Kendall Hulet, at Ancestry.com, announced today that Family Tree Maker isn’t dead after all. He also commented to the media community that “contracts hadn’t been signed yet,” and that this is the reason that they earlier announced that they were “stopping Family Tree Maker,” while leaving no other options for users.
Ancestry isn’t run by a bunch of amateurs, and I find it hard to believe that they would do something so absolutely stupid as making that December announcement, while in negotiations with MacKiev and RootsMagic. But that’s what they did – angering thousands of users. Maybe the “end of year” 2015 and deadlines imposed thereby had something to do with it. No matter what Ancestry may have done earlier, I’m just thrilled with the changes that are now taking place!
Now – the good part!
MacKiev will continue to produce Family Tree Maker for Mac – and take on Family Tree Maker for Windows as well.
EVEN BETTER YET!
Bruce Buzbee, at RootsMagic, was able to cut a deal with Ancestry, allowing RootsMagic to have the same functionality as deals with Ancestry.com that Family Tree Maker has. They have announced that we will be able “to connect Ancestry with the RootsMagic software by the end of 2016. With this new relationship, RootsMagic can serve as your desktop family tree software, while having access to Ancestry hints, Ancestry searches, and the ability to save your tree on Ancestry.” Why so long? I’m guessing that an API has to be produced to allow Ancestry.com to sync their online data to RootsMagic. I’m absolutely thrilled that this is happening, for up until now, Ancestry hasn’t been willing to share the code with RootMagic that would allow them any interface whatsoever with the Ancestry.com Family Tree data.
So – this is a good day for both Family Tree Maker as well as RootsMagic users!
Following is the press release from Ancestry.com:
Since our Family Tree Maker announcement last December, we have continued to actively explore ways to develop and support Family Tree Maker and ensure you have choices to preserve your work in ways that matter to you.
Today, I am pleased to announce two options for desktop software that will work with Ancestry.
Software MacKiev
Software MacKiev, with whom we have a long-standing relationship, is acquiring the Family Tree Maker software line as publisher for both Mac and Windows versions. Software MacKiev has been the developer of Family Tree Maker for Mac for more than six years and is thrilled at the opportunity to publish future versions of Family Tree Maker for Mac and Windows.This new agreement means you will receive software updates and new versions from Software MacKiev, and have the ability to purchase new versions of Family Tree Maker from Software MacKiev as they are released. You will have continued access to Ancestry Hints, Ancestry searches, and be able to save your tree on Ancestry with Family Tree Maker moving forward.
RootsMagic
We have made an agreement with RootsMagic, a leading genealogy desktop software program publisher, to connect Ancestry with the RootsMagic software by the end of 2016. With this new relationship, RootsMagic can serve as your desktop family tree software, while having access to Ancestry hints, Ancestry searches, and the ability to save your tree on Ancestry.We have heard your concerns and are working to provide the solutions you requested. These new agreements will make it possible to preserve your work on Ancestry and Family Tree Maker and enable future features and benefits to help you discover your family history. Be assured that Ancestry, in cooperation with Software MacKiev and RootsMagic, will continue to support you as you discover your family history.
We ask for your patience as we work diligently through all the details to make these solutions available. Be sure to check back on our blog as we share more information about Family Tree Maker in the next few months.
For more information on Software MacKiev and RootsMagic, click below:
● Software MacKiev: http://www.mackiev.com/
● RootsMagic: http://www.rootsmagic.com/
Click on this link to check out Bruce’s extensive announcement from RootsMagic.
I don’t understand why Family Tree maker can’t be our desktop software. Could you explain? Thank you.
Family Tree Maker works just fine as your desktop software. Now that we know it’s not going away, if I were an FTM user, there’s a good chance I’d stick with it. Personally, I use RootsMagic, but that’s just my choice, as I’ve used it for years, and am comfortable with it.