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Genealogy program for Mac

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  Genealogy program for Mac pfj@doesn't.exist.com (Peter James) - 2013-09-30 09:53 +0100
    Re: Genealogy program for Mac Lewis <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> - 2013-09-30 10:38 +0000
      Re: Genealogy program for Mac Bread <BreadWithSpam@Fractious.net> - 2013-09-30 14:56 -0700
    Re: Genealogy program for Mac Bo Davis <bodavis972@gmail.com> - 2013-09-30 05:46 -0500
    Re: Genealogy program for Mac Justan Oldfart <nobody@nowhere.com> - 2013-09-30 07:59 -0500
      Re: Genealogy program for Mac John McWilliams <jpmcw@comcast.net> - 2013-09-30 09:59 -0700
        Re: Genealogy program for Mac Gerry <xyz@abc.com> - 2013-09-30 10:08 -0700
          Re: Genealogy program for Mac Francois <xanrov@numericable.fr> - 2013-10-05 21:40 +0200
      Re: Genealogy program for Mac Calum <com.gmail@nospam.scottishwildcat> - 2013-09-30 20:31 +0100
    Re: Genealogy program for Mac PhillipJones <pjonescet@comcast.net> - 2013-09-30 14:36 -0400
      Re: Genealogy program for Mac PhillipJones <pjonescet@comcast.net> - 2013-09-30 14:50 -0400
        Re: Genealogy program for Mac PhillipJones <pjonescet@comcast.net> - 2013-09-30 15:02 -0400
    Re: Genealogy program for Mac Jim Jaeger <jimjaeger@verizon.net> - 2013-09-30 14:11 -0700
      Re: Genealogy program for Mac Lewis <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> - 2013-10-01 11:42 +0000
        Re: Genealogy program for Mac Francois <xanrov@numericable.fr> - 2013-10-05 21:36 +0200
          Re: Genealogy program for Mac Tim Powys-Lybbe <tim@powys.org> - 2013-10-06 13:51 +0100
    Re: Genealogy program for Mac pfj@doesn't.exist.com (Peter James) - 2013-10-01 07:41 +0100
      Re: Genealogy program for Mac Francois <xanrov@numericable.fr> - 2013-10-05 21:31 +0200
      Re: Genealogy program for Mac Francois <xanrov@numericable.fr> - 2013-10-05 21:33 +0200
      Re: Genealogy program for Mac Francois <xanrov@numericable.fr> - 2013-10-05 21:42 +0200
        Re: Genealogy program for Mac John McWilliams <jpmcw@comcast.net> - 2013-10-12 07:34 -0700

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#17839 — Genealogy program for Mac

At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
"Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
friendly to use.

Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
and to which I can import my current infromation?

Peter

-- 
-
The e-mail address obviously doesn't exist.  If it's essential
that you contact me then try peterATpfjamesDOTcoDOTuk

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#17841

In message <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com> 
  Peter James <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:
> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
> friendly to use.

> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
> and to which I can import my current infromation?

The only genealogy software for the Mac that I remember is Reunion.

All genealogy software should support GEDCOM.

There was also something called iFamily which was a little bit different
in its approach.

Family Tree Maker exists for the Mac. I suspect it's better than the
windows version.

I used Reunion a long long time ago (like, Mac OS 8 maybe?).


-- 
My biggest problem is that Steve insists on serving PURPLE Kool Aid, an
I don't like PURPLE <sip sip> Kool Aid.

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#17864

On 2013-09-30 10:38:42 +0000, Lewis said:

> In message <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>
>   Peter James <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:
>> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
>> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
>> friendly to use.
> 
>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
> 
> The only genealogy software for the Mac that I remember is Reunion.
> 
> All genealogy software should support GEDCOM.

I use MacFamilyTree.  It's got a pretty great interface, and there is a
corresponding iOS app, too.  And it's actively maintained.

