Let me see if I can describe this problem, I have an ancestor to whom I am related via two branches of descent. This ancestor had two children and through multiple generations those two branches eventually merged through marriage to give me an ancestor. So the closer ancestor may be my 5th great grandfather, but the distant ancestor is my 10th great grandfather following one branch and 11th great on the other.

So all of a sudden FTM 2008 is confused and depending on how I navigate in the program to a person their relationship to me is messed up, and the relationship calculator tool just gives and says we are unrelated.

Any thoughts on addressing this issue? Did I explain it clearly enough?

Plummerh,

Family Tree Maker Version 2008 will only reflect ONE relationship, even if there is more than one.

However, you might want to take a look at the relationships coming down from where you see that you are not related. The Relationship Calculator should show A relationship.

Look at the Parent to Child relationships down to you.

Russ

Thanks Russ. Does the FTM 2009 do any better?

plummerh,

I think so. BUT, it resolved many other 2008 issues.

Russ

And there are many issues with 2008. Perhaps it is time to finally upgrade....

plummerh,

I don't normally suggest that anyone update. However, in the case of 2008, I do suggest that the update be made. Many of the 2008 issues are resolved with 2009.

Russ

May I suggest you take the time to check what is available in the other genealogy software. You never know, one of them might suit your needs better.

A very intriguing message Jaws. You must have something in mind.... I have ordered the upgrade to FTM 2009 and have a lot invested in the program with almost 700 individuals in my family tree with notes and links and pictures and so on.

But if there really is a better program out there that I could migrate my data to without too much difficulty, then I would certainly be interested.

I'm just saying that any time you upgrade is a good time to look at what else is available. Everyone tends to "stick to what they know" out of habit. If you don't investigate other softwares, you'll never know if another program is better or even if it will migrate the data without difficulty. Read reviews, google the software. That is exactly how I found my current software. My database contained well over 7000 individuals with nearly 3000 photos and notes on nearly every fact when I changed.

Will you tell us what you changed to? I have read reviews and FTM is always one of the top rated (especially user friendly). I have the 2005 verson and it was an upgrade. I have never put all my information into the software because I don't like it. When I am studying informtion, I loose my train of thought flipping around from screen to screen. Maybe I am just getting old and/or technology challenged.