[TI] Legacy versus FTM

[Laura Johnson]

I don't normally hype any software to excess.  I like what I like and 
don't try to force anyone to use what I like versus what they might 
like.  BUT in the case of Legacy versus FTM 2010 (or 2008 or 2009), 
Legacy wins handsdown and has my full endorsement.

Here are some of the MANY reasons I switched to Legacy:

1.  Legacy has a free download which you can use FOREVER without paying 
one cent for it.  You only need to pay for the deluxe version if you 
want to unlock all of the extra features.  Even without the deluxe 
features, the program is far above FTM and this includes ALL versions of 
FTM.

2.  Legacy doesn't put out a new version every year AND you don't have 
to upgrade to the new version if you don't want to. 

3.  Legacy has FREE updates to its software.  FTM's updates are costly 
as they become new versions you must purchase to get the new features.

4.  Two ways to search for a person:
    a.  NAME LIST - this is a listing of EACH individual in the database 
of the file you are using
    b.  MARRIAGE LIST - EVERY marriage in your database shows in this 
list.  If a person is married 3 times, it shows ALL 3 marriages, not 
just one.  You don't have to highlight the husband or wife's name to see 
who their spouses are.  You can see the exact date of the marriage 
WITHOUT having to go to the page were both husband and wife are listed.  
No need to HIGHLIGHT each person to see who they are married to and/or 
guess which one it is that has more than one wife or husband like in FTM.

5.  NAME LIST  - this list is well worth everything you every wanted in 
a genealogy program
In the left window of the pane, you have the listing of the people in 
the database with the years of birth and death listed.  In the right 
side of the window, you have 8 tabs you can click on to look at ALL of 
the information about that person WITHOUT having to go to the page for 
just that person. 
    a.  FAMILY TAB - shows parents names, spouse's name, siblings names, 
and their children's names - Can't see this in FTM without clicking on 
their name and then moving between screens which take an extraordinary 
amount of time in FTM.
    b. SOURCES - you can see all of the sources you have attached to 
that person
    c.  LDS - shows information for LDS recording
    d.  TEMPLE - lets you record the information about Temple
    e.  DETAIL - shows full dates of birth, baptism, marriage, death, 
burial, mother and father  and spouse's name.  In the bottom part of the 
same window, it shows 3 generation chart starting with the person you 
are viewing
    f.  EDIT - lets you edit details of any entry for that person
    g.  EVENTS - shows all events attached to the person
    h.  NOTES - lets you see all notes attached to the person as well as 
you can edit them

6.  SPEED - The program is extremely fast.  Moves quickly between 
screens.  FTM 2010 is too sluggish. Takes an extraordinary amount of 
time to move between screens especially if you have a large database.  
The TI file I am entering data from the certificate database has over 
48,000 people in it.  It would take as long as 90 seconds or more to 
move between screens in FTM.  In Legacy, it is usually less than 2 seconds.

7.  CHARTING - I couldn't begin to tell you how much better and easier 
and more features it has than FTM.  More charts, better and easier to use.

8.  USER-FRIENDLY - Much easier to use the FTM 2010.  Legacy is pretty 
self-explanatory and intuitive to use. 

9.  SUPPORT GROUP - Legacy has a mailing list that is out of this 
world.  If you have a problem, someone will usually be able to help you 
solve it almost immediately.  Legacy also has some of their staff who 
monitor the list and help as well.  FTM doesn't have any one to help and 
it only USERS of FTM who try to help others. 

These are just SOME of the many reasons I switched to Legacy and have 
been using it for over 2 years now.  I maintained FTM 2009 file until 
2010 came out and I saw no improvement in their program.  I have totally 
switched to Legacy