I do have a complaint about how going from the previous generation to
the current generation (v7) they've moved the user files into a hidden
location.  Supposedly, it's in accordance to Apple's standards, but they
are demonstrably full of shit about that.   The downside is that now you
cannot leave your files in Dropbox and if you want to use/sync from multiple
computers, the only way is via iCloud.  Not a big deal if you are an iCloud
user, but a real annoyance if you aren't (or if you use iCloud for other
things but not "documents in the cloud".)

That all said, it's still a really nice program.  I hadn't been in the
market for a family tree program in the first place - it came as part of a
bundle I bought - and I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was and
how helpful it was.  I'm hooked now.

Definitely worth a try.

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#17842

I use MacFamilyTree. It is designed for the Mac. Very user friendly. 
Give it a try. It is available from the App Store for $49.99. You can 
also download a demo version at 
http://www.syniumsoftware.com/macfamilytree/.

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#17845

In article <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>, Peter James
<pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:

> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
> friendly to use.
> 
> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
> and to which I can import my current infromation?
> 
> Peter

I have experience with:

Reunion ($$) - probably the best
Family Tree Maker for Mac - has bugs (worse than Windows version)
Mac Family Tree - OK but has a learning curve
iFamily for Leopard - older but still works well on Mountain Lion

All will import your gedcom file and I think they all will let you try
before you buy.

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#17851

On 9/30/13   PDT 5:59 AM, Justan Oldfart wrote:
> In article <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>, Peter James
> <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:
>
>> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
>> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
>> friendly to use.
>>
>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>>
>> Peter
>
> I have experience with:
>
> Reunion ($$) - probably the best
> Family Tree Maker for Mac - has bugs (worse than Windows version)
> Mac Family Tree - OK but has a learning curve
> iFamily for Leopard - older but still works well on Mountain Lion
>
> All will import your gedcom file and I think they all will let you try
> before you buy.
>
I would endorse the Reunion app. If your GEDCOM doesn't import the way 
you want, trash the file in Reunion, export another one from the program 
you have, and import again till you get it the way you want.

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#17852

In article <l2cam7$kq9$1@dont-email.me>,
 John McWilliams <jpmcw@comcast.net> wrote:

> On 9/30/13   PDT 5:59 AM, Justan Oldfart wrote:
> > In article <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>, Peter James
> > <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:
> >
> >> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
> >> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
> >> friendly to use.
> >>
> >> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
> >> and to which I can import my current infromation?
> >>
> >> Peter
> >
> > I have experience with:
> >
> > Reunion ($$) - probably the best
> > Family Tree Maker for Mac - has bugs (worse than Windows version)
> > Mac Family Tree - OK but has a learning curve
> > iFamily for Leopard - older but still works well on Mountain Lion
> >
> > All will import your gedcom file and I think they all will let you try
> > before you buy.
> >
> I would endorse the Reunion app. If your GEDCOM doesn't import the way 
> you want, trash the file in Reunion, export another one from the program 
> you have, and import again till you get it the way you want.

I'm a former genealogy librarian with a state historical society and 
have used Reunion back to when it was first based on HyperCard, and I've 
tried the other programs and I've always come back to Reunion, besides 
it being a very easy program to use, the developers have always been 
responsive to questions and have continued to develop the program; and 
an added benefit is the Reunion Forums, where you can share and get help 
from fellow users.

