IRISHROOTS  This program continues to have some very nice/neat features. I have written a previous review by which I still stand. After 1 year, some of the relationships are still incorrect. MFT is too busy working on newer features rather than fixing things that need to be fixed. Seems to me if you are going to create a genealogy program, you might want to get the relationships correct at the front end. There is certainly is standard for relationships. I have tow other different programs and they relationships are different than MFT. Don't care for ancestor and descendant report as looks like they just threw it together and this is what you get. They have severa nice reports, but the kinship report is inaccurate due to the wrong relationships. Nice charts, support is generally very helpful (unless you are trying to get them to correct the relationships) nice people, decent thread support from other users.  
(Version 5.6.4)

MARVINY  Finally a good modern genealogy application for Mac OS X. The developer is very responsive and the frequent updates with new functions are great. I'd love to have narrative reports in future versions, the developer said that they will be available in the next months. Well worth the money.  
(Version 5.5.3)

IRISHROOTS  The program has many neat features and charts and has continued to improve, but lacks basics, such as reports. No ancestor or descendant report which pretty much comes as with any genealogy program. These reports have been asked for since 2007 according to threads. Kinship and person report are still inaccurate as it shows individuals as 2nd aunts and uncles who are not; they are cousins one/two generation removed as well as other inaccuracies. They should get rid of terms such as aunt in law, cousin in law, etc as they are not recognized as such. Still debating whether to dump it and get Reunion or stick it out.  
(Version 5.5b3)

MYSTERY TRAMP  This is a very nice upgrade. The Web pages it creates are among the best I've seen. The virtual globe function might finally live up to its promise. It already is probably the best genealogical product to handle photos. It's one weakness is it could use more data-handling tools.

Otherwise, a fine update to a decent product.

mt  
(Version 5.4)

NICALAND  I could use it, but when I tried to send it to my parents they had problems with it... I agree about the lack of a manual..  
(Version 5.3.9)

KOG  Is version 5 of MacFamilyTree translated into the same languages as version 4?  
(Version 5.3.7)

JADCO  The current version of MacFamily Tree (5.3.7) now includes a better manual (though it could still be more comprehensive). And uploading to MobileMe now works perfectly. I’m very happy with this software - it has a bit of a learning curve with a little patience has me feeling very confident with it now, after a few days.  
(Version 5.3.7)

WEN  Having recently moved from PC to MAC, I'm searching for genealogy software that performs like FamilyTreeMaker2009. The one thing that seems lacking in all the MAC software is a web search feature built into the program. Anyone know of a MAC software program that has that feature?

wen  
(Version 5.3.4)

JAZZLUV  I think this is a wonderful app - but i am really getting sick of such frequent updates - think I'll just check what we're up to once every couple of weeks!!  
(Version 5.3rc4)

SCOTTDB  As a frequent MacUpdate visitor, I see the app listed several times per week.

I always appreciate a diligent developer who updates their products regularly, but does a genealogy application really need to be updated three times per week?

Sometimes, it seems more like an effort for free publicity, than anything else.  
(Version 5.2.1)

IMPISH  Is there any sign of a User's Guide yet?

The lack of documentation is MacFmilyTree's biggest weakness, and I note they did not include any mention of it in their "What should we do next?" poll.

please, Please, PLEASE produce a complete User's Guide!  
(Version 5.2)

IULIA IMPERATRIX  Very good program, easy to use, even with large files. The only problem would be with BC dates, but it's not really what most people use it for :) so it's really, really good.  
(Version 5.2b7)

DERBIL666  I have been using MacFamilyTree since version 4 and have never had any problems with it. This new version is a vast improvement and the addition of the virtual 3D tree really does take it to the next level.

If your wanting a good, stable genealogy program with 'that mac feel' then you need this software.   
(Version 5.2b2)

MORNINGSTARR  I purchased MacFamilyTree in the hopes of being able to continue my intermittent research of my family. I recently switched to MAC and PAF is not available. I had hopes that this program would help me continue. However, I'm vastly disappointed. The graphics are really good, but what good is that if you can't work with the data?

I have tried every which way I can to merge a new GED file with my main file, but so far I believe I will have to type in the entries one at a time. Although this was not perfect in PAF, the program was useful in searching out duplicate entries and giving you the opportunity to merge some data while passing other data by.

It is obvious to me that this software will be useless in any serious researcher let alone a part timer like myself. I would much prefer a more robust program without all the fancy bells and whistles.  
(Version 5.1.5)

MYSTERY TRAMP  Great interface. Among the best in this class of software.

Great handling of photos, movies, PDFs, etc. which can be attached to people, families, events, wherever. Far better than most other programs I've seen.

