Using a Pocket PC for Keeping Track of the Family Tree (Genealogy)

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/broomfield_home_life/article/0,1713,BDC_11938_2688151,00.html' target='_blank'>http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/broo...2688151,00.html</a><br /><br /></div>"I recently spent a week in Kansas researching at the Kansas State Historical Society. Like many institutions, KSHS limits what can be brought into the research room to a few papers, pencil and a computer. A pocket PC or any handheld computer devise has many advantages over a laptop computer when researching away from home. A pocket PC is small and light, most fit in a pocket; fast, instantly on and off, there is no need to keep it on constantly so the battery lasts all day; and they are relatively inexpensive with programs that are reasonably priced. There are different types of pocket PC programs that can be used for genealogy. Below are examples of programs that I have found useful. These examples are not the only or necessarily the best programs, they are simply the ones that I prefer."<br /><br />Do use your Pocket PC for keeping track of your family tree? Genealogy is something that holds a great deal of interest to me, but I have yet to make time in my life for it. If this is something that you're into, what sorts of programs and strategies would you recommend to a beginner like myself?

[Don Tolson]

...and not one mention of CEMyFamily (which we reviewed here just a little while ago...)

[Jason Dunn]

...and not one mention of CEMyFamily (which we reviewed here just a little while ago...)

Better point her to our review Don! ;-)

[sualeh]

The best one by far (IMO):

Pocket Genealogist 2.71
http://www.northernhillssoftware.com/pgenie.htm

[BobWitt]

I've purchased an audio tape of a lecture by this Julie Miller - She does a good job of providing a full rounding of the Pocket PC - not just the Genealogy applications...

In her audio tape she does identify CE My Family but has not tried it, although she indicates that she uses PG and has been pleased...

I have corresponded with her - to see if I could get her to 'test drive' CE My Family and provide any feedback...

It is just good to see more press on the usefulness of the Pocket PC platform in this capacity – it is not everyone’s cup of tea. I think Don’s review of CE My Family was the only item to come and go from the front page with NO comments or discussion! A record I can’t say I’m proud of…

Bob Wittmann
dba on eMan software

http://www.cemyfamily.com

[LauraP]

The article in Jason's link is one of the best overviews I've seen on Pocket PC use as it applies to the the average consumer. Lots of useful information, concisely presented. Plus, a Pocket Genealogist mention, which we very much appreciate!

Jason asked --

Do use your Pocket PC for keeping track of your family tree? Genealogy is something that holds a great deal of interest to me, but I have yet to make time in my life for it. If this is something that you're into, what sorts of programs and strategies would you recommend to a beginner like myself?[/quote]

Actually, your best first step is very low tech. Talk to the old ladies in your family and find out who has the records - okay, maybe the guys, too. In my family, the women have been the keepers of the family history, mementos, and stories in past generations. Get that information first while the family elders are still around to interpret the bad handwriting and tell the stories behind the names -- and pass on their datafiles! Sometimes the stories are just entertaining, and sometimes they contain valuable clues that can aid when your research is stalled.

On the tech side, I'd hesitate to recommend one desktop genealogy program over any other because tastes and needs vary. I would, of course, recommend Pocket Genealogist for the Pocket PC :D

LauraP

Northern Hills Software
mailto:[email protected]

Current version is 2.71

[Web Site] http://www.NorthernHillsSoftware.com
http://www.PocketGenealogist.com
[Email] mailto:[email protected]
[Email Group] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pocket_Genealogist

[Magic Speller]

Okay, so where's the review? I missed it the first time around and am having trouble finding it.

It seems that Pocket PC Thoughts' Search function searches on the forums. And after searching through the archives a week at a time, I gave up when I got to the first of the year.

Can anyone tell me where to find the CEMyFamily review?

Thanks.

[BobWitt]

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,14643

[KevinRPhillips]

Keith,

There's also a Pocket Genealogist review on Pocket PC Thoughts but you'll have to look back at least a couple years.

Here's where you can read a review of Pocket Genealogist by Dick Eastman of "Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter"

http://www.northernhillssoftware.com/Eastman.htm

Maybe Don Tolson is up to a head to head comparison between Pocket Genealogist and CE My Family.....

Here's a quick synopsis of features in the "Advanced" version of Pocket Genealogist:

The most extensive data support available in a handheld genealogy program. Supported data types include events, facts, notes, sources, repositories, addresses, to-do lists and LDS Ordinances.



Features include:</p>


- Edit data on the device and export the results to a GEDCOM file on your desktop.</p>


- With this version you can add, edit or delete Individuals, Events. Notes, Facts, Sources, Repositories, Addresses, To Do lists and other data. Some features depend on the availability of that data from your desktop genealogy program.</p>


- Up to 250,000 individuals per database. As many databases as space permits on your device.</p>


- Find Individuals by Given name, Surname, or Location.</p>


- Extensively tested for compatibility with popular desktop genealogy programs including Aldfaer, Family Historian, Family Origins, Family Tree Maker, Genbox Family History, Generations, Heredis, Legacy Family Tree, Personal Ancestral File, ProGen, RootsMagic, The Master Genealogist, Ultimate Family Tree, and others.</p>


- Accepts GEDCOM data transfers.</p>


- Reads Legacy Family Tree databases directly or The Master Genealogist databases using GenBridge(tm) by Wholly Genes Software.</p>


- Reads PAF v5 databases directly using GenBridge (tm) technology by Wholly Genes Software. Requires purchase of GenBridge Add-on from Wholly Genes software</p>


