I use a package called Family Tree supplied by GSP and I got it free some years ago . One of the important items about stand alone software is to ensure that you are able to export information you have created into other software . It probably is a standard feature now but not when I started my work on package selection . This software has now been used to create a very detailed family tree .
I have a very cut down version on the Genes Reunited Website . I have no information concerning children or grandchildren for any member on the tree below my level on the tree . It is quite useful because Genes Reunited will suggest matches to your tree and you can communicate to other people either within the Genes Reunited mailing system and then if you feel comfortable by normal personal E Mails . I have used both methods but have swapped copies of documents , photographs etc only by personal E Mail .
I may be old fashioned but I am not a believer in this modern concept of baring all on the Internet

Thanks for all the info.

I've done a test run on genesreunited; it doesn't take long before you have to put some cash down....

As B_R says, it would be useful for a software package to be able to export data - eg to plug a family tree into something like genesreunited in order to do a sweep - and of course it would be handy to have a "product" that could be handed over to someone else to carry on with.

Just restarted for the 4th time on my family tree....personally I've used probably 5 or 10 different sources on the internet, the majority need some cash for access to the records, but it's not a huge amount.

I use Gen8 for recording in softcopy, but to be honest most of my early work was done on a large roll of wallpaper.

The hardest part is getting back to the early 1900's, the census doesn't kick in until 1901, so if your father can get back to that date he can probably get back to the early 1800's with no trouble. If you are lucky you will find other people who have done the work for you...I was lucky enough to get part of the tree back to 1640's with the help of others.

I'd plug Ancestry.com as a good starting point and the monthly charge isn't too bad.

S_R

How far is this tree going to stretch in terms of (a) how far back and (b) hiow far sideways, siblings, cousins etc? If the tree is fairly simple then there is still a lot to be said for pen and paper.

If you must use a computer then the game is to do it at nil cost (or at least to minimise costs). There are two aspects to this, (1) research and (2) recording.

(1) http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/search.pl is free and can be accessed from home and can give you birth marriage and death data sufficient to send for certificates, which you can order online for £7 a pop (I think). Armed with this , off you go to your public library where you can access www.ancestrylibrary.com which will let you see all the UK censuses; you can print the sheets that are relevant, or email them to yourself and print them cheaper at home. For the 1911 census you need http://www.1911census.co.uk/search/t...px?x=933448513 and savvy setting of search arguments in this (as in other cases) will yield good info on a family without paying to look at the detail directly. The Mormons at http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Sear...lear_form=true have all sorts of data including the 1881 census in full. Where they show a date for a baptism you can TRY to see IF that parish register is online. Do all this from home BEFORE setting out on any sort of safari to a county records centre where, with luck, fiche or film opf parish registers can be inspected.

Relatives killed in action should be on the Commonwealth War Graves (CWGC) website. For others who served, the WW1 Medal Rolls are on Ancestrylibrary and for the surrounding military history check out regimental or other websites, and use your library card to send for the Official History of relevant campaigns.

(2) If you do go to Ancestry to build a tree only other subscribers can see it. I downloaded the free version of Legacy (Google for it) and here you can record just about everything. For free you can't build a pedigree chart so when you have done the MOST research you can, save you Legacy file as a gedcom (.ged format) and download Wingenea for a free trial and print from that. Do the decent thing and also send this final gedcom file to the Mormons who will EVENTUALLY upload it and then the whole world can share. I could go on and on ... but DO NOT spend shedloads of money on packages or memberships. Box clever and you'll be surprised what you can do for virtually nothing.

Final advice - make sure you question the older generation in great detail before they pop it and it's too late. But TEST what they say against available official records - memory can play strange tricks. And get them to LABEL the snaps in their photo album.

Originally Posted by Sympathetic_Reaction

The hardest part is getting back to the early 1900's, the census doesn't kick in until 1901,

S_R

1911 census is available now, looked at some details yesterday. Had great difficulty finding anyone and had to try a variety of searches before I achieved any success.

Can also use Register of electors at the local library, most libraries now have a good family history section

You say you have a rare surname. You might try checking out the Guild of One Name Studies (yes, the GOONS !) at

LINK

Someone may have already have done the ground work.

C_C

P.S. never dealt with them myself, but I know someone who has and was well chuffed.

Originally Posted by Taffnp

Originally Posted by Sympathetic_Reaction

The hardest part is getting back to the early 1900's, the census doesn't kick in until 1901,

S_R

1911 census is available now, looked at some details yesterday. Had great difficulty finding anyone and had to try a variety of searches before I achieved any success.

Can also use Register of electors at the local library, most libraries now have a good family history section

Didn't think that came out till 2011...hmmm so much for the 100 year rule.

As Seaweed said, I did the majority of my early work for free, local library, online free websites (does cyndi's list still exist?, worth checking), this was great when i had the time to go to physical locations, since i have to work nowadays I find the £10 a month for Ancestry.com is cheaper than driving to Cardiff and paying for the parking fees.


S_R

Originally Posted by 4(T)

Thanks for all the info.

I've done a test run on genesreunited; it doesn't take long before you have to put some cash down....

As B_R says, it would be useful for a software package to be able to export data - eg to plug a family tree into something like genesreunited in order to do a sweep - and of course it would be handy to have a "product" that could be handed over to someone else to carry on with.

I actually imported my simplistic tree as a Gedcom file from my stand alone software onto genesreunited ... reduced affort .

I have to agree with those who've suggested sticking to pen & paper. There are great sites on the web for research, but for actually recording the info, both my mum and my uncle (covering both sides of the family) have tried several packages and found them wanting.

I use family tree maker 2010

Allegedly it can be found for download out there if you know where to look.

I know ancestry is expensive but to me it's been worthwhile as through it, i've gotten in touch with a cousin and a side of the family i never knew existed thanks to the function that looks for matches in other peoples family trees that have been posted.

The 1700s and further back is when it gets tricky, still a long way to go with the digitizing of parish records but we'll get there.