Lineage-linked genealogy programs - shareware

The following programs are lineage-linked genealogy programs that are available as shareware or freeware. Shareware programs are ones that you can "try before you buy". Freeware programs are ones that you do not mneed to buy at all.They are available from shareware distributors, or for downloading from bulletin board systems or by ftp from some sites.

Freeware programs

Family History System

The Family History System, by Philip E. Brown, is available for MS-DOS computers. The basic version is free, but some commercial extensions are available from the author as a cost of $35.00, which makes it similar to a shareware program. The basic version is qute usable, however, and unlike shareware programs, there is no obligation to register. You may go on using it as long as you like.

It can be obtained from:
Philip E. Brown
834 Bahama Drive
Tallahassee
FL 32301
USA

Strong points

• Wide range of reports
• Flexible sorting and indexing system (extended version)
• Does not need latest hardware

Weak points

• Cumbersome notes editor
• Sources can only be entered in notes
• Not all fields can be exported in GEDCOM
• Limited to 32000 persons per data file

Shareware programs

Brother's Keeper

An MS-DOS program with a capacity of 1 million persons. Registration is $45.00. Brother's Keeper is one of the most widely used and popular of the shareware genealogy programs.

It can be obtained from:
John Steed
6907 Childsdale Road
Rockford
MI 49341
USA

Strong points

• Wide variety of reports
• Expandable notes

Weak points

• Cluttered and confusing menu
• Difficult to select reocrds for export

The Family Edge

An MS-DOS program with a capacity for up to 1 million persons, but the shareware version is limited to about 500 persons. Registration is $19.00 for the shareware version, $99.00 for the professional version.

Obtainable from:
Carl Yorke
PO Box 3157
Knoxville
TN 37927
USA

Strong points

• Instant alphabetical indexing
• Ease of data entry

Weak points

• Has not been updated for a long time

Family Scrapbook

Archer, George W. 1993. Archer's directory of genealogical software. Bowie: Heritage.
ISBN 1-55613-918-7
Available from:
Heritage Books
1540E Pointer Ridge Place
Bowie
Maryland 20716
USA

You are visitor number to this page since 28 April 1998

Sign Guestbook

View Guestbook

[Back to Computer Interest Group Home Page]