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#18375

On 30/09/13 19:08, Gerry wrote:
> In article <l2cam7$kq9$1@dont-email.me>,
>   John McWilliams <jpmcw@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> On 9/30/13   PDT 5:59 AM, Justan Oldfart wrote:
>>> In article <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>, Peter James
>>> <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
>>>> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
>>>> friendly to use.
>>>>
>>>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>>>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>>>>
>>>> Peter
>>>
>>> I have experience with:
>>>
>>> Reunion ($$) - probably the best
>>> Family Tree Maker for Mac - has bugs (worse than Windows version)
>>> Mac Family Tree - OK but has a learning curve
>>> iFamily for Leopard - older but still works well on Mountain Lion
>>>
>>> All will import your gedcom file and I think they all will let you try
>>> before you buy.
>>>
>> I would endorse the Reunion app. If your GEDCOM doesn't import the way
>> you want, trash the file in Reunion, export another one from the program
>> you have, and import again till you get it the way you want.
>
> I'm a former genealogy librarian with a state historical society and
> have used Reunion back to when it was first based on HyperCard, and I've
> tried the other programs and I've always come back to Reunion, besides
> it being a very easy program to use, the developers have always been
> responsive to questions and have continued to develop the program; and
> an added benefit is the Reunion Forums, where you can share and get help
> from fellow users.
>
IMHO he best genealogy program, available for Mac and Windows is 
HEREDIS. It can, of course generate GEDCOM files.
I started using it about one year ago, with some family papers , to 
begin with , and I am now far in the middle of the seventeen's century, 
thanks to the fact that in France, where I live (being French), most of 
the civil and parochial registers are available on line for free.

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#17862

On 30/09/2013 13:59, Justan Oldfart wrote:

> Reunion ($$) - probably the best
> Family Tree Maker for Mac - has bugs (worse than Windows version)
> Mac Family Tree - OK but has a learning curve
> iFamily for Leopard - older but still works well on Mountain Lion

+1 for iFamily... reasonably-priced and the only one of the bunch that 
my wife found suited the way she likes to do her research and organise 
her materials.

-- 
Xbox: GallusNumpty  Steam: scottishwildcat

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#17857

Peter James wrote:
> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
> friendly to use.
>
> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>
> Peter
>
  check here: 
http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-genealogy-software/ppc-index.html?cmpid=422093&s_kwcid=TC|17114|genealogy%20programs%20for%20mac||S|p|20307075986&ef_id=UIcXAAAABAHSzBSs:20130930183532:s

-- 
Phillip M. Jones, C.E.T.      "If it's Fixed, Don't Break it"
http://www.phillipmjones.net    mailto:pjonescet@comcast.net

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#17858

PhillipJones wrote:
> Peter James wrote:
>> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
>> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
>> friendly to use.
>>
>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>>
>> Peter
>>
>   check here:
> http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-genealogy-software/ppc-index.html?cmpid=422093&s_kwcid=TC|17114|genealogy%20programs%20for%20mac||S|p|20307075986&ef_id=UIcXAAAABAHSzBSs:20130930183532:s
>
>
http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-genealogy-software/
<http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-genealogy-software/ppc-index.html?cmpid=422093s_kwcid=TC|17114|genealogy%20programs%20for%20mac||S|p|20307075986ef_id=UIcXAAAABAHSzBSs:20130930183532:s 

 >

 > >
-- 
Phillip M. Jones, C.E.T.      "If it's Fixed, Don't Break it"
http://www.phillipmjones.net    mailto:pjonescet@comcast.net

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#17859

PhillipJones wrote:
> PhillipJones wrote:
>> Peter James wrote:
>>> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
>>> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
>>> friendly to use.
>>>
>>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>>> and to which I can import my current information?
>>>
>>> Peter
>>>
>>   check here:
>> http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-genealogy-software/ppc-index.html?cmpid=422093&s_kwcid=TC|17114|genealogy%20programs%20for%20mac||S|p|20307075986&ef_id=UIcXAAAABAHSzBSs:20130930183532:s
>>
>>
>>
> http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-genealogy-software/
> <http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mac-genealogy-software/ppc-index.html?cmpid=422093s_kwcid=TC|17114|genealogy%20programs%20for%20mac||S|p|20307075986ef_id=UIcXAAAABAHSzBSs:20130930183532:s
>
>  >
>
>  > >
One last time the second URL is a Google search and resulted in 117 
character which is nonsense they could do better.

