program window on the desktop, select the Italian from the menu that is proposed to you and click on the OK button, then indicate your willingness to use the free edition of the program by ticking the appropriate item and presses the Next button for three times in a row, then click the Start a new family file button.

Now fill out the form that is proposed to you by providing the requested information about yourself, your parents and your grandparents. When you have finished, you press the button Finished, choose the location on your computer to save everything and your family tree is immediately generated.

You can make further changes to the tree by selecting the components of the family in the central part of the program window and using the buttons located on the toolbar (top), while using the items in the menu bar you can change the settings related to the software operation and access additional useful tools.

Online family tree services

I had anticipated it at the beginning of the article: if you do not want or cannot download and install new software on your computer, you can also create your family tree via the Web, using one of the online services used for the purpose listed below. You can use it from any browser and operating system. The only thing you need is an Internet connection. Seeing is believing!

• Geni– Internet site that, upon registration, allows you to create a family tree using your knowledge and asking relatives for help, thanks to the possibility of sharing information. It also allows you to upload photos and useful documents to integrate with the information provided and obtained. It’s free.
• Genoom– online service that allows you to create an international family tree by searching for all people with a specific surname. It is also possible to exploit the information shared by other users who use the service. To use it, however, you need to create a special account.  It is possibly also available in a subscription version (for a fee), with additional features.
• Canva– free online service particularly suitable for those who want to create a family tree without wasting a lot of time. It allows you to select one of the various models available and to customize what you have chosen with the data of your family.

Family tree app

You don’t have a computer at hand and would you like me to suggest some apps to create your family tree from your smartphone or tablet? No sooner said than done. Below you will find what I believe to be the best applications for Android and iOS belonging to the category in question. Download them right now on your device, I’m sure they will satisfy you.

• TreeView( Android / iOS ) – app used for the purpose of this tutorial with a simple but well-finished interface. It allows you to upload photos, is usable in offline mode and the added information is automatically synchronized on all devices. It’s free.
• Ancestry( Android / iOS ) – famous companion app of the homonymous portal that allows you not only to create your own family tree but also to trace relatives and ancestors in Italy and around the world. The app is free to download but access to information must be paid for by subscribing to a monthly or annual subscription.
• FamilySearch Tree( Android / iOS ) – the application that allows you to create your family tree from mobile, view its details, add photos and stories to your family branches. The created family tree can then be shared on social networks. It’s free.