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All the latest news and information from Chronoplex Software.

My Family Tree 11.0 now available

Today we are excited to announce the release of My Family Tree 11 available now from the latest updates page.

This major release adds full support for GEDCOM 7.0 which introduces a number of incredibly useful features for users of genealogy applications and services.

What's new in GEDCOM 7.0?
gedzip

Multimedia - Arguably one of the most significant improvements for GEDCOM 7.0 is the new GEDZIP format.  GEDZIP can be used to package a GEDCOM file and associated multimedia in a single file (similar to the way our familyx format works).  This makes it much easier for users to transfer all their data and multimedia between different genealogy apps and services.  GEDCOM files packaged with GEDZIP have a .gdz file extension.  Users of My Family Tree will see that standalone GEDCOM files and GEDZIP files have a smart set of icons, making it easy to see what you're working with.

Formatted notes - GEDCOM now officially supports formatted notes.  Many applications already supported formatted notes and this is a useful enhancement which means that note formatting can now be reliably preserved between different applications.

Associations - GEDCOM now officially supports associations on events and attributes.  This means that other participants and witnesses to events can now be linked in a standard way making it possible for this information to be reliably transferred between different applications.

Negative assertions - GEDCOM now supports recording that events that did not happen or attributes did not apply within a specified given date period.

How do I use GEDCOM 7.0?

The next time you export a GEDCOM file from My Family Tree, you will spot a new version option.  Simply pick version 7.0 over version 5.5.1.  By default, your GEDCOM file will be packaged using GEDZIP, although it just takes a single click to switch to a traditional standalone GEDCOM file instead.

Should I use GEDCOM 7.0?

Naturally, it will take time for developers to add support GEDCOM 7.0 to their applications and services.  If you are using modern applications or services which support GEDCOM 7.0, then you can go ahead and try out GEDCOM 7.0 today.  You are likely to find the process of transferring your data much simpler.

What about GEDCOM 5.5.1?

It's important to remember that the last version of GEDCOM has been around for over 20 years and is still extensively used.  Many older or out of support applications will only ever support GEDCOM 5.5.1 files.  Some users have extensive scripts or toolings which are built on GEDCOM 5.5.1 and work reliably.  As such, My Family Tree will retain full support for GEDCOM 5.5.1.  GEDCOM export will also default to version 5.5.1 until GEDCOM 7.0 is in widespread use.

Upgrading from earlier versions

My Family Tree requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 which is supported on Windows 10 (1607 and later), Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 (SP1 only).
Users of the Microsoft Store version of My Family Tree will automatically receive the update.  For all other users the new version is available now ....

Published 07 Jun 2021 22:00

FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 released

celebration

Today, FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 was officially released. This represents the first meaningful update to GEDCOM in over 20 years. Congratulations to the experts, developers, and GEDCOM enthusiasts whose contributions have helped to deliver this impressive and much needed update.

Head over to GEDCOM.io for full details.

We are pleased to announce that our highly successful GEDCOM Validator and My Family Tree applications now include full support for GEDCOM 7.0.  Enjoy!

Published 07 Jun 2021 22:00

My Family Tree 10.9 now available

Today we are excited to announce the release of My Family Tree 10.9 available now from the latest updates page.

This release contains several new features and changes in the following areas:

  • Formatted notes
  • Family crests
  • Quick edit for key facts
  • New chart features
  • Support for modern image formats
  • New and updated translations
Formatted notes

All notes and verbatim text fields now support formatting in a redesigned editor. Formatting is fully compatible with accessible themes.

the formatted note editor
Family crests

A family crest can be assigned to each individual in the tree in the photos and story view.  If you set the family crest on the primary person in a tree, it will also be displayed for members of that tree who do not have their own crest specified.  Family crests can be set in the Person⯈Photos and story view.

setting a family crest
Quick edit for key facts

You can now quickly edit a person's primary occupation, and primary contact address, directly from the edit details panel and family data grid. As with other key events such as birth and death, you can add additional information such as dates and notes in the facts view.

quick editing an occupation
New chart features

You can now make additional customisations to the display of text in the chart.  You can choose from a range of different abbreviation styles for key phrases such as birth and death, as well as display birth, death, and marriage places, or primary occupations.  Even formatted notes can be displayed.  Arabic text is now correctly shaped when drawn on a curved path.

new chart text display options
Support for modern image formats

On Windows 10, you can now add WebP, HEIF, and RAW images to your trees.  You may need to install the WebP Image Extensions, HEIF Image Extensions, and RAW Image Extensions apps from the Microsoft Store.

New and updated translations

If you have ever used My Family Tree in a language other than English, this has been made possible by a group of dedicated users who have contributed a translation at some point over the last decade.

This release adds new Hungarian, and Indonesian translation.  Updates were also made to the Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish translations.

Any one wishing to contribute to the My Family Tree project can help by updating an existing translation or adding a translation for your language into your language.  Our localisation toolkit provides everything you need including full instructions.

General fixes and improvements

A number of performance improvements have been made in this release.  All reproducible bugs reported to us have been fixed in this release.  You are encouraged to use the problem reporting tool to send reports of issues if they occur.  If you have any difficulties upgrading to version 10, please reach out to us via the support form.

Upgrading from earlier versions

My Family Tree requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 which is supported on Windows 10 (1607 and later), Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 (SP1 only).
Users of the Microsoft Store version of My Family Tree will automatically receive the update.  For all other users the new version is available now ....

Published 21 Feb 2021 13:00