Here is the Tiny URL version: http://tinyurl.com/p4d6v54

-- 
Phillip M. Jones, C.E.T.      "If it's Fixed, Don't Break it"
http://www.phillipmjones.net    mailto:pjonescet@comcast.net

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#17863

In article <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>,
 pfj@doesn't.exist.com (Peter James) wrote:
> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
> and to which I can import my current infromation?
> 
My wife has been researching our families for twenty-five years. She 
started using Reunion at version 3 in 1993. (The leatherette-bound 
user manual is still in the bookcase.) Each time a new genealogy 
program is announced, I download a copy and and transfer her data 
over, asking her to give it a try. After about a week, she asks me to 
take the new program off her computer. We now have Reunion on iMacs, 
MacBook Airs, an iPod, and an iPad. 

Aside from being a top-line program, Reunion has an extremely 
user-friendly corporate structure. In moving from a very early Mac 
Plus through most hardware generations to a 2013 iMac and MacBook 
Airs, I've botched a transition or two. Leister Productions has never 
balked at getting me a replacement copy, whether on 3.5 floppy (v.4) 
or CD (v.7) or download (v.10). Great program, great company: We 
recommend both.

jim

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#17871

In message <jimjaeger-B118B3.14114430092013@news.eternal-september.org> 
  Jim Jaeger <jimjaeger@verizon.net> wrote:
> In article <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>,
>  pfj@doesn't.exist.com (Peter James) wrote:
>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>> 
> My wife has been researching our families for twenty-five years. She 
> started using Reunion at version 3 in 1993. (The leatherette-bound 
> user manual is still in the bookcase.)

I used to have that manual myself. But it's been years since I used it
(I've never even seen their non-Carbon OS X version). I do recall it was
impossible for me to enter step-parents back then, or step-children, or
adoptions.

I also used the LDS software back then (and got a lot of information
from then on a branch of my family I had no information on).


-- 
No man is free who is not master of himself

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#18374

On 01/10/13 13:42, Lewis wrote:
> In message <jimjaeger-B118B3.14114430092013@news.eternal-september.org>
>    Jim Jaeger <jimjaeger@verizon.net> wrote:
>> In article <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>,
>>   pfj@doesn't.exist.com (Peter James) wrote:
>>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>>>
>> My wife has been researching our families for twenty-five years. She
>> started using Reunion at version 3 in 1993. (The leatherette-bound
>> user manual is still in the bookcase.)
>
> I used to have that manual myself. But it's been years since I used it
> (I've never even seen their non-Carbon OS X version). I do recall it was
> impossible for me to enter step-parents back then, or step-children, or
> adoptions.
>
> I also used the LDS software back then (and got a lot of information
> from then on a branch of my family I had no information on).
>
>
The best genealogy program, available for Mac and Windows is  "HEREDIS". 
It can, of course generate GEDCOM files.
I started using it about one year ago, with some family papers , to 
begin with , and I am now far in the middle of the seventeen's century, 
thanks to the fact that in France, where I live (being French), most of 
the civil and parochial registers are available on line for free.

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#18378

On 05/10/2013 20:36, Francois wrote:
> On 01/10/13 13:42, Lewis wrote:
>> In message <jimjaeger-B118B3.14114430092013@news.eternal-september.org>
>>    Jim Jaeger <jimjaeger@verizon.net> wrote:
>>> In article <1la08mh.2bqhmn7c59umN%pfj@doesn't.exist.com>,
>>>   pfj@doesn't.exist.com (Peter James) wrote:
>>>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>>>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>>>>
>>> My wife has been researching our families for twenty-five years. She
>>> started using Reunion at version 3 in 1993. (The leatherette-bound
>>> user manual is still in the bookcase.)
>>
>> I used to have that manual myself. But it's been years since I used it
>> (I've never even seen their non-Carbon OS X version). I do recall it was
>> impossible for me to enter step-parents back then, or step-children, or
>> adoptions.
>>
>> I also used the LDS software back then (and got a lot of information
>> from then on a branch of my family I had no information on).
>>
>>
> The best genealogy program, available for Mac and Windows is  "HEREDIS".
> It can, of course generate GEDCOM files.
> I started using it about one year ago, with some family papers , to
> begin with , and I am now far in the middle of the seventeen's century,
> thanks to the fact that in France, where I live (being French), most of
> the civil and parochial registers are available on line for free.

