RootsMagic Reviewer's Comments

RootsMagic is a solid program with an intuitive interface and a simple navigation, winning “TopTenREVIEWS’ Bronze Award.” It’s good for beginners who will appreciate the SourceWizard to format sources consistently and the Home Page Wizard to easily create pages for the Web. If you want mapping, research and event management capabilities, compatible programs may be purchased on their website. 

Feature Set:  

The edit screen allows you to add an unlimited number of facts for every person. You’ll find Bar Mitzvah, Blessing and Birth; Education, Election and Excommunication. Can’t find the fact you need? Add your own. Define its name, how it should be used in a sentence for later narrative reports, and which reports it should be included in. You’ll have to check your work by running a Problem Search—find it under Tools. It will catch relationship problems, but missed typographical errors.

Sourcing each fact is critical to thorough research. RootsMagic has a SourceWizard to prompt accurate and complete source entries. Once you’ve selected the source type, SourceWizard will bring up fields complete with examples of how each should be completed. Helpful for the novice or the more experienced genealogist faced with an unfamiliar source type. You can add unlimited source citations to each fact and easily apply one source to multiple facts.

Once you have completed your address book, send an email with one click. Apply basic edits to photos where they will be available for use in reports and charts.

You’ll want to try GenSmarts, a guided research program that automatically integrates with RootsMagic. This program will suggest sources for additional information about designated individuals. Icons indicate whether the source is free or not. Once you’ve downloaded the trial or have purchased GenSmarts, find it under the Tools menu. 

Ease of Use:  

Importing and data entry are problem free and the workspace is limited to three views: pedigree, family and descendants. Deceptively simple. RootsMagic Explorer, a fundamental tool in RootsMagic, requires an understanding of logic which may prove challenging. Note: this function is for searching within your family tree, useful for trees with many documented members.

Outside research: you have several options. Use Search at the top of your screen to select an Internet search (six sites available) or an IGI (International Genealogical Index) search through Family Search, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Or, if you have installed GenSmarts, go to Tools and search from there. 

Reporting & Publishing:  

Here you’ll find a wide array of options clearly presented. Generate pedigree charts, family group sheets, narrative reports, individual summaries, blank forms, and more. Decorative charts like fan charts and large formats can be printed through PrintMyChart.com, RootsMagic’s online partner. Compile reports into a book with the Publisher function. 

Help/Documentation:  

RootsMagic has an adequate Help section. They offer Help Topics: Search and Find, Check for Updates and FAQs. For Tech Support, use the online form. 

Summary:  

RootsMagic is a good program, especially for beginners. Product development is less aggressive than our top two ranked products, so you won’t find innovative features and intuitive navigation once you begin your research. Brace yourself. You’ll need some technical language at your disposal to run more complex searches within your tree. Look to TopTenREVIEWS’ top products: more features, easier to use.