* Alternatives to Ancestral Sources?

[adastra]

I understand that FH works in conjunction with AS, but I've been using the latter (infrequently, at intervals) and dislike it! Sure, it's freeware, though I'd be happy to donate if I got on with it. I don't: it's clunky, non-intuitive, frustrating etc. Just been trying it again, same problems, go round in circles and it doesn't behave the way I would expect. I'm not doing or expecting anything sophisticated, just trying to use it as a database for the family records I've so far been able to accumulate. Happy to pay for something straightforward, smooth, intuitive... Yes, I am computer literate, first used a PC (not IBM...) over 35 years ago, have used some complex software.
Whar might you recommend?
rgds Adastra

[ColeValleyGirl]

I'm not aware of any alternatives, currently.

When you say 'trying to use it as a database for the family records I've so far been able to accumulate' what exactly are you expecting of it? It does no data storage of its own; it provides a data-entry front end to Family Historian for the most commonly used source types.

[adastra]

I'm not aware of any alternatives, currently.
When you say 'trying to use it as a database for the family records I've so far been able to accumulate' what exactly are you expecting of it? It does no data storage of its own; it provides a data-entry front end to Family Historian for the most commonly used source types.

Thanks, that's helpful. So I've been trying to use it in the wrong way? I had assumed AS was standalone software capable of receiving data and storing that: it was only today when I looked around that I came across this symbiotic relationship it has with FH. But I certainly don't like the way it behaves as a "data storage front end" based on my experience so far. I imagine you assumed I was wondering whether I could use some other software in conjunction with FH, but I was actually looking for recommendations for a unitary, standalone package into which I could insert my data - ideally, something to which I could export the info already in AS, though that's probably too much to hope for...
As you will have realised, I'm a neophyte at genealogy & family databasing! I'm interested, and keen to preserve my family's heritage (hardly any of my relatives seem at all bothered) but it's not a consuming passion and I have limited time/resources to expend on this activity. So something accessible and intuitive is what I need...
Thanks again - Adastra

[jbtapscott]

To re-emphasise the earlier response, AS does not "hold" any data at all - there is no "... info already in AS...". It is merely a front end to the FH database and the applications reporting facilities - some users don't use it at all and input all information directly to FH, while others use it to input some / all data related to Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths, Burials and Census data. On a personal front, I find it an excellent way of ensuring consistency in the way my data is recorded in FH for each of these categories.

[ColeValleyGirl]

If you've been using it to enter data, what Gedcom file have you specified to save the data? You don't have to use FH with AS but you do have to specify a Gedcom file for AS to function.

a unitary, standalone package

Have you tried FH? There's a trial download of FH available at https://www.family-historian.co.uk/down ... -day-trial and it will work with whatever Gedcom file you've created already using AS.

And we're a friendly bunch here and love answering questions about the product!

[adastra]

To re-emphasise the earlier response, AS does not "hold" any data at all - there is no "... info already in AS...". It is merely a front end to the FH database and the applications reporting facilities - some users don't use it at all and input all information directly to FH, while others use it to input some / all data related to Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths, Burials and Census data. On a personal front, I find it an excellent way of ensuring consistency in the way my data is recorded in FH for each of these categories.

Thank you, Brent. In my naïvety I had thought there seemed to be rather a lot of my data inputs stored in AS, albeit not in a very helpful or sensible way... But what you say is informative. If others use it as a "front end" presumably they find its interface far more accessible & intuitive than I do...
rgds Adastra

[adastra]

If you've been using it to enter data, what Gedcom file have you specified to save the data? You don't have to use FH with AS but you do have to specify a Gedcom file for AS to function.
Have you tried FH? There's a trial download of FH available at https://www.family-historian.co.uk/down ... -day-trial and it will work with whatever Gedcom file you've created already using AS.

And we're a friendly bunch here and love answering questions about the product!

Helen, that's good to know. I shall look into FH - and yes, I have a Gedcom file, glad to hear that would be compatible.
rgds Adastra

[RSellens]

Hi,
You may want to check out the Knowledge base on this web site, it has some excellent guides to explain what FH itself does, and then how Ancestral Sources is (or can be) used to aid in your data entry, as it appears you may have missed understood the relationship between the tools and what they each actually do.

Richard

[Rusty]

Have you tried Custodian 4? That stores information but doesn't integrate with FH the way that AS does.

[adastra]

Hi,
You may want to check out the Knowledge base on this web site, it has some excellent guides to explain what FH itself does, and then how Ancestral Sources is (or can be) used to aid in your data entry, as it appears you may have missed understood the relationship between the tools and what they each actually do.

Richard

Thanks Richard. I've re-subscribed the trial of FH (had forgotten I tried it a couple of years ago) and have been entering fresh data. On the whole I like it - most certainly in my case, it's hugely more user friendly than Ancestral Sources! I understand that the latter can work in conjunction with FH, but IMO AS is clunky, unsophisticated, non-intuitive and very annoying. FH as a standalone looks the way to go, for me.
rgds Adastra

[adastra]

Have you tried Custodian 4? That stores information but doesn't integrate with FH the way that AS does.

Thanks Rusty - I shall check it out. FH seems on the face of it to suit my way of working and my requirements.
rgds Adastra