- Easy to use display</p>


- Easy Installation</p>


- Supports all connection types including Serial, USB, and WiFi.</p>


- Detailed downloadable User Guide in Adobe Acrobat format.</p>


- Professional-grade support</p>


- Free program updates for all version 2 releases.</p>


- Free trial before purchase. (fully functional except for limited Field Notes, data entry, and direct import of Legacy and TMG)</p>


- Works with device memory or any type of storage card.</p>


- Language Packs - French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Danish and Norwegian</p>


- Designed to work with Windows CE Version 2.11 or newer (devices manufactured since 1999)</p>


- Fully compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 or XP. </p>


- Data entry using "Field Notes" with ability to view and print the notes on the desktop.</p>


</p>


More information including user guide can be found at http://www.pocketgenealogist.com</p>

Kevin R. Phillips
Northern Hills Software
[email protected]

[Magic Speller]

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,14643

Thanks, Bob.

I'm more than a little concerned that your Web page says that you STILL don't support Windows Mobile 2003! Can you clarify for me, please?

[Magic Speller]

Keith,

There's also a Pocket Genealogist review on Pocket PC Thoughts but you'll have to look back at least a couple years.

Can someone tell me how to find this?

Here's where you can read a review of Pocket Genealogist by Dick Eastman of "Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter"

http://www.northernhillssoftware.com/Eastman.htm

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Maybe Don Tolson is up to a head to head comparison between Pocket Genealogist and CE My Family.....

Good idea. Don?

Here's a quick synopsis of features in the "Advanced" version of Pocket Genealogist:

I have looked through the feature lists on your Web page. It looks great. My biggest concern is the price. For a version with entry capabilities, it's significantly more expensive than CE My Family. For those of us who've suffered through a long period of unemployment in this US economy, that's a major issue.

Thanks again for the reply.

[KevinRPhillips]

Keith,

Here's the review by Peter Foot of the 2.14 release. (the current release is 2.71 and has a SIGNIFICANT number of enhancements)

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7480&start=0

All of the 2.x updates have been free updates. (That's over 3 years of free enhancements) You can get a list of the changes here:

http://www.northernhillssoftware.com/changelog.htm

There are 3 "levels" for Pocket Genealogist.

"Trial" - allows you to try out the program but won't allow you to enter data except for 5 fields notes. (You can have a total of 5 field notes at any point. If you add 5, process them, then delete them, you can add 5 more) This level does not allow "Direct" imports.

"Basic" - This is a full fledged version except you can't do data entry except for unlimited Field Notes. You also don't get "direct" Legacy or TMG imports. (You can however purchase the PAF add-on for direct PAF Version 5 imports - we are also working on FTM and hope to have that soon)

"Advanced" - full data entry and direct imports from Legacy and TMG. "Direct" PAF imports still require the add-on which is sold exclusively by Wholly Genes. (The Master Genealogist)

One distinguishing feature of Pocket Genealogist over any other program on the market is that practically ALL data can be transferred to the device. Events, Notes, Facts, Sources, Citations, To Do items, AKA's, etc. are all supported. We also use GEDCOM "profiles" that allow for a much better transfer of GEDCOM data and we support most of the commercially available genealogy programs on the market. We also use those profiles to determine which features are available for data entry and to dictate what the GEDCOM file looks like going back to the original program. (genealogy programs play fast and loose with the GEDCOM standard, you'll know what I mean if you've every tried to transfer data from one genealogy program to another)

I believe if you compare Pocket Genealogist "Basic" to CE My Family, you'll find that the data entry ability is similar. If you decide to go with the "Advanced" version, you get even better data entry and the ability to create GEDCOM's of your changed data so you don't have to retype it. (And version 2.80 of Pocket Genealogist will add direct updates back into Legacy Family tree)

You can get the (free) user guide here if you want to find out more details about Pocket Genealogist's capabilities.

http://www.northernhillssoftware.com/documents.htm

There are also a lot of screen prints on the website including those that are specific to Legacy and TMG.

If you decide to purchase the "Basic" version now, you can upgrade later to "Advanced" with no "penalty"... just the difference in cost between the two.

If Don is interested in doing a review we'd be happy to supply a review copy for his use. He can contact me at [email protected].

Kevin Phillips
Northern Hills Software

[KevinRPhillips]

Pocket Genealogist 2.80 is now available. This release adds a couple of very nice and much requested enhancements. This is a free upgrade for current users.

Major Changes:

(1) "Basic" now supports data entry.

(2) There is a new Ancestor and Descendant Tree View. "Basic" will allow display up to 3 generations at a time, "Advanced" up to 255.

(3) There is a new Backup/Restore function for your databases with the "Advanced" level.

(4) Both "Mounted" and "Object Store" memory databases are now supported. The old default was "Object Store" but the new default is "Mounted". The user guide has more details but in a nutshell if you have a large database or want to use the most memory efficient and fastest format, use "Object Store". However, you can't use the new backup function unless the database is "mounted".

Other Changes:
(1) The color selection screen for the "3-gen" display has been reworked to be more representative of the actual display.

(2) The "Edit", "Master Lists" menu now includes Source Type, To Do Category, Parent Relationships, Child Relationships, and Child Statuses.

(3) There is now an option of specifying the "port" that is used during synchronization. This may be helpful for those using a firewall program.

(4) Better support of PC-Ahnen 2004 GEDCOM imports.

You can get the downloads here including a new 2.80 User Guide.

Http://www.pocketgenealogist.com/download.htm

Enjoy!

Kevin R. Phillips
Northern Hills Software
mailto:[email protected]