Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) Reviews

(based on 13 reviews)

4 of 7 people found this review helpful

If you want to simply compile a database of your family tree members--and do NOT want to create an on-line account, especially if you have NO desire to have your information stored and/or published on the so-called cloud, then this is NOT the program for you. Since the on-line account is mandatory, then I presume a 24/7 internet connection is as well, which many of us do NOT have.

They say it's free to download, but WITHOUT forewarning you on their website (that I could see) or at the start of the download process that you will have to sign-up in order to complete the installation, which is as far as I am concerned a devious trap. Also, if in internet connection is necessary to use the program as I mentioned above, then they also fail to forewarn you of that vital information, which is necessary to make an informed decision on which software package to download and use.

Since you cannot op-out of this requirement for an on-line account, you must go about uninstalling the program, which of course is not an issue except for the fact that it leaves artifacts of itself in various folders and in your registry, the... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

8 of 14 people found this review helpful

If you want to simply compile a database of your family tree members--and do NOT want to create an on-line account, especially if you have NO desire to have your information stored and/or published on the so-called cloud, then this is NOT the program for you. Since the on-line account is mandatory, then I presume a 24/7 internet connection is as well, which many of us do NOT have.

They say it's free to download, but WITHOUT forewarning you on their website (that I could see) or at the start of the download process that you will have to sign-up in order to complete the installation, which is as far as I am concerned a devious trap. Also, if in internet connection is necessary to use the program as I mentioned above, then they also fail to forewarn you of that vital information, which is necessary to make an informed decision on which software package to download and use.

Since you cannot op-out of this requirement for an on-line account, you must go about uninstalling the program, which of course is not an issue except for the fact that it leaves artifacts of itself in various folders and in your registry, the... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

24 of 43 people found this review helpful

Let see, I had this program for a number of years, first thing when ire-installed it , I got an email from a question I asked someone who posted my Grandfather was a Twin, He was not.Secondly when I started adding in about my Grandfather , they said his birthday was incorrect, now I have the bible and the newspaper obituary in front of me. After 7 tries and its telling me in red the birthday was incorrect, was in correct, please try again, I moved over to my Mothers Mothers birthday, again it would do anything. At that point I quit, next when I look up my Grandfather was married to my Mothers Mother. So I have had enough.

I would not recommend Heritage Family tree builder.

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

128 of 225 people found this review helpful

I have been a ftb user for a number of years now I can honestly say I have not really had many problems using either the site or ftb. my big problem was syncing to web site with ftb after I upgraded to windows 10 now the problem is fixed yes it took a while to sort but the support staff never gave up and were only happy when I was happy the problem was fixed they kept me up to date with any fixes to try.
yes I would advise anyone to use this software and the company its very easy and intuitive to use even for first time users . very quick to install and get up and running.

a suggestion to support can you please make the duplicate finder find duplicates and merge them into one for example 80-100% so if a mistake is made where 2 complete branches were added containing the same people merge them all into one branch containing the different names IE if the branches had 2 john smiths married to Jane smith they would merge into one branch containing 1 john smith and 1 Jane smith.

In summary, I would recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

149 of 275 people found this review helpful

Many thanks to the support team for information concerning my change of computer. It turned out to be piece of cake for me.

I have now been a user for app. 4 yrs. My Heritage suits me perfect. And due to Smart Matches I have got in contact with Family in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and naturally here in Denmark. I have received valuable information and am saved for many, many hours of work.

In summary, I would recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

155 of 284 people found this review helpful

I'm using FTB program and I think it's easy and interactive. I only had a little problem to sincronize my family tree with a family site at My Heritage, but it's solved with some e-mails between me and MyHeritage support. Now my family tree is ok.

In summary, I would recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

185 of 345 people found this review helpful

I tried My Heritage Family Tree Builder and made a GEDCOM file that I imported into PAF. I got a whole long list of _UID errors and a bunch of marriages of unknown people. So I tried importing it into another popular program, Legacy Family Tree. Same problems there. I say don't waste your time with My Heritage Family Tree Builder. It makes really weird GEDCOM files that don't seem to import well into the few other programs I tried them on.

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

187 of 350 people found this review helpful

I obtained FTB as a freebie from of the computer magazines a number of years ago. It started me in Family History, and I have been very happy with the free version. I find the EXCEL import and export feature to be its greatest asset. I have searched as far as I can without trying them, other programs and they do not have this feature.

I have had no problem with the numbers limit. I have over 3000 people in it. I do not publish to the web server as I am online with another company.
It does irritate me that each time I open it, it opens the website.

I do recommend it to others.

In summary, I would recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

201 of 342 people found this review helpful

I was confused at first when I reached the magic number, I think 250, discovered it ONLY applies to PUBLISHING, you can still add names for storage on your own hard drive at home. If you wish to share further data, you should just have to get a copy of your database file directly to the family member you wish to share with, then they should only have to copy and paste the file in the folder labeled 'Database' it's listed as a filetype Compressed GEDCOM file. I do it frequently when I've made updates at home and wish to continue updates at in my spare time at work, you just have to install the Family Tree Builder program on the remote site and replace the existing datafile with the one with the latest changes, you still can't add to the server site file but you can still build your family tree and share with select others. You still get 'Smart Match' notifications on what's on the original 250 names on the server but not on what is stored off-site. You still have access to all the free report and chart generation features on your 'expanded database'.

In summary, I would recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.

242 of 426 people found this review helpful

The program is good but it is not free as advertised. I have been using it for several years believing that it is free as stated, I spent sometime building my family tree, I put in a lot of information and one day I find myself blocked, with a note saying that I have reached the maximum entries of 250 and I have to subscribe to Premium and pay either monthly or buy the program.

I felt frustrated, I didn't like the way these guys work. If it is not free, and is limited why they didn't say so from the start, why put users to no alternative either buy or quit. I don't like this kind of dealing, and something must be done about it. Therefore I don't recommend it

In summary, I would not recommend Family Tree Builder (by My Heritage) to a friend.