The Demise of Ancestry's Family Tree Maker Software

Ancestry's Senior VP of Product Management, Kendall Hulet, made a shocking announcement yesterday: "We've made the decision to stop selling Family Tree Maker as of December 31, 2015." He went on to say: "Ancestry will continue to support current owners of Family Tree Maker at least through January 1, 2017. During this time, all features of the software, including TreeSync™, will continue to work, and Member Services will be available to assist with user questions." (Read the full announcement on the Ancestry blog post Ancestry to Retire Family Tree Maker Software.)

Family Tree Maker was the Golden Award Winner and ranked the #1 genealogy software program for 2016 by Top Ten Reviews. It has been one of the most popular software applications for genealogists for many years and its demise will be felt by many genealogists from beginners to advanced.



Legacy Family Tree and RootsMagic, the #2 and #4 ranked genealogy programs, respectively, each announced special pricing for FTM users wishing to switch and provided videos and guides on transitioning FTM databases into their programs. You can read the news articles at Legacy News, Update on the Family Tree Maker announcement, and the RootsMagic Blog, Family Tree Maker® users have a new home at RootsMagic; Upgrade offer with Free Book and Magic Guides.

In the meantime, members of the Pima County Genealogy Society that use Family Tree Maker will not be abandoned. The PCGS members only Family Tree Maker SIG will continue to meet from 10am to 12pm on the third Saturday through 2016, or for as long as the members wish to meet. Visit the PCGS Calendar on the Pima County Genealogy Society website for details. 

Celebrate Independence Week Genealogy Style!

July 4, 1776, marks the day that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and is considered the birth of the United States of America. That day has been celebrated nearly every year since its first anniversary in 1777 (Wikipedia: "Independence Day (United States)").

Spirit of '76 by Archibald MacNeal Willard, 1875

This year, three genealogy websites are offering FREE access to some of their records in celebration of our Independence Day:

1. Fold3 is offering FREE access to the Revolutionary War Collection from July 1 to July 15. Visit the Fold3 HQ blog at http://blog.fold3.com/free-access-to-the-revolutionary-war-collection/ for details and links to their collection.
   
2. NEHGS is granting FREE access to all online searchable databases on AmericanAncestors.org related to the Great Migration from July 1 through July 8. You must sign up as a Guest User (also free) to take advantage of this offer. Visit their website at http://www.americanancestors.org/fourthofjuly for details and links to the collections.
   
3. Ancestry is offering FREE access to their 13 Colonies Collection from July 1 through July 5. Visit the 13 Colonies Collection page at http://search.ancestry.com/search/grouplist.aspx?group=thirteen_colonies for a full list of the records in this collection and to search all those records.

Take time between your picnics and fireworks to do some free research on your colonial ancestors.

Don't forget that there will be no PCGS meeting in July. Our next meeting will be held August 15 at the regular time, but we are meeting at a different location. Visit our website's calendar page at http://azpimagensoc.org/eventListings.php?nm=19&ec=7&tf=12 for the address and a map to our temporary location.

Stay cool!

Ancestry Immigration and Naturalization Records FREE April 16-20

Ancestry.com Offers Free Access to Immigration and Naturalization Records April 16th - 20th

Week of Free Access Enables Families to Discover Stories of Ancestors International Travels and Passage

To start researching the immigration and naturalization records for free, please visit Ancestry Immigration and Naturalization 

How To Use Ancestry Library Edition - Workshops presented by Pima County Library and PCGS

Feb 3 Monday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Flowing Wells Ellie Towne Community Center 1600 West Ruthrauff

Genealogy and Ancestry.com Computer Class Come explore your family history. Experienced genealogists from the Pima County Genealogy Society will introduce you to Ancestry.com Library Edition and many other resources to help you investigate your family tree. Registration for this event is required. Register for this event online

Feb 13 Thursday Joel D Valdez Main 2nd Floor, Catalina Room

Genealogy Open-Lab Come explore your family history. Experienced genealogists from the Pima County Genealogy Society will be on hand to help you use Ancestry.com Library Edition and many other resources to investigate your family tree. Get individual attention to as you search on one of our computers. Registration required. Register online or 791-4010. Two-hour free parking validation for program participants who park in the garage below the library. Registration for this event is required. Register for this event online or call 520-791-4010

Ancestry DNA Sale

Save $20 now on AncestryDNA View this email in a browser   Share this email

Save $20 off the newly evolved AncestryDNA Exclusive savings for Ancestry.com members only. LIMITED-TIME SAVINGS Buy now Offer ends November 2, 2013* One simple DNA test can help you make the new kinds of family history discoveries. With AncestryDNA, you get: • Incredible new details about your unique ethnic origins • Connections to new relatives • Updates on your ethnicity estimate as our DNA science advances • The most comprehensive family history experience when combined with Ancestry.com