Genealogy software

Although you can organize your family information on paper forms called family group sheets, doing it on a computer allows instant access and searchability. Here are some of the most popular software choices:

• Family Tree Maker is one of the oldest and most popular computer genealogy programs available for PC, and will organize, print and display multiple kinds of reports, family group sheets and lists. A free starter version is available for download; regular version is $19.99 from www.familytreemaker.com.

• Legacy is another popular PC genealogy software that can also handle multiple report types. It’s available as a free download or as a deluxe version for $59.

• Reunion For Macs by Leister Productions is far and away the most popular genealogy program for the Mac. It organizes family files into a searchable database, prints family groups, complete family trees, and several types of multi-generational family histories in most major word processing formats. List price is $99 from www.leisterpro.com.

Rick McDaniel of Asheville is a freelance writer. E-mail him at southerncooking@charter.net.