Lack of a manual a problem, but the message board at Synium.de is fairly active with users who can answer most questions.  
(Version 5.1.5)

ED0815  In my opinion the best program around; no hassle install, intuitive to use, nice graphics, loads of features; highly recommended; personally i could use a tree type family chart, which is still missing.  
(Version 5.1.5)

IMPISH  MFT's biggest weakness is its lack of documentation. Synium continues to say they are working on it, but I'm beginning to have my doubts.  
(Version 5.1.2)

STEVE BUK  Geanealogy is one of my main hobbies, so I am always on the lookout for good software. MacFamily tree falls short in a number of areas: it does not seem to handle GEDCOM files from other software well and loses data.

The map feature is not very practical. Above all it is built around a "family view" rather than the history of a person. In my view iFamilyforTiger (which does work for Leopard) remains the best choice for the serious family historian, with great functionality and continous improvement based on user requests.  
(Version 5.0.11)

MGLAMB  I purchased this application over 3 months ago and would really like to use it, but it is unable to import my 71,000 record GEDCOM file. I have had numerous conversations with the developer about this, but they are unable to solve my issue. They claim that it is due to a bug in Apple's Core Data; that may be, but they should not have advertised that version 5 could handle very large data files if it actually can't. Although the developer has been very willing to exchange emails with me, he has ignored my requests for a refund. Since I cannot use his product, I feel that a refund is the only ethical thing for him to do, but obviously he feels otherwise.

BTW, my GEDCOM file works fine in other Win and Mac applications, just not this one. Caveat Emptor.  
(Version 5.0.7)

SYNIUM SOFTWARE GMBH  Thanks for your favorable review! We're working hard to get the last bunch of bugs fixed, a new version will be available very soon that fixes most of the remaining bugs  
(Version 5.0.1)

IDJSTER  As far as using genealogy apps in the OS X environment I've pretty much tried them all looking for the one that was the best fit of functionality and usefulness for me. While I liked the previous version of MacFamilyTree and had settled on it (despite purchasing others in the never ending quest...) I think that this new upgrade is a quantum leap forward for the application. It has made data entry so much easier and so far has worked almost perfectly, with only a few little glitches that are normal for a new release and which the author seems to be eager to fix. The bulk of my data entry was done in the previous version and imported perfectly. Wonderful app, great work! Well worth the upgrade price.  
(Version 5.0.1)

EDMUNDRUSH  I would buy V. 5 just for the globe feature -- if it worked. I exported GEDCOM from Heredis, then imported that into demo MacFamilyTree 5.0.1. I used the Special --> Find Missing Coordinates... command to fetch longitude and latitude, but none got fetched. I imported a different GEDCOM that someone had sent to me, and MFT fetched a few -- only some nations and states, no cities or counties -- and those few were wrong. The globe then showed NC near Bucharest, "ARK" in Russia, and "VA" near Shiraz, Iran.  
(Version 5.0.1)

PILK  The leap from v.4 tp v.5b is outstanding. My Ged file imported with no difficulty and everything was in good working order (apart from pictures with my sources, but I don't think they were done right to start with). Just a few niggles. There is no ability (or I havn't found one yet) to make source pictures larger. I have a lot of census returns stored on my computer and really need to zoom in to see the writing, but even with the picture at it's largest in source view mode I can't make out any of the writing. A zoom feature would be great for this.

Also the 3D globe is a great addition, but a really strange thing happens on mine. It takes the interface and wraps that around the globe. It still has place markers on, but I can see the side menu bar wrapped around with the globe repeating itself in the middle.

Apart from that the UI is amazing and the overall experience of inputting information about family members has been simplified to near perfection. Fantastic. Well worth the upgrade fee.   
(Version 5.0b1)

SYZERGY  I´ve been using MFT since 2002 in order to manage my ancestors. Version 5 clearly outperforms Version 3 and 4. The UI has been improved a lot and the new family views help finding persons a lot faster. For a beta version mft 5 is really stable.  
(Version 5.0b1)

DAVID GILMARTIN  Regarding statement that "new" in version 4.5 is "new report 'Birthdays', showing all persons with birthdays within the next 12 month," I want to ask what is so great about this? Every person will have a birthday within the next 12 months--except those born on February 29th!!  
(Version 4.5)

DRKILMER  Does anybody know if this program can import info from my old Mac Paf program?? I'd love to try iy, but I hate the thought od having to re enter my thousands of data entries.  
(Version 4.4)

KOMLOR  How do you find latitude and Longitude for your cities. Do i have to do a Web search  
(Version 4.3.2)

JAMES NESTINGEN  Everything works again after downloading re-posted update.

Photos, video and sound recordings easily integrated with iLife. Publishing to the web via .Mac iDisk is simple.

Fast, on-line help and forums.

This software has it all!  
(Version 4.2.11)

JAMES NESTINGEN  Have used MFT for about a year. Love it.