The trouble with GEDCOM is that is not a standard that has any tests to 
check compliance.  So each genealogy program maker interprets what LDS 
(the writers of the GEDCOM 5.5 standard) wrote all those years ago. 
These interpretations are not all the same so you can (will, even) have 
troubles passing data from one program to another.

The best advice is not to create any new data fields in your source 
program; they will inevitably cause problems much as they will make 
better data structures for your needs.  Further, pictures and sound 
added to your source program is also likely to cause problems.  Keep it 
all simple.

And I use Reunion, the best, since 1994, the continual developments have 
made it better and better.  The support is good, too.

-- 
Tim Powys-Lybbe                                           tim@powys.org
              for a miscellany of bygones: http://powys.org/

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#17868

Peter James <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:

> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
> friendly to use.
> 
> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
> and to which I can import my current infromation?
> 
> Peter
Thank you for all of the advice.  That will give me something to ponder
on.  There's no rush as we're off on holiday next week, but I'll need to
do something for the start of my Family Research year which for me
starts in the late winter days of October.

Peter

-- 
-
The e-mail address obviously doesn't exist.  If it's essential
that you contact me then try peterATpfjamesDOTcoDOTuk

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#18372

On 01/10/13 08:41, Peter James wrote:
> Peter James <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:
>
>> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
>> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
>> friendly to use.
>>
>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>>
>> Peter
> Thank you for all of the advice.  That will give me something to ponder
> on.  There's no rush as we're off on holiday next week, but I'll need to
> do something for the start of my Family Research year which for me
> starts in the late winter days of October.
>
> Peter
>
The best genealogy program, available for Mac and Windows is HEREDIS. It 
can, of course generate GEDCOM files.
I started using it about one year ago, with some family papers , to 
begin with , and I am now far in the middle of the seventeen's century, 
thanks to the fact that in France, where I live (being French), most of 
the civil and parochial registers are available on line for free.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#18373

On 01/10/13 08:41, Peter James wrote:
> Peter James <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:
>
>> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
>> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
>> friendly to use.
>>
>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>>
>> Peter
> Thank you for all of the advice.  That will give me something to ponder
> on.  There's no rush as we're off on holiday next week, but I'll need to
> do something for the start of my Family Research year which for me
> starts in the late winter days of October.
>
> Peter
>
The best genealogy program, available for Mac and Windows is HEREDIS. It 
can, of course generate GEDCOM files.
I started using it about one year ago, with some family papers , to 
begin with , and I am now far in the middle of the seventeen's century, 
thanks to the fact that in France, where I live (being French), most of 
the civil and parochial registers are available on line for free.

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#18376

On 01/10/13 08:41, Peter James wrote:
> Peter James <pfj@doesn't.exist.com> wrote:
>
>> At present I'm doing my family research on a Windows computer using
>> "Family Tree Maker".  I find the latter to be clunky and not at all
>> friendly to use.
>>
>> Can anyone recommend a program for genealogy that will work on the Mac
>> and to which I can import my current infromation?
>>
>> Peter
> Thank you for all of the advice.  That will give me something to ponder
> on.  There's no rush as we're off on holiday next week, but I'll need to
> do something for the start of my Family Research year which for me
> starts in the late winter days of October.
>
> Peter
>
The best genealogy program, available for Mac and Windows is HEREDIS. It 
can, of course generate GEDCOM files.
I started using it about one year ago, with some family papers , to 
begin with , and I am now far in the middle of the seventeen's century, 
thanks to the fact that in France, where I live (being French), most of 
the civil and parochial registers are available on line for free.

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