This update is important because FamilySearch will be making changes Monday morning (at midnight) which will cause previous versions of RootsMagic to be unable to connect to FamilySearch. We encourage anybody using RootsMagic with FamilySearch to download this update as soon as possible so that they may continue to enjoy our FamilySearch features.
RootsMagic becomes First Genealogy Software to Automatically Match People with FamilySearch
SPRINGVILLE, Utah. — March 26, 2009 — RootsMagic, Inc. announced the immediate availability of an update to their RootsMagic 4 and RootsMagic Essentials genealogy software which includes a new "AutoMatch" feature. They become the first- and currently the only- genealogy software to offer this feature.
Time Saving
As FamilySearch certified software, RootsMagic and RootsMagic Essentials both allow you to share information to and from new FamilySearch as well as find and reserve incomplete temple ordinances for ancestors. In order to do any of this for a person, you must first match the person in your own file with the same person in the new FamilySearch system. In the past, a user was required to find a match for each person one-at-a-time, person-by-person.
"Our users told us that this was one of the more time-consuming aspects of working with new FamilySearch," explained Bruce Buzbee, president of RootsMagic, Inc. "If you had an average-sized file with 6000 people, it may take you several days of repetitive work just to match each one up with new FamilySearch. People want to be able to jump in and actually work with new FamilySearch and matching by hand was always a tedious first step." Buzbee added, "The new AutoMatch feature does most of this grunt work for you so you can just begin sharing data about your ancestors."
RootsMagic developed the AutoMatch feature over weeks of experimentation and guidance from FamilySearch. The AutoMatch examines each person in your RootsMagic file, searches the FamilySearch database for the person, and after carefully comparing them, matches them together if they are the same; all without requiring user intervention. "What used to take days of manual work is now done automatically in only a few hours," said Buzbee. "You can start the AutoMatch, leave it running while you do something else, and return later to find most of the matches found." Although the match is made automatically, no actual data is transferred without the user requesting it.
Important Update
In addition to the new AutoMatch feature, this update is required for RootsMagic to continue working with new FamilySearch. In the near future, changes made to FamilySearch will prevent versions of RootsMagic and RootsMagic Essentials prior to this update from connecting with FamilySearch. "We encourage anybody using our software with FamilySearch to download this update as soon as possible so that they may continue to enjoy our FamilySearch features," said Michael Booth, vice-president. "Installing the update now will make sure you have a seamless transition as FamilySearch continues to grow and evolve. Plus you'll get the AutoMatch which is worth the effort of the update by itself."
FamilySearch Made Easy
"We're thrilled to be the first software to offer a feature like 'AutoMatch'," said Booth. "We're sure our users will be just as excited to use it." Buzbee added, "Our mission is, 'Family History Made Easy', and that is exactly what this is. The AutoMatch feature solves a big problem for every person that uses genealogy software with FamilySearch."
RootsMagic also simplifies other tasks when working with New FamilySearch. RootsMagic 4 received awards for "Easiest to Sync" and "Best Dashboard" at the 2009 FamilySearch Developer Awards. Video tutorials, demonstrating how easy it is to work with New FamilySearch using RootsMagic 4 are available at http://www.rootsmagic.com/fs.
Free and Available Now
AutoMatch is included in RootsMagic Essentials, free genealogy software which includes all of the FamilySearch features. It is available for download at http://www.rootsmagic.com/essentials.
Current users of RootsMagic 4 and RootsMagic Essentials may update their software for free at http://www.rootsmagic.com/updates.
Users of other genealogy software products will find it easy to experiment with RootsMagic using their own data. RootsMagic can directly import data from PAF, Family Tree Maker (through 2006), Family Origins, and Legacy Family Tree. It can also read data using the popular GEDCOM format.
About RootsMagic, Inc.
For over 20 years, RootsMagic, Inc. has been creating computer software with a special purpose- to unite families. One of our earliest products- the popular "Family Origins" software, introduced thousands of people to the joy and excitement of family history.
That tradition continues today with "RootsMagic", our award-winning genealogy software which makes researching, organizing, and sharing your family history fun and easy. "Personal Historian" will help you easily write and preserve your life stories. "Family Reunion Organizer" takes the headaches out of planning those important get-togethers. And "Family Atlas" creates beautiful and educational geographic maps of your family history.
For more information, visit http://www.rootsmagic.com.
1 comment:
This sounds like an exciting update at face value, but I am a very skeptical user. I find that newFamilySearch and the associated programs like Ancestral Quest, Roots Magic, Family Insight and LegacyFS are so full of bugs and tedius work that I have quit using them. Okay, that is too extreme. I use nFS all the time to prepare temple names and for that it is more than 10x better than anything else we have had.
My complaint is that the software made for it is buggy and the website itself is not inviting for the average genealogist or non-genealogist. I have used nFS features on RM4 and AQ. AQ has always had an automatic sync capability wince 12.1 came out so I do not know what RM4 is trying to say.
This "never before seen" feature of AutoMatch sounds a lot like the auto synch of AQ 12.1
Still I don't recommend doing any of this. Just stick to using nFS name by name to do temple work and link your pedigree on the site. Eventually the site will be better.
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