But installed 4.2.11 and can no longer open my family tree.  
(Version 4.2.11)

POCKETSIZESUN  Not sure if it just the German version: but for Longtitude, it shows West and East, and for Latitude North and South...

I first entered my data according to those (East and North) and already wondered wy East/West came first... but these showed the events in a totally wrong place! I then switched the two and everything shows ok.

You should really fix that!

Oh, and I'm still waiting for a inside-the-app-mini-place-database, because I don't want to enter the coordinates for each of a few hundred events. I guess I could write my own mini-app for that, since the GEDCOM format seems to be easy, but I really would prefer the comfort of doing it inside the app ;)  
(Version 4.2.2)

ANONYMOUS  Wonder if you get the data onto an iPod ????  
(Version 4.2b3)

ANONYMOUS  I'm having some trouble with the world map. None of the events come up on it. I can get the map up but no cities are displayed on it or the locations of events from my family. Im using b3 at the moment.

Can anyone help, its a great feture and I want to be able to use it properly.   
(Version 4.2b3)

ANONYMOUS  Skip, http://www.macgenealogy.org/ has some recent screenshots - you might check your family card against their screenshots (if they have one of the family card).

I'm curious about this as well. I'll download beta 3 and see if they've changed.  
(Version 4.2b3)

ANONYMOUS  Imho for existing users, the worldmap only makes sense if you can globally add coordinates for specific towns, to update a bunch at once.

Because I have about 200 people, most with three or more events, living in 2 or 3 towns mostly... but updating ~ 600 coordinates is something I definitively don't want to do if a future makro could do it within a few seconds ;)  
(Version 4.2b2)

SKIP  Sorry I forgot to mention, that I would also like it to tie into iCal so I could be warned of upcoming family events.

Also How do you handle step relationships to the rest of the family? i.e. Step parents, children, brothers and sisters.  
(Version 4.2b2)

SKIP  No family listings show on my World Map and for some reason always starts me on a close up of Alaska. I think it would be better if it started on my home and then I can zoom in and out to other families home location.

My Family card looks nothing like the one shown as a screen shot. Am I not clicking something correctly?

I would love if this would sync or tie into my Apple address book. This would save having to do double entry work.

I used Reunion 8 for a long time and I am finding that I am liking MFT more and more. But please look at Reunion to see what features you might be able to incorporate.  
(Version 4.2b2)

OAW  Well this software is definitely improving, but it's not quite there yet. I see the developer implemented my suggestion of showing HOW people are related ... partially. The Quick Navigation view is really nice and shows the parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, and children of the selected person (related by blood). This is a really cool feature! However, it does not go far enough. I don't think this feature needs to change because you can't show every single relation on a graph due to space considerations. However, a report can do this. What I need in addition to this is a report that shows ALL the relatives of the selected person. The "View - Summary" report is a good start .. but it just doesn't go far enough. Currently, it only shows the Parents, Relations, and Children. If it could show ALL relatives ... Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Great Great Grandparents, Sisters, Brothers, Half-Sisters, Half-Brothers, Step-Sisters, Step-Brothers, Uncles, Aunts, Great Uncles, Great Aunts, First Cousins, Second Cousins, First Cousins Once Removed, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, etc. on this report that would be WONDERFUL! Better yet, to make it PERFECT the user should be able to specify which relationships to include and how many generations to include in the preferences for this report. The information is already in the database. It just needs to be displayed on the report to make it EASY for the user to identify how people are related to each other.

Give me this feature and you have a customer!  
(Version 4.2b1)

POCKETSIZESUN  Have been working with this for months now, and want to add a few feature requests.

1. I add sources for all the data I enter. And it's really annoying that every time I add a source, the first source available is added and I've got to change it. Why not pre-select the previously chosen source whenever a new source is added to a person/event?

2. Having sources for each event is great, but it would be even better to have some kind of sub-identifier to store the page or database/registry id.

3. There's a field "Tempel" (probably Church in english, though in german the word Kirche would fit better than Tempel), but it's greyed out - I can't use it. Why? Most of the data I currently enter has this kind of information!

But besides those minor things, I'm very glad about each update, which usually brings at least one useful new feature.  
(Version 4.1.7)

WENDY HODGDEN  I have a question. How easy is it to transfer gedcom files over from Familytreemaker to this. I have a huge data base on Familytreemaker (over 3,000) and just wonder if it all can be transfered to this? Need to know before I buy this.

Wendy  
(Version 4.1.6)

ANONYMOUS  I've used this software for quite a while now. I find it very easy to use and I like the export and reporting elements. Nice software.....I look forward to each new release.  
(Version 4.1.6)

DOLPHINBOY2U  Hmmm. I drag the folder from the dmg to my desktop. I zip archive it (using Apple's built-in archive function). When I unzip it again, I get an error message, specifically this: (Error 20 - Not an archive).

