NEW! RootsMagic 8 released today...

Oct 01, 2021 8:37 pm

Happy Fall to all! The latest genealogy news is RootsMagic has released its newest version of family tree software for personal computers.

RootsMagic 8

RootsMagic has just released its newest version for Mac and Windows computers. I use RootsMagic as a way to backup my family trees from FamilySearch, etc. on my home computer. I definitely underutilize all their programs but you can watch RootsMagic webinars or their YouTube videos to learn about their program.

Free - RootsMagic offers a RootsMagic Essentials, which is a free version of their software.

Limited Time offer - RootsMagic 8 is available for only $39.95. Existing RootsMagic and Family Origins users may upgrade for only $29.95.

For a limited time, RootsMagic is offering an additional discount for both full and upgrade copies. Until October 17, 2021, the full version will be available for $34.95, and upgrade pricing will be $24.95. After October 17th, the price will return to its regular price.

My First Look at RootsMagic 8

First, to import your tree from an earlier version or an online tree, select "Create a New RootsMagic file" then choose the appropriate option.

I like the new look of the program. It's still not as nice as Family Tree Maker software's look, but I prefer some of RootsMagic's reports and they've definitely improved the presentation of their tree so I'm happy and will be able to work with this. I'll watch some tutorials and see if I can adjust the contrast to make it even better for my purposes.

Here's a comparison:

RootsMagic 7 - the old tree view

RootsMagic 8 - the new tree view - huge improvement over RM7

Family Tree Maker 2019 tree view - nice contrast to visualize tree

And in other news - our local stores had a run on water and toilet paper AGAIN last week (no idea why) so that threw me into "prep for the holidays" mode so I can reduce any holiday stress. Here are some sites for making memory books if you want to preserve family memories.

Mixbooks

My go-to memory book site is Mixbooks.com. They always offer a discount and as with many other sites, if you don't immediately purchase, they sometimes email you an offer with an even better discount. Mixbooks currently has 50% off and free shipping through December 31, 2021 with the code SRCHDEAL21. If you haven't made a memory book, these sites make it easy. Just choose a book/template that fits the theme you want, upload digital photos, add any text you'd like, preview the book, make any edits, and order.

Other books sites to consider

MyCanvas.com has photo books as well as family history books. They can import your family tree info from Ancestry.com so this is a great site to use if you want your family tree data included. I made one of these for my mother-in-law's 80th birthday and they prefilled the book with descendancy charts and then I added photos of all the families and the children and grandchildren signed it.

Chatbooks.com - use the app to connect to your Instagram feed

MySocialBook.com - print a yearbook of your Facebook or Instagram feeds

or just do a web search for "memory books"

Shutterfly.com

Blurb.com

New and Updated Listings

I'm continuing to add the digitized microfilm collections at FamilySearch. These records are listed at the county level, so if you don't know which county you should be searching, type the city name in the Keyword search "Find" window at OnGenealogy and it will pull up the correct listing. If you know the county you're researching, use the "Near" search window and start typing the name and then choose from the autosuggested locations. But only use the "Near" window if you're typing in a county name. These FamilySearch collections aren't currently pinned to individual cities on the map, only to counties.

in Maine

Museums of the Bethel Historical Society

Great Cranberry Island Historical Society

Mount Desert Island Historical Society

Winter Harbor Historical Society

Belmont NH Heritage Through the Years

Maine Genealogy Records online at FamilySearch

Androscoggin County ME Genealogy Records online at FamilySearch

Aroostook County ME Genealogy Records online at FamilySearch

Cumberland County ME Genealogy Records online at FamilySearch

Franklin County ME Genealogy Records online at FamilySearch

Hancock County ME Genealogy Records online at FamilySearch