Genealogy Forum UK

Over the years I have hand drawn my family tree on a piece of lining paper. adding and altering bits and pieces as and when found. I now wish to draw my tree on the computer. I know there are proper programs etc but they never seem to work for me, I want one sheet with the whole lot drawn on it but with the ability to zoom in on various places and add and alter, the same as I do with the lining paper.
Does anyone else do it this way and if so could you please tell me what program you use?
Many thanks.

Hi John

I use Tribal Pages for the Black Country Connections tree that we are involved in
click on the website logo to left of my post.
You can do a free one but can't back it up so to save gedcom with all info you need to subscribe
to them it isn't a great deal each year and we find it easy to use.

The other one I have is a Family tree maker (old version) I like that you can do loads
with it.

I am sure others will be along with their prefs

I think most of the software have charting abilities that allow that, the problem is the computer screen is too small to be able to make out which branch is which when fully zoomed out.

Has anyone tried using a mind mapping program to do it? You could probably put names and dates on in boxes and connect it all up just like on a sheet of paper. And colour-code different branches.

Thanks for your replies, I will continue to play

I think the Family Tree maker gives you different versions of a printed tree
I have just checked and brought up the "All in One Family Tree"

- it Gives the All in one family Tree of a particular individual that you select from your tree.


-so you can go to an individual.....with dob and death date in box...dble click on an individs box ....and it brings up an individuals fact card.....with the following dialogue box
Facts/marriage/Address/Medical /Notes /Lineage

So you get the outline tree of individuals their dob and death in box on tree but you get box open with more info if you dble click