Well, I've archived a LOT of files and folders over the years, but this is the first time I've experienced this particular problem. And it's a serious one, at least for me. Any ideas about this, Mr. Developer?  
(Version 4.1.6)

DEUS  The main thing I don't like with this program is the interface. It's just not intuitive. I much prefer Heredis. http://myheredis.com/

It works well with the Mac (obviously..), has beautiful trees and charts, makes a web site for you but most importantly, it's easy, beautiful and intuitivve when it come to putting stuf in.  
(Version 4.1.6)

OAW  Unfortunately it doesn't appear that my earlier suggestion about identifying HOW people are related to each other was implemented in this new release. While this is a nice app, I can't see dropping this kind of money for a genealogy program that can't do something as obvious as listing a selected person's relatives and the nature of the relationship (i.e. mother, father, grandparent, 1st cousin, 2nd cousin, aunt, uncle, etc.) I mean video and audio support is cool ... but it's definitely a letdown when such a basic feature continues to be overlooked.

The bottom line is that with this app you can load up a huge database of family members and generate all kinds of pretty graphs and charts which is all fine and good ... but if a distant relative comes up to you at a family reunion and asks "Now how am I related to John sitting over there?" ... this app doesn't do a a whole lot to help you QUICKLY AND EASILY answer that question.  
(Version 4.1)

KCMAC  If you could combine the charts from MacFamilyTree with everything else about Reunion 8, you would have the uber app.

MacFamilyTree just simply lacks the intuitive feel and ease of adding information that Reunion 8 delivers.   
(Version 4.0.12)

OAW  It would be nice if this program had the ability to list all relatives of a selected individual and identify how they are related. I.e. Mother, Father, Sibling, Grandfather, Great-Grandmother, 1st Cousin, 2nd Cousin Once Removed, etc. This would be so handy at a family gathering when the question is asked "Exactly how are we related?" Reunion 8 can do this but it has such an Classic Mac OS interface and it seems overly bloated and complex. I like the simplicity of MacFamilyTree and the OS X look and feel, but this seems like a major oversight in a genealogy program. It's not just about entering data and producing family trees. Once this feature is added I will gladly purchase this product.  
(Version 4.0.10)

LEE  Could someone please tell me how to use the date format option. Its says that my Great X2 Grandmother was 5 when she died....she was really 87!

Otherwise a fantastic programme, bit annoyed that you can only view 32 generations on the family tree. I've got loads more.  
(Version 4.0.9)

CHOOSER  Could not launch v.4.0.6 at all (MacOSX 10.3.5). Only receive "Application crashed" message everytime :(  
(Version 4.0.6)

GRUNT  About 5 minutes after having downloaded this app, I instantly purchased it. It is written in cocoa, has an advanced user interface and is exactly what I was looking for. No bugs so far, everything works out fine and better than in version 3. A little bit more expensive, well, who cares. It's really worth that. Functions are pleasant, stability excellent.  
(Version 4.0)

GENE  The new version seems to be better in every aspect. Seems to be written in cocoa now.

But it got more expensive than the previous version, although other apps are even more expensive  
(Version 4.0)

ANONYMOUS  Demo Version crashed and lost all data. It's no reccomendation to buy the software.  
(Version 3.6.7)

ALEXMATHEW  Great imnprovements in 3.6.3.

HTML Export - yes!!

It would be nice to show the Print formats so that one can make judgments on the output.

Thanks for listening!  
(Version 3.6.3)

ALEXMATHEW  Nice app - imported my Gene exported GEDCOM file without much problems. I like the GEDCOM native format. I may use it - but I am still looking for:

1. Software that links to a public/password protected web site. So that family trees can be shared. (First HTML export is needed)

2. Drag & Drop of Cards in tree.

If I dont find one soon - this app might be my replacement for Gene.

AM  
(Version 3.6.1)

STEFAN SICURELLA  There will be some kind of tree view in one of the next version.... but let us finish 3.6 first !  
(Version 3.6b2)

J ALANIZ  This is NOT very good for displaying on the web. Its great to look at from your home computer, but when you EXPORT TO HTML, then all you get is a list of just the names. The "tree" is not displayed. I am disappointed in this product - and I paid for the darn registration code. Shame on me.  
(Version 3.5.3)

MICHAEL ISHII  Is it just me, or is the homepage.mac.com download site not accessible? I've tried a few times over the past week.  
(Version 3.5.2)

TOM  This is the easiest to use genealogy software so far!  
(Version 3.4)

WILLIAM  I have this but can not open I have a code when I enter the code This is what come up wrong Code I checked with Kige , still can not open  
(Version 3.0.6)

ANONYMOUS  Great piece of software, works as advertised. And it is very affordable!  
(Version 3.0.3)

MACGEN  Nice and fast! Reads my GEDCOM file from Reunion without a problem.  
(Version 3.0.3)