Genealogical Software

The following software links may be useful, but should not be seen as any form of endorsement.

• Legacy - An advanced and popular genealogy program, that is used to organise the main Reffell database. The standard version can be downloaded for free from the website, and is often included on a CD with genealogy magazines. This version can also be upgraded to have many more functions using the same install for a moderate payment. There is an interactive facility to link with the Legacy website, although the content (as is the case with most genealogical programs) is heavily American biased.
• Family Tree Maker - Probably the most popular genealogy program in the world. Can be purchased with a range of CD data files, although these are heavily American based. For UK uses, the base program without the CD data is much cheaper and probably all that is needed. Owned by the Generations Network of Utah, who also own Ancestry Magazine and the my family.com, rootsweb.com and ancestry.com website families.
• PhpGedView - This is a genealogy program that is designed to be used online so that many users can share information. It allows global access to users so that they can read, edit and add data. The program is open source and has been released free of charge under a public license. It requires a web host which must be php-enabled.
• The Complete Genealogy Reporter - This program will read a GEDCOM file and create a customised document or web folder for any individual within the GEDCOM file.  These reports can incorporate all connected ancestral and descendant lines, plus indirect relationships via marriage or adoption, and can include photographs as well.
• Ancestral Author - A program that has been used on this site to produce the family tree pdf files from the main database GEDCOM files.