Frequently Asked Questions about Products
What is the latest version of Family Historian?
The latest version is 5.0.0.
I already own a previous version of Family Historian. How can I upgrade?
If you have version 3 or earlier, you need to buy and install the full version of Family Historian 5 (boxed or as a download). When you install it, it will detect that you already have a version installed, and automatically upgrade you. If you have version 4, you can buy a CD or downloadable upgrade from version 4 – or if you prefer, you can buy the full version (boxed or as a download) of version 5.
How can I find out which version I have?
See Understanding Family Historian Version Numbers for an explanation of how Family Historian version numbers work. To find out which version you have, run Family Historian and click on “About Family Historian…” on the Help menu.
What are the system requirements for Family Historian 5?
Family Historian runs on Windows 7, Vista, and XP, on both 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Windows. It does not run on the Apple Mac (except perhaps under a Windows emulator if you have one). You need a CD-ROM drive and approximately 40Mb of hard disk space to store the program and accompanying files. It will run quite happily on any PC that meets the minimum requirements of Windows itself.
Do all previous versions of Family Historian run on Windows 7, Vista, and XP – including 64-bit versions?
Version 4 and version 3 do. If you have one of the very early editions of version 2 CDs, you may need to download a free additional installation file to get the installation to work on Windows 7 and Vista, or on 64 bit versions of XP (see CD-Backed Installers for more details).
What are the new features in version 5?
I have a lot of data in another family tree program. Can I transfer my data to Family Historian, and if so, how?
Create a new project and import your data directly into Family Historian from your previous genealogy program, if it is in a format that Family Historian recognises. If you want to merge the data into an existing project, you can do so after you have first imported it into a new temporary project.
Alternatively, export your data from your current family tree program in the form of a GEDCOM file. Then you can either import that into a new project, or merge or append the data into an existing project.
Is there a trial version of Family Historian that I can try out?
Yes – see Family Historian 5 (30-day free trial).
I would like to be able to display all of my family and all of my wife’s family in one diagram. Would that be possible using your All Relatives diagram?
Yes. All of Family Historian diagrams can be based either on individuals or on couples. In any case, you can also insert additional family trees into any diagram – as many as you like.
When printing a tree that covers several pages of paper, is it possible to get Family Historian to ensure that text about people and pictures do not overlap the edges of pages?
Yes – you can get Family Historian to ensure that text and pictures do not overlap either side edges or top edges or both.
How far back can you specify dates? Can you indicate that dates are approximate?
The earliest date that Family Historian will let you enter is 9999 B.C. and the latest is 9999 A.D. Dates can be entered as ‘approximate’. Nearly all dates can be entered as a range (between.., before.., after..), as a textual phrase (e.g. “2 weeks after his wife died”), as a period (from.., to.., or from … to …), as a quarter date (e.g. Q2 1989), or as a simple date. Alternative calendars can be used, in addition to the Gregorian calendar.
Is there a version for the Apple Mac?
No. You may be able to run Family Historian under a Windows emulator, such as Virtual PC.
I gather that Family Historian comes with an eBook called “Getting the Most From Family Historian 5”. Will I be able to print it out?
Yes. The book is installed as a PDF file – that is, it requires a program called Acrobat Reader to view it. If you don’t already have Acrobat Reader, you can download it free from the Adobe website (www.adobe.com). If you wish to print the book yourself, you can do so. You could also take the PDF file to your local print shop and get them to print it for you (just search for “Getting the Most From Family Historian 5″ on your hard disk, to locate the file).
Is it possible to buy a bound, printed copy of “Getting the Most From Family Historian 5”?
Yes – see Getting the Most From Family Historian 5.
Are multi-user licences available?
Yes. Multi-user Licences are available for schools, colleges and other institutions. See Multi-User Licences for more details.