The Master Genealogist Reviewer's Comments

The Master Genealogist (TMG) is a career genealogist’s tool offering more built-in functions and links to online sources than other programs. The layout is intuitive and there are plenty of useful icons, but be prepared to learn the technical language of genealogy and be thoroughly comfortable with manipulating multiple databases. If you’re tackling genealogy with the discipline of a statistician, The Master Genealogist is your program. 

Feature Set:  

TMG is designed to manage volumes of research data, photos, and sources. As you enter family members, you can assign tags to each. In other programs these are facts or events. You’ll find over 100 Source Types to choose and edit.

Once you have entered the information you have, the real work begins. Look under Web, Other Sites and TMG links to nine research sites. Over time, add your own to this list. TMG does not have an integrated database like some of the other programs.

Customize searches within your tree by using a variety of filters. Picklist is the quick search method for finding a specified person and Project Explorer will perform more complex searches for groups of people.

See your ancestors in the context of history. The Master Genealogist includes a grab bag of historical events contributed by users. Overlay Cheyenne History, Composers from Mediaeval to Modern and World-Wide Epidemics. You can edit any of the timelines and add your own.

Ease of Use:  

This is a complex program, which relies on outdated design. Simple modifications like using conversational labels and language, and providing preview narratives in source code edits rather than the computer coding, would make TMG much easier to use without sacrificing its power. 

Reporting & Publishing:  

The Master Genealogist has one of the most extensive report menus available. Experts will be happy to see Ahnentafel charts, Kinship Reports, Fan Charts and all of the standard reports and charts. The Book Manager will generate a compilation of specific reports.  Output is limited: printer or save to disk.

Bonus FeatureRun a Statistical Report to compare any group within your family to another group, males versus females or one family to another. You’ll see average age at first marriage, first and last child, and death. 

Help/Documentation:  

The Master Genealogist includes an extensive help section searchable by topic and word. It is as technical as the program. You’ll also find Tips and Hints, link to an Online Guided Tour and FAQs. Find Tech Support online through email or telephone. 

Summary:  

The Master Genealogist is designed for only the most serious genealogists who approach family history with discipline and hi-tech skills. This is not a family friendly program: heirloom projects give way to statistical reports. There are higher ranked programs on our TopTenREVIEWS’ chart that are powerful, easy to use and inviting.