Family Historian User Group

I'd like to create maps showing where my ancestors were born, where they lived, migration roots etc.  There are several software packages available but none provide demo versions so it's difficult to decide which to buy.  Is there a particular package anyone would recommend?

Many thanks.

Lindsey

ID:2330

I bought both Family Atlas and Map my Family Tree, I fouund family atlas to be the more intuative in use, although recent fixes for Map My Family Tree have improved it.

Family Atlas worked well with my FH gedcom and produced some interesting maps, I like the fact you can map different events and select time spans.

Google Maps has a brilliant 'My Maps' option where you can create and save maps of locations worldwide, add markers and notes, and view in map view, satellite view or combine the two in a hybrid view. Obviously these are present day maps rather than historical ones.

Thanks for the recommendation Jane, those are two of the applications I've been considering. I particularly like the idea of being able to select time spans, making Family Atlas look the more promising of the two.

Thanks also Arishmell for pointing out the 'My Maps' option on Google Maps - I didn't realise this was available. It sounds particularly useful for plotting present-day events on a map.

Regards

Lindsey

Also have a look at Google Earth (you need a reasonably modern computer) - you can bookmark places and save snapshots as well (provided the sattelite has taken a decent enough photo). I've done that with my Uk relies

Jane's Ancestors exported using Family Altas.


One of the best bits is the time slider so you can show events in different date windows so see how the family spreadout or came together over time.

Hi
can Family Atlas be purchased as a download

Thank You
David

Jane said:
Jane's Ancestors exported using Family Altas.


One of the best bits is the time slider so you can show events in different date windows so see how the family spreadout or came together over time.

Jane, many thanks for posting an example from Family Atlas. I've just ordered a copy, can't wait for it to arrive [smile]

Regards

Lindsey

David said:
Hi
can Family Atlas be purchased as a download

Thank You
David

Hi David

Unfortunately Family Atlas can't be purchased as a download, you have to order it on CD. I've just ordered a copy online - you can find the appropriate web site by Googling for Family Atlas.

Regards

Lindsey

I seem to remember mine came quite quickly even from the States. I think the reason you can't buy a download is the size of the Map database about 200Mb I think.

You can also get it from S&N in the UK, but it's cheaper direct from Roots Magic as the dollar price is $29.95 plus $10 shipping and from S&N its £29.95 plus £2.95 shipping

Many Thanks[wink]

Whilst looking for Family Atlas I came across genmap which is still on sale, though no updates since 2002. Has anyone used this latter product?

It does work OK, but is now very dated, it does do some interesting density maps from memory. I think it's also only really any good if you want to do the UK.

Not used it much, but my friend has a copy.

Thanks for the prod. [smile]

I've ordered a copy from the States.

Just treated myself to Family Atlas at the Bracknell FH Fair - so far pretty impressed with it; the import of my FH gedcom file threw up around 100 location questions, most of which were me being sloppy so have prompted me to fix the originals in FH.

I also downloaded the update which gives me the timeline graph which really makes this work.

Do any of these mapping packages allow you to define your own maps (e.g. from historic maps of a small town, scanned, with known lat/long at certain points)

Graham