Save A Tree - PDF Your Family History Book
I began doing our family genealogy way back in 1994 when Family Tree Maker was just beginning their now legendary genealogy programs. It has been so long ago, and I have updated almost every time they brought out a new version, but one of the things I did with the program was to create a Yates Family Tree book.
My endeavor took many years of research on my own, as well as some additional data from some very generous cousins along the way. I kept it lean on photos, and made it mostly read as a genealogy report. Somewhat dry reading for anyone who didn’t have an interest in names, dates and locations.
It contained several surname branches, which were separated into sub-groups, with a short explanation of the surname origin, etc.. I made it much more labor-intensive than I needed to by printing off all the pages and taking it to a print shop first, and eventually to Kinkos. Part of the reason I did it that way was cost. I didn’t have the money to print off the books and then just advertise them as available. Instead, I sent out announcements first, collected the money, and then went to the printer.
If I had it to do again (and I do need to do one for my husband’s family now), I think I would do a lot of them using Family Tree Maker, but this time I would do them as a PDF file and share them that way. Many more of the family members that would be interested in the information and photos now have computers. I would still have to print of some books for some, but even that would be easier now that I know a little more about where to take it too. We even have a Kinkos in our town now, along with some other printing locations.
Just yesterday, we got a postcard from one of my husband’s cousins who has put together a book about the Benjamin Miller family. I had told her I would be interested in a copy when she got them ready (I don’t remember her telling me that it would be $90!) and so I popped a check in the mail to her today. It was the addendum to her postcard that made me shake my head and chuckle a bit. It said, “It will be finished in about 2 weeks and I have to come up with $12,000 by then”. 
There is no way I would take a chance like that 
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Filed under: Featured Posts, Genealogy
Eeek $12,000!
I started out making notes and moved on to Family Tree Maker when I began my tree in 1997 as my computer was a bit rubbish at the time as well
I’ve now moved on to a UK programme as I found it not very friendly for what I wanted it to do. I use RootsMagic, which I’m quite liking at the moment. Might change again to something else soon though…
Hello…Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts ! it was a great Monday
Ann Magnuson’s last blog post..Ann Magnuson Live at the Great American Music Hall
Hi there I stumbled across your site and took the opertunity to have a read and click on some of your links you have here . I find family history so fasinating that any new information on what books and information that will help me put my family tree together is a greatful help … thanks xxxx
Hey there,
Out of the software you’ve mentioned, I’ve only used Family Tree maker. It’s pretty straight forward - my mother-in-law has even took a liking to it. Not that expensive either. I’ll have to check into the other stuff.
Nice post!
Rick
This is a really nice .
Family Tree Maker! what a great idea.
I like it
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